SRS Airbag Reset Archives - Safety Restore

How does an airbag module work?

If you have educated yourself on the different safety components in your vehicle, you likely learned about the SRS airbag module. If you have not, I cannot stress enough to you the importance of it for the overall functionality and safety of your vehicle. Even though it is a small component in your vehicle, it plays a big role. Let me tell you just how it does that.

To start off, the SRS airbag module is a computerized system in your car. What it basically does is control the entire airbag system in your vehicle. Everything from the airbags themselves, the impact sensors, and even the seat belt pre-tensioners—relies on the module to properly function. During a sudden stop or collision, where the airbags deploy, the airbag module stores a ton of information in the form of crash data and hard codes. This information includes seat belt use, the vehicle and engine speed, seat belt pre-tensioner deployments, impact speed change, throttle position, airbag deployments, and brake light switch position. Interestingly enough, this type of information is almost always admissible in court and usually trumps other physical evidence or verbal explanations.

When the airbag module is not up to par—or has all this data stored—the airbags cannot deploy in an accident. This, as a result, can potentially lead to serious injury or even death. That is why you should have the unit replaced immediately. You do not want to be endangering your own life or that of your passengers.

You basically have two options when it comes to fixing a faulty airbag module. The first, and pricier, option is to purchase a brand new module at the dealer. Or, you can send in your present unit to the company Safety Restore so that they can restore it to factory settings.

How to fix an airbag module

You may know by now that after a vehicle has been involved in a crash and the airbags have deployed, the SRS airbag module has stored crash data and hard codes. You may also already know that nothing but purchasing a brand new module or having the module reset manually can restore it to its original condition. However, you may not actually know the step-by-step instructions on fixing the airbag module. Read below to find out.

To fix your SRS airbag module and restore it to factory condition, you first want to locate the unit in your vehicle. Generally, airbag modules are found below the driver or front passenger seat. Sometimes, though, they can be found below the radio, behind the steering wheel, in the center console, or in the kick panel. The next step before disassembly would be to disconnect your battery. Make sure to disconnect the negative first followed by the positive and let the backups drain. Then, move your steering wheel and take out all the hardware on your driver airbag module. Disconnect the wiring and horn wiring, the grounding strap, radio wires, and the airbag connectors. If deployment has caused the connectors to be melted down, cut the wires that lead up to the coil. The clock spring will need to be replaced. Then, remove the computer. Open it up and look for the 8-pin SMD EEPROM chip. Solder some 32-gauge hookup wire to connect the SRS airbag module to a serial port EEPROM reader. The crash data can then be analyzed using specific software. There are several software you can purchase to fulfill this step. You should replace all the values from the crashed chip with the values on the virgin chip. Rewrite it into your computer so that the hard codes can be wiped out. After all of that is set, you can replace the module back into your car. When reinstalling the unit back into your car, make sure to disconnect the battery like you had initially done. To ensure that you followed the steps correctly, check to see that your SRS light turns off. You can also check your car’s tech-stream software to make sure that there aren’t any more hard codes or faults present.

As you can see, the process can be quite tricky but nonetheless still doable. If you feel that you cannot fulfill these steps alone, or do not have the proper tools and software to do so, turn to the company Safety Restore. Safety Restore specializes in restoring SRS airbag modules back to factory condition.

How to fix an SRS airbag module

How to reset the airbag module after accident

If you have a vehicle with a faulty SRS airbag module, you might know that it needs to be replaced. You may be thinking that you do not have enough money to buy a totally new SRS unit at the dealer. Lucky for you, that is okay. There are plenty of instructions online detailing how you can remove the unit from your vehicle and reset it back to factory condition yourself! You just need to have the proper tools and software to do so.

