Airbag Reset Light?

Tiny
CHELLEBUG2000
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 KIA OPTIMA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 70,000 MILES
My husband recently disconnected my airbag. He then reconnected it and since then the airbag light has been on. How does he reset it? He said that there is nothing wrong with it, just thinks it needs to be reset? I saw the answer that it should do it on it's own once repair has been made but I really do not have a repair.

One more question, my alternator is going out (possibly) the battery light is on. We just replaced battery yesterday and it still is on. Would the alternator have anything to do with the airbag as well. I know absolutely nothing about cars. I am just the messanger.
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 AT 10:33 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,262 POSTS
I've seen a lot of Nissans and Hyundais that if the alternator is not charging, then the ABS and/or the air bag lights come on too, be cause the computer "thinks" that there may not be enough electrical power to pulse the brakes, or deploy the air bags.

A lot of parts stores will check out your charging system for free, in hopes of selling you replacement parts.
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Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 AT 8:06 PM
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello -

Buddycraigg is right on. If I can also add a suggestion.

You can go to Auto Zone (AZ) or O'Reilly's (OR) and for FREE they can bring their tester out and check your battery and alternator. It doesn't sound to me like the alternator is putting out enough. You may have a diode going out etc. Also check to make sure your belt is properly tight as a loose belt will also not spin the alternator correctly.

Besides the airbag light staying on it....... It may be a separate system. I recently worked on a Mercedes E320 and had to pull the airbag to replace the multifunction switch. Once replaced I turned the key on to check it out. It worked fine but turned on the airbag light. The airbag controller is separate on many cars from the other systems. Once it does a check to see if all the airbags are working, if it finds one that isn't it throws the codes.....I.E. Not installed in your case and mine. Then no matter if you do install it the controller still has been tripped and must be reset by the dealer with their tester. Usually costs about $40 to reset. They hook it up... Do the test of the system and it clears the light.

AMANTI, OPTIMA, SEDONA & SORENTO
Turn ignition on, with engine off. Air bag warning light in instrument cluster should flash 6 times, then turn off. If air bag warning light does not illuminate when the ignition is turned on, illuminates for 6 seconds without flashing and goes out, or remains lit with the ignition on, there is a fault in the air bag system.

The above is from the manual.......I don't see anything to discuss reset. You could also, when you take it to Auto Zone (AZ) or O'Reilly's (OR) and for FREE they can pull the codes to the car. They can reset normal codes so while there see if they can reset the SRS light. I doubt it due to the safety of the system. Again, you may have to go to the dealer and have it reset.
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Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 AT 8:25 PM

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