When your vehicle’s airbags are deployed, whether partially or fully the airbag light comes on and will not go out until the issue is resolved. While this may not necessarily affect your car’s performance, it will definitely earn you a ticket. And potentially set of a trigger warning sound every once in a while.
To avoid this, you have to reset the air bag light. Either by fixing the fault or by removing the code. Keep reading to learn how to reset Isuzu Dmax airbag light.
How do you turn off passenger airbag in Isuzu Dmax?
Not every model by every manufacturer has the same system or the same steps to disable the passenger airbag. You need to read the manufacturer’s manual which will give you all the steps that need to be taken.
But the passenger airbag can be deactivated if the car is equipped with a Passenger Airbag Cut Off Switch (PACOS). In most cases, to disable the airbag you need to have the ignition switched off to avoid any possible malfunctions.
The PACOS is usually located in the passenger side of the dash board. It may be on the dashboard itself, in the glovebox or on the side of the dash so that you need to open the passenger door to access the switch.
The switch will have two positions ‘on’ and ‘off’. To move the switch from one position to another you need a special key that you insert into the switch and turn. There is usually a confirmation that the airbag is deactivated with the illumination of one of the control lights in the dashboard.
If the passenger airbag has been activated/deactivated before the car has been started, the message is shown in the driver display, as well as the following indication in the roof console, approximately 6 seconds after the car has been started. Confirm the message by pressing the right-hand steering wheel keypad’s O button.
Check this too: How To Reset An Airbag Light And Code
You must check that the airbag can actually be deactivated. Not all models offer this option, especially older vehicles. If the car is not equipped with a switch to activate/deactivate the passenger airbag, the airbag will always be activated.
Safety Warning
- If you can’t deactivate the passenger airbag it is recommended that all children travel in the rear seats.
- Remember, DO NOT deactivate the front passenger airbag if you’re using a front facing child seat.
Notes:
- If the passenger airbag is deactivated, sometimes the electric seatbelt tensioner on the passenger side will also be deactivated.
- There is a penalty for drivers who place a rearward-facing child car seat in the front where there is an active airbag. You may receive at least three penalty points on your driving licence if caught.
- Remember to re-activate the airbag whenever the seat is going to be occupied by a passenger.
Can you clean an airbag code?
It depends on the type of code.
There are two types of codes:
- Soft Codes
- Hard Codes
Soft Codes
Yes, most scanners can clear soft airbag codes after the problem is solved. These are codes that indicate a fault with an SRS system part/component such as ;
- Driver airbag codes
- Seat belt codes
- Impact sensor codes
Hard Codes
No, scanners cannot clear these codes. These codes are stored after a vehicle accident and are also known as crash data. Also, these codes are hardware issue codes. Hard Codes require professional reset services.
How to reset the airbag light with a scanner
Follow these steps to reset the airbag light;
Check the passenger airbag switch
Some cars have a “passenger seat Airbag on/off button.” This is the first thing you should check when you want to remove the airbag light. Maybe someone before you turned it to Off by mistake, which will make the airbag light stay on in most cars.
This button is usually on the dashboard on the passenger side, and you may see it if you open the passenger door or the glove box.
Read the trouble codes with an OBD2 Scanner
Working with your airbag system is crucial, and therefore, always read the trouble codes with an OBD2 scanner to get an idea of where to start your troubleshooting. Do never clear the trouble codes before you fix the problem caused by the airbag light. Read the codes and get information about what can cause the problem and therefore continue the diagnosis.
Repair the fault
You should never just reset the airbag light without repairing the problem. This can deploy the airbags or non-functioning if an accident occurs. Let a professional replace the airbag’s parts if you are not sure of how to do it. Remember always to remove the battery connection when working with airbags. The airbag light will often go away by itself after repairing the problem, but not in all car models.
Clear the trouble codes
After you have installed the new parts and are 100% sure that the parts are installed correctly, it’s time to reset the engine light. To do this – you need to use an OBD2 scanner, and it’s not possible in another way. Reset the airbag light and make sure that it disappeared from the dashboard. If it is still there – reread the codes and check for any trouble codes.
Restart your car and test-drive.
If the airbag light seems to have gone away from your dashboard – restart your ignition and go for a test drive. If the airbag light is gone after a test drive, there is a big chance that the problem is solved. If the problem comes back, reread the codes and continue the procedure.
How to reset airbag light without a Scanner
It is impossible in most car models to reset the airbag light without a scanner. This is for safety cautions because you should always repair the fault after the airbag light occurred. Luckily, in many car models, the airbag light will also go away by itself if you have repaired the problem.