Let me fill you in on the process. First, you should remove the unit from your vehicle. Most likely, it is located underneath the driver seat or the front passenger seat. You can then begin disassembly of the module. You should open up the module and search for the 8-pin SMD EEPROM chip. This is what stores all the crash data. You then need to solder some 32-gauge hookup wire to connect the airbag module to a serial port EEPROM reader. After that, you can analyze the crash data. Different types of software are available to read the EEPROM chip, but all essentially do the same job. At last, you can finally replace the airbag module computer. Replace all the values from the crashed chip with the ones from the virgin chip and rewrite it into the computer. That way, the hard codes that were present can be cleared. The final step would be to replace the module into your car and check if you were able to successfully reset it. Within 6 seconds, your SRS light should go off. Your vehicle’s tech-stream software can also be checked to see that there are no more codes or faults present.

Of course, if the entire process seems too difficult, or you do not want to risk doing the job improperly, you can send it in to a company that specializes in just that. A perfect example of such a company is Safety Restore. Visit safetyrestore.com and purchase the SRS airbag module reset service for a very affordable price.

Video – How to reset the airbag module after accident

Airbag module not communicating?

When resetting their SRS airbag module, many people run into the issue of their airbag module not communicating properly. This can happen for a number of reasons. Read below to find out a few of those reasons.

One reason your SRS airbag module may not be communicating properly is because it is improperly grounded. This simply means that it needs to be bolted down completely in the reinstallation process. Believe it or not, this issue is pretty common.

Another reason may be because of the communication pins at the plug. To make sure this isn’t the reason you are having communication issues, make sure to inspect the communication pins where the harness connect into the front of the airbag module. Look out for any damage or corrosion present. Sometimes, the pins can push back, bend, or even break off.

A third cause of your airbag module not communicating may be because of problems with your scanner, and not the actual module itself. To scan your airbag module, make sure that the scanner you use is able to properly read the airbag diagnostic codes. The scanner should access your airbag system and support your vehicle make and model. A lot of scanners are just set to read the basic engine codes so you want to make sure yours is set to read your codes. Also, if you have a newer car you want to make sure you are not using an outdated scanning tool.

The wiring or harness can also be the reason for the issues you are having. Make sure to check that the harness or wiring surrounding the SRS airbag module isn’t cut or otherwise damaged anywhere.

If you determine that all the above issues aren’t the reason for your communication problems, you may want to send your SRS module to a professional company like Safety Restore.

How to Test your Airbag Module

You probably already know by now the functionality of the SRS airbag module in your vehicle and its overall importance in preserving your safety on the road. You know that the SRS airbag module is responsible for tying in the entire airbag system including the airbags themselves, the impact sensors, and even the seat belt pre-tensioners. Without the airbag module working properly, none of these parts can function individually the way they are intended to. This means that if your car is involved in a crash, the airbags will not deploy which can result in serious injury or even death. For this reason, you know how crucial it is to get a brand new module—or your previous one reset—immediately after it becomes faulty or has stored crash data. If you go with the latter option, getting the reset is one thing. Testing to see if the reset was a success is another. Below are the steps you should take to test your airbag module and see that all previous crash data and hard codes have been erased. The process is quite simple.

To begin, you need to reinstall the airbag module into your vehicle. Make sure all the wiring that was disconnected in the initial disassembly process is reconnected. Then you can reconnect your car’s battery. After that, just turn on your car and take a look at the airbag light found on the instrument panel of your console. If the airbag module reset was a success, the airbag light should dim out within approximately 7 seconds. If the light fails to turn off, you may need to bring the unit to a professional company or contact your local dealership. The company Safety Restore specializes in SRS airbag module resetting, and can definitely be trusted if you see that you were unsuccessful in completing the job yourself.

How to test your SRS airbag module.

Where is the airbag module located?

Wondering where your airbag module is located in your vehicle?

An airbag control module is the mechanism that controls the airbag system. There are several airbags in a vehicle, some located in the front, on the sides, or on knee-level to passengers. However, there is only one SRS airbag module unit in a vehicle. The location of the airbag module differs from vehicle to vehicle depending on the make and model of it. In some vehicles, it is located in the center console, kick panel, under the radio, or behind the steering wheel. Generally, though, it can be found underneath the driver’s seat or front passenger’s seat. Heavy-duty vehicles such as buses and trucks have engine control modules instead of airbag control modules. These units are often located beneath the instrument panel glove box on the front-passenger side of the vehicle.

