air bag light

[jacko]

Hi, three days ago I got rear-ended (oh-err missus !) at some traffic lights, there`s a few dints in the rear door but that`s being sorted. My problem is that the impact activated the air-bag flashing light, but not the air-bag ! is there any way to switch this off without resorting to removing the bulb ? I`ve been told that this is an m.o.t. failure is this correct ?
many thanks, Jacko.

[Bob]

definitely an MOT fail.

The company who insure the twonk head who ran into you should sort it.

[jacko]

Not going through insurance, as last time somebody hit me, when I was parked up, claiming against them meant my insurance went up by £30 and my partners went up by £20 (I`m a named driver on her policy) this was for three years. plus I had dozens and dozens of `ambulance chasers` phoning to try to get me to claim for `my whiplash injuries`(when, at the time I was sitting on my sofa !) I`ve been quoted £80 for the dent repairs, which the lad who hit me is going to pay. So even if he doesn`t pay I`ll be £70 up ! just need to turn that damn light off !

[Simon Jones]

Unfortunately I don't believe the light can be reset until the underlying cause of the problem has been rectified. It may be the airbag tried to deploy and has now failed. It will need someone with the right diagnostics tool to find out what has happened.

If you were hit from behind while stationary, you will be making a claim against the third parties insurance and not your own so your premium should not be affected. I've recently been thru a claim (not in the Bongo) and was able to prove with dashcam footage that I was not in the wrong. My insurance company had all their expenses covered and I have a letter confirming it was a non-fault claim. As a minimum, you MUST advise them you have been involved in an accident even if you then tell them you do not wish to make a claim. This will be covered in the T's and C's of the policy and failure to follow them could result in your policy being invalidated. IMHO, it's not worth it to potentially try to cut corners to save a possible £30 or so.

[Bob]

Well I'll leave that up to you, but getting the light sorted may cost more than you think.

Good luck.

[rita]

Personally I would put this problem through my Insurance company, the air bag assy might be past its sell by date.

Again we do not know your circumstances, for what its worth you could try disconnecting the battery then switch on everything in the vehicle with your foot on the brake pedal for a couple of minutes, reconnect the batter with every thing switchedd OFF and see if the AB light goes out.

Good Luck.

[jacko]

many thanks for everyone`s help, will keep you posted.

[jacko]

Thanks for everyones help on this, repair has been done, and paid for by lad who hit me. The airbag light has switched itself off ! and I`ve saved at least £150, which ,believe me , when your on minimum wage is probably 6 months hard saving ! At least I can now afford a service ! Once again thanks for all advice.

[Bob]

Glad you're sorted.