In some older cars, though, it is possible to reset the airbag light without a scanner by removing the car battery terminals.
Check the wiring system underneath the driver or passenger seat for any loose wires or corrosion in the connector plug. Spray the connector plugs with an electronic cleaner and restart your car.
How to Reset Airbag Light
Follow these steps to reset the airbag light;
Turn Your Ignition on and Off.
This procedure is the same as resetting the airbag light on a Toyota Camry and should be the first thing to do when you encounter the same issue. It entails four simple steps that are easy to follow and requires timing the airbag light.
First, turn the ignition switch on. Next, wait for the airbag light to turn on – it normally stays lit for seven seconds before shutting itself off. Then, immediately turn off the ignition switch, and wait three seconds. Repeat the initial steps once or twice before starting the engine. If everything is done correctly, your car’s airbag light should come on for seven seconds before shutting off for good.
Restart Your Vehicle and Do a Test Drive.
Like your mobile phone, your car may need a power cycle. However, this will not work for all vehicles. But for those that seem to glitch now and then, it just might. You would know to take this step if the airbag light does not stay on too long. Restart your ignition, then go for a short drive. If the airbag light goes away permanently afterward, the problem is most likely solved. If not, proceed to perform the other items in this list.
Note: Before restarting your vehicle, examine the wiring system underneath the driver and passenger seats. Look for any loose wires or rust formation in the connector plug. If none, spray the connector plugs with an electronic cleaner.
Examine the Passenger Airbag Switch.
The passenger seat airbag on/off button (only available in some cars) should be one of the first things to check when attempting to shut off the airbag light. It is possible that someone turned it off erroneously, causing the airbag light to stay on. This button is normally on the dashboard on the passenger side but is sometimes visible once you open the glove box or passenger door.
Inspect Whether Seat Belts Are Fastened or Working Correctly.
Since the SRS deals with driver/passenger security, sensing loose or poorly strapped seatbelts can trigger the airbag light to come on. Even non-use of seat belts can automatically disable the airbag. That said, ensure proper function of seatbelts and seat belt sensors is in your rule-out list. Mechanics would advise the same to those doing a Jeep Wrangler airbag light reset.
You may find it incredulous, but simple things like spare change can render seat belt sensors defective. Often, change is placed close to the seat belt fasteners, and a small bump or pothole can get a small coin into the fastener and in-between the sensor and the buckle. When this happens, the sensor may not recognize when a seat belt fastens, activating the airbag light in the process.
Before replacing your sensors, check inside the buckle and see if anything is stuck inside. Usually, taking out any obstructions inside the seat belt fastener is not as expensive as most vehicle owners think. However, the reverse is true if your seat belt components cannot be replaced individually and the sensors are embedded in the seat belt.
Verify That the Passenger Seat Sensor Is Not Applied.
Select vehicles have an overly sensitive passenger weight sensor. The trouble with these specific cars is that the sensors easily trip just by placing a large box or container on the passenger seat. As a result, the airbag light turns on.
There are two options to address this – either remove the object from the passenger seat or hook up the seatbelt. If the latter solves the problem, it would confirm the sensor was applied, causing the airbag light to illuminate. If the airbag light turns off after fastening the seat belt, but nothing is in the seat, it would mean a faulty passenger seat sensor. You can then determine if you want to replace the sensor or keep the seat belt buckled up whenever you drive.
Use a Scanner With an SRS or Airbag Light Reset Option.
If you are mechanically inclined, you can purchase a scanner with SRS capability to perform an airbag light reset. Just know that not all OBD-II devices are automatically airbag light reset tools. Purchasing an OBD-II scanner with your needed feature warrants a bit of research. Get a airbag light reset tool that tool displays error codes. This will help you to figure out how to fix the issue or when it is best to take your vehicle to a mechanic.
Address Faulty Airbag Sensors.
Sensors play a big part in a car’s function, especially with more recent vehicle makes and models. For one, sensors ensure airbags deploy in the event of a fender bender. The SRS particularly works with the aid of multiple sensors installed in different vehicle parts/components. If any one of these sensors corrode, break, or stop working, you are certain to see the airbag light on.
In some cases, airbag sensors act up – activating all of a sudden and for no apparent reason. They can also fail and throw the SRS light on if the car has suffered water damage. There are situations, too, where the airbag system control unit may have just gone bad. When any of these occur, replacing the bad sensors, control unit, or water-damaged components may solve the problem.
