Airbags are one of the most important safety innovations introduced in the recent decades by the auto manufacturers. They provide crucial cushioning of people in an event of crash. Normally air bags are hidden but they inflate instantly when a crash happens. Airbags may be located at either the front or in the sides. Front airbags have been mandated since last decade but nearly all manufacturers include side airbags also as standard equipment in order to meet protection requirements. Irrespective of where the airbags are located their sole purpose is to save lives when a crash occurs.
As technology advances, auto manufacturers are finding new ways to integrate airbags into vehicles. Inflatable seat belts are aimed at reducing rear-seat injuries since these airbags provide enhanced protection for adults and kids using booster seats or seatbelts alone. However these inflatable seat belts are optional in many other brands but Mercedes-Benz S-Class comes with standard inflatable belts.
These airbags are a safety feature and any warning indicating any problem with it should never be ignored. This error is common on all Mercedes-Benz cars and goes like: Front Right Malfunction Service Required.
What are airbags and how they work?
Airbags are inflatable cushions built into a vehicle to protect passengers from hitting the vehicle interior or objects outside the vehicle such as trees and other vehicles during a collision. The moment car enters into a collision, airbag sensors start to measure severity of impact. If the crash is severe enough, these sensors signal inflators to fill the bags with gas within a second.
The airbag circuit has a heating element activated through an electric current. This heating element promotes an explosion inside the airbag to rapidly generate harmless gas and fill the airbag and expand it to take a form of cushion.
Unless deployed in an accidental crash, airbags do not typically require maintenance. However in case of an accident, they must be replaced at a repair shop that uses original equipment manufacturer (OEM) replacement parts to ensure that the new airbag is not counterfeit.
How to fix this error?
Airbag error can be fixed with and without a scanner however, in some older models it is difficult but in most of the models, this warning light and message goes away by itself if the problem is repaired.
Reset airbag light without scanner
When you attempt to fix this problem without a scanner, make sure that you remove car battery terminals first. Then check the wiring system underneath the driver or passenger seat for any loose or corroded wires and spray the connector plugs with an electronic cleaner. Restart you car and check if the light and warning message disappears. If you are unable o resolve it this way, then you better get an OBD II scanner and read the codes to identify the right problem.
Working with your airbag is crucial therefore it is required that you always read the trouble codes to start troubleshooting to continue the further diagnosis of the real problem. In most of the cases it is the fuse which has burnt out and prevents the airbags to function properly.
Open the fuse box located in the front of the vehicle and look for the right fuse which has caused this malfunction. Usually it is fuse 21 so you just need to grab it and pull it out. Check if it is burnt. If you find the fuse is completely burnt you simply need to replace it with a new one. After you’ve installed the new part and confident that the part is correctly installed you might need to clear the trouble codes once you’ve replaced the fuse.
After this replacement, if the airbag light seems to have gone away from your dashboard – restart your ignition and go for a test drive. If the airbag light does not appear after a test drive, there is a big chance that the problem is solved. However, if the problem comes back, reread the codes and continue the procedure.
Remember always to remove the battery connection when working with airbags. If you are not sure of how to do work with airbags since it could be a sensitive procedure, let a professional such as xenons4u to provide and replace the airbag’s part in your Mercedes Benz. Airbag warning message should never be ignored and must be fixed promptly since it plays an important role to ensure your safety in an event of accident.