Find out where your airbag module is located.

The importance of an airbag module cannot be stressed enough. It makes the workings of the entire airbag system possible. When a sudden stop or collision occurs, the airbag module receives information from the impact sensor that then passes on a signal to deploy the airbags. Without a properly functioning airbag module in a vehicle, the airbags wouldn’t even deploy. After airbag deployment, the airbag sensor is locked until it is replaced or completely reprogrammed.

Following a crash, the information stored in the airbag module in the form of hard codes and crash data can prove quite useful—and is usually admissible in court too. Everything from seat belt use, engine and vehicle speed, brake light switch position, throttle position, impact speed change, airbag deployments and seat belt pre-tensioner deployments are stored in this small unit. Those who analyze car accidents often look at the airbag module information and find it more beneficial than other physical evidence or verbal explanation.

If you yourself have been involved in an accident, refrain from buying a brand new module. Instead, have your present unit restored to factory settings by the company Safety Restore.

When to Replace Your Airbag Module

When to replace your airbag module.

If you do not know what an airbag module is or what it does, you most likely do not know when you need to replace it. For your own safety’s sake, it is important to learn, so let me fill you in.

The SRS airbag module in your vehicle is a tiny unit generally located beneath the driver or front passenger seat. Even though the unit is relatively small, it serves a big role in preserving occupants’ safety on the road. This is because the entire airbag system—which includes the airbags themselves, the impact sensors, and seat belt pre-tensioners—depends on the SRS airbag module. Without a properly functioning module, or without one altogether, the airbags would not be able to deploy during an accident. As you can imagine, that can result in a greater possibility of injury or even death.

Wondering when to replace your airbag module? – This is what a SRS module looks like.

When a vehicle has been involved in an accident, the SRS airbag module picks up the information during the crash such as the vehicle and engine speed, seat belt use, throttle position, seat belt pre-tensioner deployments, impact speed change, airbag deployments, and brake light switch position. All this information is stored in the form of crash data and hard codes. When the unit has all that stored data in it, it is an indication that it needs to be replaced. This would be the proper time to purchase a brand new SRS airbag module or reset the present unit back to factory settings. Otherwise, the airbags will not be able to serve their purpose in the future.

You probably won’t want to replace the unit entirely at the dealer knowing that you have an equally safe—and more affordable—alternative. You can send the unit in to a company that specializes in resetting SRS airbag modules: Safety Restore.

Can you drive without an airbag module?

While a vehicle can still run without an airbag module, it is strongly recommended that drivers do not operate the vehicle without it being installed—unless an emergency situation arises and there is no other option. There are several reasons for this, the biggest being to preserve one’s safety while driving.

The main reason why it is unsafe to drive without an SRS airbag module installed is because a car’s airbags will not work without them. If they do no work, then they are not able to serve their purpose as secondary restraint systems—and as a result will not deploy if an accident were to occur. As you can imagine, that can pose as a giant problem. Without airbags deploying, a driver and any passengers can face serious injury or even death. During a sudden stop or a collision, the airbags are what stop the occupants of a vehicle from crashing through the windshield or against other objects and people in the vehicle. Without airbags in the equation, nothing would be able to slow down occupants’ change in momentum and reduce the forces exerted on them.

The safest bet for an owner of a vehicle that needs their SRS airbag module replaced is to have another form of transportation ready for the time it takes to reset or entirely replace the unit. Although it may be a hassle to do so, it is better to be safe than sorry.

The great thing is that there is a company—Safety Restore—that is able to reset airbag modules and only takes 24 hours to do so. For that short amount of time, arranging another form of transportation shouldn’t even be a problem. Not only will it take a short amount of time but it can also save a driver hundreds or even thousands of dollars compared to the prices at the dealer!

4 New Year’s Resolutions You Can Pick Up This Year

New Year means New YOU! With everyone else making New Year’s resolutions, it can’t hurt for you to do the same. Even if you think you won’t be able to accomplish them, there are bound to be some that you definitely can. Read some of these suggestions below. Perhaps, you may even surprise yourself and be able to accomplish all of them!

