How to Test Airbag Impact Sensor

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A car is very useful and good at helping us get from point A to point B in a very short amount of time. However, it is also a huge metal object that can cause a lot of damage if we’re not careful and mishandled. Accidents do happen whether we want them or not as we are after simply humans and sometimes it’s not even our fault. 

That’s why it’s important to have the appropriate safety features in case of an accident. One such safety feature is the airbag and it’s sensors. The airbag is designed to deploy in a split second and protect the driver and passengers from serious injuries. 

That’s why it’s important to test the impact sensor to make sure that it’s working properly. In this article, we will show you how to test the airbag impact sensor in your car. Testing the airbag impact sensor is a very important step in ensuring that your car is safe to drive.

What Is an Airbag Sensor?

Your car many many sensors in place not only vital for your car to function properly but also to protect you and your passengers in the event of an accident. One such sensor is the airbag impact sensor. It is one of the most important parts of the airbag system and responsible for triggering the deployment of the airbag in the event of an accident. Without it, the airbag would not be able to deploy which could lead to serious injuries or even death. 

The airbag impact sensor is a vital safety feature in modern vehicles. It is responsible for deploying the airbags in the event of a collision. Without it and the airbags, nothing would not deploy as cushion to soften the impact when coming into contact with solid objects at high speeds which is the reason why they were invented in the first place. 

The red car collides with the yellow one, prompting the airbag impact sensor.
How to Test Airbag Impact Sensor

Where Is the Airbag Crash Sensor Located?

The airbag sensor is usually located in the front of the vehicle near the steering wheel. In some cases, it may be located in the dashboard or center console. In certain and different kind of vehicles, you can also find them mounted on the side of the car. Regardless of its location, it is very important to know where it is so that you can test it before an accident.

It is a small device that is usually rectangular in shape. It has two wires coming out of it. The sensor is responsible for detecting a collision and triggering the airbag to deploy and works by measuring the change in voltage when the car crashes or has an impact in certain areas. 

How Do You Know if an Impact Sensor Is Bad?

An impact sensor is usually bad when it doesn’t trigger the airbag to deploy when there is an accident. This means that the airbags will not be able to protect you and your passengers in the event of a collision. It is a very serious problem and should be fixed as soon as possible. 

Symptoms of a bad airbag sensor include the following: 

  • Airbags not deploying during an accident 
  • Sudden loss of power steering 
  • Engine stalls or cuts out 
  • ABS light comes on 

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to take your car to a mechanic or dealership so that they can diagnose and fix the problem. 

Also Read: How Do You Know If Your Speed Sensor Is Bad

How to Test an Airbag Sensor

There are multiple ways one can test the airbag sensor. Here, we will inform you of the most simple and safest way to test it. If you’re not comfortable with testing the sensor yourself, you can always take it to a mechanic and have them do it for you. 

Determine Problem 

First of all, you will need to make sure that you have a problem with the airbag sensor. You can tell this by the symptoms that we listed above. If you experience any of those, then there is a good chance that the airbag sensor is bad. 

Scan Tool

FOXWELL NT630 Plus ABS SRS SAS Airbag Code Reader Scan Tool Bidirectional OBD2 Scanner, ABS Auto Bleed Car Diagnostic Tool with ABS Airbag Light Reset Tool & SAS Calibration

Now that you are sure that there is a problem, you will need to get a scan tool. This is a device that plugs into the OBD-II port of your car and allows you to read the code that is stored in the computer. 

The code will tell you what the problem is and where it is located. Once you have the code, you can look up what it means and how to fix it. If you don’t have a scan tool, you can take your car to a mechanic or dealership and they can use their scan tool to read the code for you. 

Also Read: Best OBD2 Airbag and SRS Scanner In 2022 (Our Reviews & Comparison)

Troubleshoot 

After you have the code, you can start troubleshooting the problem. In most cases, the problem will be with the wiring or a connector. Check all of the wires and connectors to make sure that they are tight and not damaged. If you find any damaged wires, you will need to replace them. 

Replace if Necessary

In some cases, the problem may be with the sensor itself. If this is the case, you will need to replace the sensor. In order to do this, you will need to remove the steering wheel and dashboard. This is a very difficult and time-consuming process and can also be quite dangerous too as the airbag can deploy at any time. You should only attempt to do this if you are comfortable with it and have the proper tools and knowledge. 

Airbag Crash Sensor Replacement Cost

The cost of replacing a crash sensor will vary depending on the make and model of your car. It can also vary depending on where you live. In general, you can expect to pay between $70 and $300 for the sensor and installation. 

The sensor itself will usually cost between $30 and $100. The labor to install it will usually be between $40 and $200. This is a very difficult job and should only be attempted by someone who is well versed in auto repair

If you need to replace your airbag sensor, we recommend that you take your car to a mechanic or dealership and have them do it for you. It is a very sensitive and dangerous job and should only be attempted by someone who knows what they are doing.

Also Read: How much does it Cost to Replace a Transmission Mount

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Conclusion 

Knowing how to test the airbag crash sensor is important for ensuring that your car is safe to drive. In order to test the sensor, you will need to get a scan tool. This is a device that plugs into the OBD-II port of your car and allows you to read the code that is stored in the computer. 

The code will tell you what the problem is and where it is located. Once you have the code, you can look up what it means and how to fix it. If you don’t have a scan tool, you can take your car to a mechanic or dealership and they can use their scan tool to read the code for you. 

This is a very delicate and sensitive job that should only be attempted by someone who is well-versed in auto repair. If you are not comfortable with testing or repairing the sensor yourself, we recommend that you take your car to a mechanic or dealership and have them do it for you. 

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