2008 Prius Airbag light

laskint · 12-08-2008, 10:48 PM

I have read through numerous threads and on different forums but I just want to get a definitive answer.

This all started because I went to get an annual vehicle inspection. My car failed because the inspector said that the airbag light was on. The manual states that when the car turns on the "Airbag On and Off" lights flash on then off after 4 seconds. It does this.

When my wife sits in the car, the "Airbag On" light comes on. When she gets out, the light "on" light turns off but the words "airbag" stay lit.

The manual states that there is a problem if the red driver side airbag light and the airbag off lights are lit. This is not the case. Just the "airbag" light.

Is this normal for a '08 Prius?

I am a little paranoid to take it to the dealer because I have performed the EV mod by adding a switch in one of the empty switch covers next to the dimmer. I did this after having the car for 1 week. I am afraid the dealer would tell me that this mod caused it which I am sure is not the case and tell me they cannot help me nor want to touch my vehicle.

firepa63 · 12-09-2008, 08:18 AM

It's normal. It's the same in my 09 and my brother-in-law's 06.

jelloslug · 12-09-2008, 09:12 AM

The airbag waring light is red and near the speedometer. It will come on for 6 seconds when you start the car and then go off. The orange one on the passenger side is a status light for the passenger airbag.

qbee42 · 12-09-2008, 09:29 AM

Oddly enough, the passenger Airbag label stays lit. Only the on/off status light turns on and off.

Tom

laskint · 12-09-2008, 09:46 AM

Thanks for the replies. I always remember seeing that airbag light and never thought twice about it. I spent 3 hours at the inspection station. I had the inspector call VA State Police who went through my manual and had the inspector pass my car. I just hate the fact that I might have to go through the same thing every year. I may just take it in to the dealer for the inspection every year and have them do some routine maintenance as well.

jelloslug · 12-09-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laskint

Thanks for the replies. I always remember seeing that airbag light and never thought twice about it. I spent 3 hours at the inspection station. I had the inspector call VA State Police who went through my manual and had the inspector pass my car. I just hate the fact that I might have to go through the same thing every year. I may just take it in to the dealer for the inspection every year and have them do some routine maintenance as well.

You can move next door to me, there are no inspections at all in SC.

Roakes_06_Prius · 10-21-2009, 05:28 PM

I just had the same issue having my 2006 inspected in MA. I spent 2 days trying to convince the inspector that the AIRBAG light on the passenger side is ALWAYS on and that if there was a malfunction the RED warning light located with all the other warning lights would be on... They almost had me go trough a formal complaint process to get it re-inspected... That process is 60+ days and results in a hearing of sorts to determine the outcome. In the end I got the service station that did the inspection to come to their senses...

boppo · 10-21-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roakes_06_Prius

I just had the same issue having my 2006 inspected in MA. I spent 2 days trying to convince the inspector that the AIRBAG light on the passenger side is ALWAYS on and that if there was a malfunction the RED warning light located with all the other warning lights would be on... They almost had me go trough a formal complaint process to get it re-inspected... That process is 60+ days and results in a hearing of sorts to determine the outcome. In the end I got the service station that did the inspection to come to their senses...

I thinks it's off until someone sits in the seat at least my 2006 is that way.

tom1l21 · 10-26-2009, 12:00 PM

My red airbag light came on a couple months ago and won't shut off. I even got a new 12v battery as mine was getting low. That didn't fix the issue either. Where can I disconnect/reconenct the airbag connections? Would this possibly fix the issue?

firepa63 · 10-26-2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom1l21

My red airbag light came on a couple months ago and won't shut off. I even got a new 12v battery as mine was getting low. That didn't fix the issue either. Where can I disconnect/reconenct the airbag connections? Would this possibly fix the issue?

Take the car to a dealer. The airbag is not a DIY item. You definitely have something wrong.

12-08-2008, 10:48 PM	#1
laskint Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 15 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	2008 Prius Airbag light I have read through numerous threads and on different forums but I just want to get a definitive answer. This all started because I went to get an annual vehicle inspection. My car failed because the inspector said that the airbag light was on. The manual states that when the car turns on the "Airbag On and Off" lights flash on then off after 4 seconds. It does this. When my wife sits in the car, the "Airbag On" light comes on. When she gets out, the light "on" light turns off but the words "airbag" stay lit. The manual states that there is a problem if the red driver side airbag light and the airbag off lights are lit. This is not the case. Just the "airbag" light. Is this normal for a '08 Prius? I am a little paranoid to take it to the dealer because I have performed the EV mod by adding a switch in one of the empty switch covers next to the dimmer. I did this after having the car for 1 week. I am afraid the dealer would tell me that this mod caused it which I am sure is not the case and tell me they cannot help me nor want to touch my vehicle. __________________ 2008 Classic Silver Metallic, Package #2 -EV-Mod -Engine Block Heater

12-09-2008, 08:18 AM	#2
firepa63 Senior Citizen Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 930 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 39 Posts Friends: 0	Re: 2008 Prius Airbag light It's normal. It's the same in my 09 and my brother-in-law's 06.

12-09-2008, 09:12 AM	#3
jelloslug It buffed right out! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 617 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Friends: 4	Re: 2008 Prius Airbag light The airbag waring light is red and near the speedometer. It will come on for 6 seconds when you start the car and then go off. The orange one on the passenger side is a status light for the passenger airbag.

12-09-2008, 09:29 AM	#4
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 10,492 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 95 Thanked 392 Times in 290 Posts Friends: 10	Re: 2008 Prius Airbag light Oddly enough, the passenger Airbag label stays lit. Only the on/off status light turns on and off. Tom

12-09-2008, 09:46 AM	#5
laskint Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 15 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: 2008 Prius Airbag light Thanks for the replies. I always remember seeing that airbag light and never thought twice about it. I spent 3 hours at the inspection station. I had the inspector call VA State Police who went through my manual and had the inspector pass my car. I just hate the fact that I might have to go through the same thing every year. I may just take it in to the dealer for the inspection every year and have them do some routine maintenance as well.

10-21-2009, 05:28 PM	#7
Roakes_06_Prius Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: MA Posts: 1 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: 2008 Prius Airbag light I just had the same issue having my 2006 inspected in MA. I spent 2 days trying to convince the inspector that the AIRBAG light on the passenger side is ALWAYS on and that if there was a malfunction the RED warning light located with all the other warning lights would be on... They almost had me go trough a formal complaint process to get it re-inspected... That process is 60+ days and results in a hearing of sorts to determine the outcome. In the end I got the service station that did the inspection to come to their senses...

10-26-2009, 12:00 PM	#9
tom1l21 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: East Longmeadow, MA Posts: 198 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 2 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts Friends: 1	Re: 2008 Prius Airbag light My red airbag light came on a couple months ago and won't shut off. I even got a new 12v battery as mine was getting low. That didn't fix the issue either. Where can I disconnect/reconenct the airbag connections? Would this possibly fix the issue?

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