One great New Year’s resolution is to eat healthier. Now, this can get difficult really quick if you let it. If you’ve been eating junk food for a greater portion of your life, it is hard to just get up and quit eating it completely. However, if you take the time to make small, gradual adjustments to your diet, you can end up very successful. For example, try substituting a bag of chips for a bag of delicious veggies and dip. Or, instead of indulging in a carton of ice cream with a whole bunch of unhealthy toppings, try eating frozen yogurt topped with fruit. Honestly, the possibilities for healthy substitutions are endless.

Another New Year’s resolution you can adapt to is incorporating a little fitness into your life. Diet and exercise are two key components of a healthy lifestyle, so why wouldn’t you want to strive for that? You don’t have to run an entire mile every day either. Try starting with a short walk around your neighborhood. If you feel like you can do more than that, certainly don’t hesitate. The more fitness and exercise you can fit into your day-to-day routine, the better! You can even grab a friend and have them join in on the fun.

Trying to be kinder and demonstrate more acts of kindness is another goal you can set for yourself for the New Year—or any day! They say kindness makes the world go round, and it really does. There are so many ways you can brighten someone’s day, whether it be a friend or a complete stranger. If you demonstrate more acts of kindness, it is likely that those on the receiving end will do the same and a ripple effect will follow. And what could be better than that?

Finally, a last New Year’s resolution you can set is to look at all your possessions and make sure they are working properly. Oftentimes, we do not take care of our things and once they break, we just replace them with brand new ones. This year, strive to keep your items well maintained so that they can function and last longer. This can apply to your clothes, your home, your furniture, and your car. Take the SRS airbag module in your vehicle for example. Make sure that it is functioning properly at all times. If you see that an OEM Airbag Module Reset is needed, get it done immediately. Things like OEM Airbag Module Resets shouldn’t be postponed. The airbag module is a very important component of your vehicle, and you want it to be working up to par every time you drive. At the company Safety Restore, you can get an OEM Airbag Module Reset for a very affordable price. Head on over to safetyrestore.com and see for yourself!

is needed, get it done immediately. Things like OEM Airbag Module Resets shouldn’t be postponed. The airbag module is a very important component of your vehicle, and you want it to be working up to par every time you drive. At the company Safety Restore, you can get an OEM Airbag Module Reset for a very affordable price. Head on over to safetyrestore.com and see for yourself!

How to wear a seat belt when pregnant

As many people know, seat belts reduce the risk of serious injury by about 50%. Therefore it is crucial for both drivers and passengers alike to wear one at all times. For women who are pregnant, wearing a seat belt correctly is especially important. Depending on the severity of the injury, being involved in a vehicular accident can increase the risk of serious pregnancy complication such as placental abruption, premature rupture of the membranes (PROM), preterm labor, miscarriage, or even stillbirth. Below are a few seat belt tips you should follow if you are pregnant.

#1. To begin with, you will probably be safest wearing a lap and shoulder belt combination, as this provides the most protection. Other belts can be worn too, but this type is recommended.

#2. The way the lap belt would be worn is below your belly, touching your thighs. It should be placed low and snug on your hips. Failing to wear it this way may result in less protection.

#3. Your belt should never be worn above or across your belly.

#4. You should always make sure to wear the shoulder belt snugly across the middle of your chest and shoulder.

#5. You should refrain from slipping the shoulder belt behind your back or beneath your arm at any time. Even though this is sometimes an impulsive thing to do for more comfort, remember that it will leave you less protected.

#6. If you are the driver, make sure your belly is situated a safe distance from the airbag. At least 10 inches should separate your breastbone from the dashboard or steering wheel. Of course, as your belly grows you may find yourself needing to move your seat back more to be seated safely.

#7. If your car has been recently involved in an accident, you want to make sure that your seat belts along with everything else in your car is still properly working. If your seat belts have deployed, your airbag module may have stored crash data and hard codes. For this, an airbag module reset would be necessary. The company Safety Restore provides airbag module reset services for only a fraction of the price a dealer charges! The quality is impeccable too. Get your airbag module reset at Safety Restore so that you and your belly could be driving safely.