A flashing airbag light on a Nissan, or any other car for that matter, isn’t normal and needs immediate attention and fixing. Mostly, this occurs due to a fault in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) or a malfunctioning pretensioner system. We’ll look into more about it in more detail in this article.
What does the airbag light on a Nissan mean?
The airbag light on a Nissan is part of the SRS, which connects the safety and seatbelt systems. This ensures the timely deployment of seatbelts during an accident with the help of sensors.
A flashing airbag light on a Nissan is a result of a self-check performed by its airbag module system to ensure all its components are working perfectly. It’ll blink for about 6-7 seconds while you turn on the ignition and goes off if it does not detect any faults. However, the light will continue to stay if there are any faults in the system.
It is not okay to ignore this warning indication on a Nissan, as it can lead to the non-deployment of airbags during a crash, risking your life.
Causes of a flashing airbag light on a Nissan
Airbag lights on a Nissan can come up due to various causes. We’ve listed a few common causes in detail to help you understand.
Faulty airbag module/sensors
A faulty airbag module can be one of the possible causes of a blinking airbag light. This fault is mostly caused when your car has been subject to floods or waterlogging. Subsequently, water enters the sensor components and results in irreparable damage. Unfortunately, replacing your airbag sensor module is the only fix to get rid of a flashing airbag light on a Nissan.
Damaged seat sensor wiring
A seat sensor wiring helps your car identify if somebody is occupying the seats. The wiring kit of this system, which is under the front seats, is subject to damage over time. This, in turn, causes an airbag warning light to pop up.
Locked seat belt sensor
The airbag module on your car can trigger a warning light if it detects that the seat belt sensors are in the locked position. The only way to get this resolved is by getting the sensor moving. You can try doing this by quickly buckling and unbuckling the seatbelt a few times. However, if this doesn’t work, it’s better to take your car to the mechanic.
Worn-out clock spring
The airbag clock spring is the part connected to the steering, which retracts and expands as the steering wheel turns. This helps it to maintain electrical continuity for all driver’s airbag components like radio, heat, cruise, etc. This part can break down over time as it is constantly working, causing a flashing airbag light on your Nissan.
A drained backup battery can cause flashing airbag lights on a Nissan.
In the event that your car battery completely drains off, the module starts drawing power from the airbag backup battery until the main battery is fully charged. But, if this backup battery runs out of juice, the airbag indicator will begin blinking.
You didn’t reset your airbag.
Your car’s airbags need to be reset after it has gone off in an accident. The warning light will continue to illuminate unless you get it fixed. So, that makes it one of the most important car repairs, apart from the usual repairs you’d perform post an accident
How to reset the airbag light on a Nissan?
Sometimes, this indication can pop up even if there are no faults in the system, and you can get rid of it by performing a reset. Follow these simple steps to do it.
Step 1: Turn on the ignition without firing the engine
Step 2: The airbag light blinks for 6-7 seconds. Now, quickly turn the switch to the off position, remove the key in a split second after the illumination disappears, and wait for a few seconds.
Step 3: Repeat these steps two more times.
Step 4: Now insert the key and fire the engine. If reset, the light should illuminate and go off after a few seconds. However, if not, it is better to take your car to the mechanic for a thorough inspection.
Is it safe to drive with a flashing airbag light on a Nissan?
No. A flashing airbag light indicates something is seriously wrong with your module, which requires an immediate fix. Driving with this indication is unsafe as it can cause an accidental airbag explosion. Furthermore, the system may be unable to detect an actual collision and deploy the airbags on time, which can increase the impact of the accident.
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