German Car Specialists in
Airbag Repair and Diagnostics
If you are looking for airbag repair or an airbag system specialist in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, then Auto Service & Tuning Centre has you covered.
AIRbags (Automotive Inflatable Restraint) or SRS (Supplementary Restraint Systems) are perhaps the most well-known, and widely installed internal safety feature in modern-day vehicles besides traditional seatbelts. They are functionally simple, yet incredibly effective in preventing serious injury in the case of an accident. Airbags rely on a variety of impact sensors placed around the vehicle measuring the force experienced within the cabin in the event of a collision or tumultuous incident. Upon detection of a collision forceful enough to cause injury, these sensors trigger the ignition of a solid propellant with a hot spark, generating inert gas, which fills the airbag. The airbag, once inflated, acts as an impact absorber to those within the cabin. Though the SRS system rarely requires adjustment or repair, the airbag warning light may illuminate by cause of a system fault, or error, necessitating an inspection by a trained technician.
Auto Service & Tuning Centre offers a sophisticated airbag fault diagnostic service, alongside airbag system repairs, and resets. Using a unique combination of advanced diagnostic technology, and traditional skills, our Bosch accredited technicians work to diagnose airbag faults promptly and accurately, letting you make an informed decision with regard to repairs ranging from system resets to sensor replacements.
Book your Airbag System Service
Auto Service & Tuning Centres are highly experienced in the diagnosis and repair of airbag faults. Contact our airbag system specialist team in Hitchin, Hertfordshire today to book in your vehicle, or for further advice regarding any of our services.
National Standard Workmanship, Every time
Top of the line diagnostic equipment
Auto Service & Tuning Centre’s team of Bosch accredited technicians are highly qualified, allowing for the use of advanced diagnostic equipment within our centre. Using this, our technicians can take readings relevant to all aspects of a vehicle’s SRS airbag system, allowing for accurate insight, and prompt diagnosis.
Qualified Technicians
Our team of technicians are Bosch trained and accredited. Their unparalleled knowledge and technical expertise guarantee a high standard of workmanship.
High-quality parts
Auto Service & Tuning Centres guarantee our use of only high-quality or manufacturer-approved parts where required for airbag fault repair, helping ensure the safety of your vehicle at a fraction of dealership costs.
Over 40 Years of Experience
Auto Service & Tuning Centres is built on a foundation of extensive experience within the automotive repair and servicing industry.
Online booking service
We are proud to provide fully accredited and certified Bosch vehicle servicing to Hitchin, Letchworth, Stevenage, Royston, Baldock, Bedford, Luton, and beyond.
Our Airbag System Service
Auto Service & Tuning Centre is proud to offer a prompt airbag fault diagnosis and repair service in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, helping you get back on the road with a renewed sense of confidence in your vehicle.
Airbag Diagnostics
Our team are able to offer advanced diagnostic services across all major vehicle models. In the case of an unexpected airbag fault, Auto Service & Tuning Centres will investigate using a sophisticated data collection unit, from which codes corresponding to specific faults within the vehicle’s airbag SRS system may be drawn and analysed. This allows technicians to accurately and promptly trace faults to the source, whether they exist within the vehicle’s physical parts, or as an error in the vehicle’s complex SRS system.
Following a diagnosis, our technicians aim to provide a jargon-free fault diagnosis and corresponding quote for repair or reset.
Airbag Repairs
Auto Service & Tuning Centre is proud to offer a comprehensive airbag repair service. As airbag system faults can stem from a wide variety of issues, including damaged wiring, data errors, misaligned sensors, and worn clock springs, finding an airbag specialist with extensive knowledge across all areas of a vehicle is essential to a quality repair. The Bosch accredited technicians at Auto Service & Tuning Centre combine their unrivalled knowledge and over 40 years of experience to effectively diagnose and repair airbag faults. Our airbag repair service in Hitchin, Hertfordshire includes (but is in no way limited to) airbag resets, module repair, alongside error, crash code, and stored data removal.
If your airbag warning light is illuminated, or you believe your airbag system is in need of an inspection, contact Auto Service & Tuning Centre. Our team will be happy to assist with appointment bookings or offer further advice regarding any of our services.