Fix or Replace a Non-Working Clock Spring.
Otherwise known as a spiral cable, coil assembly, contact reel, or cable reel assembly, the clock spring is a major component that, when broken or damaged, can cause the airbag light to turn on. It is not only one of the most common reasons behind a flashing airbag light but also among the most expensive to fix (at least $400). You can save up on costs if you change the clock spring yourself – provided you take extreme caution and adhere to manufacturer instructions.
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If you suspect it is the cause of your airbag light activating, you will need to access the inside of the steering wheel (view on Amazon) to fix it. This should be no cause for worry as the entire process is simple and takes only 10 steps and less than 20 minutes to complete:
How to Fix a Clock Spring
- Remove the negative battery cable from the terminal; Wait for the capacitors to discharge for at least 10-15 minutes.
- With the wheels straight, hold the wheel’s center section (the location of the airbag) in place and locate the screws. Then, unscrew them.
- Remove the airbag by pulling it towards you and remove the connectors (you may use a pick to slide the yellow clips out when doing this).
- Turn the steering wheel left to right to expose the screws that hold the steering column trim in place.
- With the steering lock engaged, use two pieces of painter’s tape to mark the spot between the steering wheel and steering column trim. This will come in handy when returning the steering wheel to its original position later on.
- Loosen the steering wheel nut with a breaker bar without removing it completely.
- Remove the nut and wheel once the wheel is loose, exposing the clock spring.
- To remove the clock spring, disconnect the harnesses at the bottom or back. Replace the old one with a new clock spring. Break the tab off by bending it until it snaps.
- Refer to your tape marks to line up the steering wheel properly when reinstalling.
- Tighten the steering column nut to the specified torque with a torque wrench (or your hands and a breaker bar); Install the harnesses along with the airbag.
- Reinstall the lower steering column (view on Amazon) trim piece and reconnect the negative battery terminal. You should no longer have a flashing airbag light when done with this final step.
Ensure the Airbag Is Not Defective.
Although rare, faulty airbags are not unheard of. It could be the reason behind having difficulty in resetting the airbag light. If it does turn out to be the culprit, know that this is not something you can tackle on your own. Resolving this problem entails professional help – and a few hundred dollars.
Depending on your vehicle’s make and model and how intricate the SRS is, replacing airbags typically fall between $200 and $1,000 (without labor fees). Labor costs vary depending on which airbag is faulty. Driver-side airbags have proven easier to replace compared to side or passenger airbags. Hence fees are more expensive when working on the latter. Either can be expensive but not something you would want to procrastinate on.
Seek Assistance from a Professional.
Take your car to a mechanic if all else fails. This route will be more expensive, but the mechanic should correctly identify the cause of your flashing airbag light and permanently solve the problem. Unlike tech-savvy drivers, new vehicle owners would primarily consider this as their first course of action.
How to Reset Hard Codes and Clear Airbag Computer Crash Data
Should you decide to rebuild a car that has been involved in an accident, you willneed to replace the SRS computer, since it has a hard code inside that can’t be erased and you’ll be stuck with an airbag light on.
The airbag computer controls the supplemental restraint system in your vehicle, including the airbag sensors, inflators and seat belt pretensioners. It also acts as a black box when you get into a major collision that involved airbag deployment.
Follow the steps below to clear the crash data from the airbag computer and reprogram it with clean virgin data.
Remove the Airbag Computer
It is located underneath the dashboard. The bottom half needs to be removed to access it. Remember to disconnect the battery before working on SRS system.
Disassemble the Airbag Computer
Disassemble the Airbag Computer and locate the 8 pin SMD EEPROM chip that stores the crash data, it should say L56R on it.
Solder and Hookup to a USB EEPROM Reader
Connect the airbag computer EEPROM to the reader, and the reader to the serial port directly on a legacy Pentium 4 computer. You can also purchase USB EEPROM readers:
Analyze Crash Data
Use PonyProg software which is a serial device programmer to read from the EEPROM chip. Replace all the values from the crashed chip with those from the virgin chip and rewrite it to the computer to clear the hard code.
Replace the Airbag Computer
So now I’m going to replace all the values from the crashed chip with those from the virgin chip and rewrite it to the computer to clear the hard code.
Test to Make Sure It Works
The SRS light should go out within 6 seconds if everything is functioning normally. Double check with Toyota’s techstream software and there aren’t any codes or faults found.
Does disconnecting the battery reset the airbag light?
No. Removing the car battery terminals by itself will not reset the airbag light