The car's airbag is one of the important considerations when driving, and in this article, we will review the top four common reasons that can cause the car's airbag to malfunction. We will also share some important advice to avoid these problems.
What is the car's airbag?
Airbags are devices that protect the driver and passengers in case of car accidents. Airbags consist of a casing made from nylon or polyester, and the bag is filled with air when an accident occurs, via an airbag inflator.
There are many types of airbags, including:
Driver's Airbag: Located in the steering wheel, it inflates to protect the driver from injuries during car accidents.
Side Airbag: Located on the sides of the front seats and inflates to protect the driver and passenger from side injuries.
Airbag for knees: It is located in the dashboard and inflates to protect the front passenger from injuries.
Side Airbag for Knees: This is located on the sides of the rear seats and inflates to protect rear passengers from side injuries during car accidents.
Knee airbag for rear collision: It is located in the rear dashboard and inflates to protect the rear passengers when the car is hit from the back.
The size and capacity of airbags vary depending on the type of car and their location within the car. Airbags are typically used in conjunction with the seat belt to provide optimal protection for the passenger. They work extremely quickly and inflate in less than one second in the event of an accident. Therefore, a malfunctioning car airbag is a major disaster.
How does the car's airbag work?
The collision sensor in the car measures the force of impact in the event of an accident. If the force of impact is sufficient to move the sensor, it sends a signal to the airbag control unit to activate it.
The airbag contains a small ignition device in its center that is activated when it receives a signal from the sensor. This device triggers the airbag.Nitrogen GasOr argon in the airbag, which leads to its rapid inflation.
The time required for an airbag to inflate is only about 1/20 of a second, which effectively helps to protect the driver and passengers in the event of an accident.
However, since the airbag inflates rapidly, it may release some particles and chemicals, which can potentially irritate the eyes and skin. Therefore, it is recommended to stay away from the airbag after it has deployed and wait for a few minutes until the released particles and chemicals have dissipated.
What are the reasons for the car's airbag malfunction?
Problems in the electrical circuit
As we know, the airbag in a car contains a complex electrical circuit that activates the airbag in the event of an accident. The airbag activation process begins with a signal to the Airbag Control Module, which receives signals from a set of sensors installed in various locations in the car.
When an accident occurs, the sensors measure the force and direction of the collision and send this information to the airbag control device. After analyzing this information, the control device sends a signal to the electric pump (Airbag Inflator) to generate air gas, which fills the airbag and helps protect the driver and passengers from physical injuries.
One of the reasons that can lead to the malfunction of a car's airbag is the presence of defects in the electrical circuit responsible for operating the airbag. There could be failures in the electrical wires connected to it, a power cut due to a defect in the car battery, or a malfunction in the control device.
You should regularly check the condition of the airbag's electrical circuit during the routine maintenance of your car. Consultation with a certified maintenance center is required to make necessary repairs to avoid any risk to your safety due to the malfunction of your car's airbag.
Also read:6 Reasons Leading to Engine Bearing Damage
Technical damage
Over time and with frequent use, technical issues may occur in the parts and components of the airbag, affecting its ability to function properly.
Factors that can cause technical damage and disruption to a car's airbag include corrosion resulting from long-term use and exposure to external elements such as heat, humidity, dust, and pollution. Damage can also occur due to the failure to regularly replace parts and components of the airbag as part of the car's routine maintenance.
Neglecting regular maintenance can lead to the malfunction of the car's airbag.
Regular maintenance of the airbag is necessary to ensure its safety and effective performance in situations where the driver and passengers need protection from injuries in the event of an accident.
Failing to perform regular maintenance can lead to the accumulation of dirt and moisture inside the airbag, which can affect its performance and may result in the car's airbag malfunctioning.
Maintenance suggestions are usually found in the owner's manual that is provided with the car. This guide includes information about the required periodic maintenance and when it should be performed. Among the routine tasks that should be done is checking and regularly cleaning the air cushion to remove any accumulated dirt and moisture inside it.
A qualified maintenance technician should professionally clean the airbag, update the necessary software, and perform the required repairs if there are any problems related to the sensitive parts inside the airbag.
There is a defect in the seat belts.
The presence of a defect in the car's seat belts may lead to the airbag light on the dashboard illuminating to inform you of a malfunction in the car's airbag.
This depends on the type and design of the car, but generally, a malfunction in the seat belt system is detected through sensors that send signals to the airbag control unit.
In the event of a malfunction in the seat belts, it could lead to the airbag not deploying correctly in the event of an accident, or deploying incorrectly, thus causing the airbag warning light to illuminate to alert the driver of a malfunction in the system.
Therefore, you must conduct regular inspections.Seat BeltsAnd the airbag, and any other system related to safety in the car, to ensure its safety and that there are no faults in it.
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