Today’s vehicles are equipped with airbags to protect you and your occupants, and these systems include several parts that are supposed to work together for proper function.
If you have a faulty airbag control module, then as a result your airbag may not protect you as it was designed to.
I will look at the symptoms of a faulty airbag control module, talk about the replacement process, and look at the costs. Let’s start with a quick look at the signs to watch out for.
The Function of an Airbag Control Module
All vehicles manufactured after 1988 have an airbag control module to operate the airbag system, a crucial safety feature. Seat belts provide the first line of defense in a crash. Airbags are supplemental to the seat belts.
The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) or airbag system has been installed in any vehicle manufactured after 1998. For the system to operate correctly, a variety of sensors are used from aka the “airbags” and the “airbag clock spring” that is attached to the driver’s side airbag and steering column.
The system receives data from Seat Belts and any other airbags in the car, such as curtain airbags located in the roof and knee airbags.
All of this data is sent to the airbag control module. The airbag control module is also referred to as the airbag electronic control unit or SRS control module. This part is basically the brain of the SRS and is what allows for a seamless operation of all SRS parts.
The airbag control module is monitoring all of the data sent to the various sensors. This is how it determines if and when a crash occurs.
When airbags are needed, the module activates the Supplemental Restraint System parts (appropriate airbags) to minimize the severity of the crash on the occupants involved.
The airbag control module is also responsible for determining if the airbags should deploy during a crash. Inside the airbag control module, there is information recorded during a crash that is calculated.
This includes seatbelt usage, brake usage, throttle position and vehicle speed. This data can be downloaded by a technician for review after the incident has occurred.
How Does the Airbag Control Module Work?
An airbag control module is essential to vehicle safety today. Known as the “brain” of the airbag system, the airbag control module is responsible for determining if and how airbags should deploy in the event of a collision.
Using various sensors located throughout the vehicle, the airbag control module monitors driving conditions to provide real-time safety protection to passengers.
The airbag control module does this with a network of various sensors, including accelerometers and impact sensors, which are able to detect rapid deceleration, collisions, or rollovers.
After the detection of an impact, the sensors send signals to the airbag control module. It then processes the data and takes numerous variables into account, including the severity of the impact, speed of the vehicle, seatbelt status, and the position of occupants.
When the airbag control module determines that the conditions of a crash warrant deployment, it deploys the appropriate airbags in milliseconds. Airbag deployment needs to occur in a window of time that can prevent or lessen injury to occupants in the vehicle.
Symptoms Of A Bad Airbag Control Module
The most common symptom of a faulty airbag control module is the airbag warning light illuminated on your dashboard, probably the only symptom you will notice.
The other symptom is that the airbags will not deploy in an accident and that is not something you would like to have happen.
Here is more in-depth information on the various symptoms of a faulty airbag control module:
#1. SRS Warning Lights.
The airbag control module is part of the Supplemental Restraint System in your vehicle. If there is an issue with this important part, then the SRS warning light will light up for your knowledge.
However, the SRS warning light can indicate any number of issues. The airbag control module can relate to the other problems mentioned such as a bad sensor, a malfunctioning clock spring, or an incorrect seat belt pre-tensioner. If you do have an OBDII scanner that has SRS capability, you can pinpoint the issue easily.
#2. Airbags Don’t Deploy.
When there is a problem with the airbag system, you are putting yourself and others at risk should an accident occur. The SRS light could be on, but there could still be a malfunction without warning.
The only way you will know that something is wrong with the airbag system is by finding out the air bags do not deploy during an accident. No one wants this discovery, which is what makes it important to scan for any trouble codes when you suspect a problem.
Airbag Control Module Location
Once you discover a problem with this critical component, you want to know where the airbag control module is located. Unfortunately, there is no uniform location for airbag control modules in individual vehicles.
Your airbag control module could be found residing in the front fascia, engine, front bumper area, or even in the passenger seat position.
The best place to locate the airbag control module location and its replacement is your owner’s manual. After you change the airbag control module, you may want your OBDII scanner to clear the fault codes.
Airbag Control Module Replacement Cost
Usually, the average airbag control module replacement cost is around $600 – $700. The labor will cost about $90 – $120 with the parts costing around $510.
Most people will never have to replace the airbag control module because this part is designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle and, therefore, is not a significant expense.
However, you should NEVER continue driving once the SRS warning light is on. If the airbag control module is faulty or failing, it places you, and any passengers, at risk of injury or worse if you did have a vehicle crash because the Supplemental Restraint System (airbags) will not work properly.
An OBDII scanner that is SRS enriched will usually be able to provide you useful information to diagnose the system for yourself. It may even be possible for you to replace the airbag control module if you have some simple tools and knowledge, saving you MORE money by avoiding the labor pricing.
Once you have replaced the airbag control module, you may again require your OBDII scanner to reset the codes and turn that SRS light off.
Airbag control modules are designed to last the life of a vehicle, however, other various factors sometimes does NOT allow this to happen. If you believe your airbag control module is bad or failing or you want to be sure it is good, it is best to get your vehicle inspected by a professional as soon as possible.