Is your airbag light on? A failing Airbag Control Module (ACM) can cause several warning signs.
- The airbag warning light stays on, even after starting the car.
- The airbag light flashes a code.
- Your airbags don't deploy in an accident.
- You get a "Service Airbag" message on your dashboard.
How do you know if it's really the ACM? Testing can help. A mechanic can use a scan tool to read codes from the ACM. These codes can point to the ACM or other parts of the airbag system, like sensors or wiring. Sometimes, a bad sensor or a broken wire can look like an ACM problem.
What makes these modules fail? Common causes include:
- Water damage from leaks.
- Electrical surges.
- Corrosion on the connectors.
- Impact damage from accidents.
- Simple aging of the internal components.