The SRS Airbag System was developed to work with the seatbelt for the safety of passengers during an accident. When combined with the seatbelt, airbags protect passengers from collisions. The future of SRS systems is headed toward providing the highest possible level of protection during unexpected emergencies and everyday driving.
In the early 1980s, the first high-end automobiles to use SRS Airbag systems entered the market. As a result of technological advancement, decreased costs, and simplified automotive technical solutions. Airbags have become more commonplace in automobiles of all price points. Continue reading this post if you want to know what is SRS airbag and how it works.
What Is The Srs Airbag System?
SRS Airbags are deployed in the case of a collision to protect passengers further. The supplementary restraint system will trigger the airbag to deploy and open in the case of a collision. Thanks to the airbags, the driver and passengers won’t have to worry if an accident occurs.
How SRS Airbag Works
A sensor in the driver-side SRS detects the crash, determines the severity of the impact, and then deploys the airbag. The SRS system can instantly identify the driver’s brake application, the passenger’s acceleration, the impact’s position, and the passenger’s existence in the front seat. Once an incident is recognized, a signal is sent to the airbag control module, which decides which airbags to deploy and which seat belts to fasten. In around 0.03 seconds, the airbag will have fully deployed. Deflation of the deployed airbag takes roughly 0.1 seconds.
The average human blink lasts between 0.1 and 0.3 seconds. Some people near an airbag deployment say they didn’t even see the airbag inflate since it occurs so quickly. Every time you start your automobile, the airbag is activated and tested. If the airbag is activated correctly, a light will illuminate shortly before turning off again. If that’s the case, the SRS airbag warning light will stay on, and your airbag will not deploy in the case of an accident. And you face the danger of severe injury if the light continues to illuminate while you are driving the car.
SRS airbags are more costly than standard airbags, but your and others’ safety around you while driving is paramount. If upgrading to a higher-quality airbag is what it takes to keep yourself and others safe, then it’s money well spent.
SRS Airbag System Malfunction Toyota
Has your Toyota shown a notification about a problem with the SRS airbag system? In the event of a collision, safety features will not activate if the SRS indicator light is illuminated. If the airbag warning light goes on, you should act quickly since the chance of harm has increased dramatically.
It may be easier to diagnose a problem with the Toyota SRS airbag system with an SRS airbag code reader. The reader is capable of deciphering the system’s unique airbag codes. To help you out, we’ll go through some of the most typical causes of the SRS warning.
Toyota SRS Warning Light – Common Causes
The following are the most typical causes for Toyota airbag warning lights:
The OPDS for the Front Passenger
A sensor is installed in the passenger seat of most new Toyota automobiles so that the car knows whether someone is occupying that seat. The SRS system uses this information to decide whether or not to activate the front passenger airbag. The mat-like sensor is embedded in the seat’s base cushion. This delicate wire risks fraying over time and giving inaccurate data.
Activated airbags
Once deployed, safety features like airbags and seat belt tensioners are useless and must be replaced. It is hard to overlook because it only happens in the case of an accident. It’s still possible that the prior owner was involved in an accident and never got around to replacing these parts. People have been known to remove the bulb from the ABS warning light to disable the system.
Locked SRS ECU
The SRS system’s electronic control unit (ECU) will automatically lock after an accident in which the airbags have been activated. In such a case, fault codes may not be recorded, but the airbag safety light will remain permanently on. This is because problems arising after an accident need a new ECU. The ECU may be removed from the vehicle, and its circuit board erased to remove any collision data.
In-Road Safety Electronic Control Unit Recall
Over three million cars produced between 2011 and 2019 may have shipped from the factory with a flawed SRS ECU. This is a risk since a software glitch might prevent the airbags from deploying in certain vehicles. Toyota issued a massive recall in January 2020 to address this problem by modifying the SRS harness.
Connections That Are Unclean Or Oxidized
Wiring connections in many Toyota automobiles don’t properly seal, which is a safety concern. This may let dust and grime in if the weather is unfavorable. Rust and other buildups develop over time, disrupting electrical signals and preventing parts of the car from talking to one another. You can fix the issue by removing any impurities and adding dielectric grease.
SRS Electronic Control Unit Failure
The bulk of the Toyota SRS airbag system’s electronic control unit (ECU) is at the center stack. The ECU may be flooded if placed there, therefore proved problematic. When this occurs, it is usually because the automobile has a broken windscreen or a malfunctioning heater. Because of the potential for corrosion and circuit board damage, the SRS light may turn on, and the safety belts may not work.
Dead Battery
In some circumstances, a scanner will be necessary to remove a fault code from the SRS control module. This is due to a dead battery or power drop under 10 volts.
Shorted Circuit
The cabling connecting the various parts of the SRS system, especially those located below the seats, is vulnerable to wear and strain over time. Because of this, there are frequent electrical problems, such as shorts and communication breakdowns. In addition to fires, blown fuses may result from faulty wiring. If any issues arise, the SRS warning light will come on.
FAQs
Why Is My SRS Airbag Light On?
If you see this warning light illuminate, the system has discovered an issue that might prevent one or more airbags from deploying during a collision. The appearance of the SRS warning light is a reason for serious concern, even if all airbags continue to deploy properly.
How To Reset The SRS Airbag Light?
After a collision, after the airbag has been blown and loaded with argon or nitrogen, the airbag light (also known as the SRS light) lights on the car’s instrument cluster. However, there are other situations when the airbag light will remain on, such as a faulty component or sensor. A portable airbag signal reset tool might be useful for automobile owners.
Conclusion
The SRS airbag is crucial for decreasing an accident’s immediate and long-term effects on the driver and front-seat passengers. That’s why its maintenance is essential. If the SRS airbag warning light suddenly begins to illuminate, you shouldn’t ignore them but investigate what’s causing the problem and fix it.