Benefits of Airbag System Service
Functional airbag systems are essential to the safety of a vehicle in the event of an accident, meaning faults should be dealt with as soon as they become apparent. Bringing your vehicle to a quality centre such as Auto Service & Tuning Centre in Hitchin, Hertfordshire for airbag diagnostics and repair where required can result in a multitude of benefits, including;
Increased Accident Protection – airbag systems subject to an illuminated warning light will often fail to initiate inflation in the case of an accident. Undergoing an airbag diagnostic and repair with an airbag specialist can help ensure your safety in the event of an accident, and give you peace of mind whilst driving.
Insurance Compliance – many insurance companies base premiums on the presumption that the vehicle’s airbag system is functional. Additional costs may apply to vehicles with an illuminated warning light, and, in the case of an accident, claims may be difficult to navigate. Undergoing an airbag repair with an airbag specialist will ensure your vehicle is compliant with insurance requirements.
Increased probability of MOT pass – the presence of any illuminated warning lights within a vehicle leads to an automatic MOT failure in the vast majority of cases. Investigating and repairing your airbag system at the first indication of a fault increases your vehicle’s chances of passing an MOT dramatically.
Auto Service & Tuning Centre are accredited providers of Bosch standard servicing. Our highly trained technicians combine their unrivalled knowledge, and confident use of dealership standard diagnostic technology to provide a complete service, including extensive checks and adjustments, alongside scheduled part replacement using only quality, or manufacturer approved parts.
We don’t just offer Airbag System Repair and Diagnostics…
Airbag Repair FAQs
How do airbags work?
The airbag is an integral safety system installed in the vast majority of all modern cars sold in Europe. Their function is simple – yet incredibly effective in preventing serious injury in the case of an accident. Impact sensors placed around the car measure the force of all collisions or events experienced by the vehicle. If these sensors detect a collision forceful enough to cause injury, they trigger the ignition of a solid propellant with a hot spark, generating inert gas, which fills the airbag.
This gas forces the airbags to inflate and emerge at approximately 200mph from their housing (airbag placement varies from vehicle to vehicle), and is released through small holes which allow the bag to act as an impact absorber, rather than a solid object from which the passenger could deflect.
The speed at which the airbag inflates allows this process to occur in mere milliseconds, meaning the bag is ready for passenger impact before it takes place.
Why is my airbag light on?
The illumination of the airbag light or presence of an airbag warning notification on the console can indicate a number of issues with the airbag system, including, but not limited to;
Seatbelt Sensor Interference – the presence of foreign objects or debris in the seatbelt catch can indicate to the vehicle’s sensor system that the seatbelt is not fastened whilst in use, which often leads to the illumination of the airbag warning light.
Damaged under-seat wiring –internal wiring can often be damaged by actions as simple as placing objects under the driver and passenger seat. Damage to under-seat wiring in particular can cause the system to detect a fault in the vehicle’s airbags.
Damaged clock spring – The clock spring is an important part allowing for the turning of the steering wheel whilst maintaining a connection to the electrical system, horn, and most importantly, in this case, the airbag. A damaged clock spring can lead to disconnection from the airbag system, illuminating the airbag warning light accordingly. This is particularly common in older cars and often requires assistance from a specialist to rectify.
Previous accident – If the vehicle has already been in an accident in which the airbag was not triggered, the SRS warning light may stay illuminated until resetting is possible. Additionally, if the car has previously been flooded, wire corrosion may be to blame.
If your vehicle’s airbag light is illuminated, it is important to determine whether or not the cause is serious or minimal, and act accordingly. Auto Service & Tuning Centre is highly trained in airbag replacement and repair. Contact us, and one of our friendly advisors will be happy to assist in arranging a booking or provide further information regarding any of our services.
What are the types of airbag sensors?
Airbag sensors are an integral part of the vehicle safety system. The most important parts of the success of the airbag system are the crash sensors. These small pieces of electronic equipment are placed around the car and measure the force of all collisions or events experienced by the vehicle. If these sensors detect a collision forceful enough to cause injury, they trigger the ignition of a solid propellant with a hot spark, generating inert gas, which fills the airbag.
There are two primary types of airbag sensors, those with a ‘ball and tube’ mechanism, and those with a ‘metal roller’ spring-loaded weight, or accelerometer. The ‘ball and tube’ mechanism consists of a small tube containing a circuit switch and ball, held together by a magnet. If a collision forceful enough to dislodge the ball from the magnet occurs, the airbag will be triggered. Other, newer electrical designs work in a similar way, using alternative methods.
Mechanical sensors are designed to include a firing pin, which triggers a small explosion following a forceful enough collision. These sensors do not require an electrical power source, so cannot be deactivated like electrical sensors.
How fast can an airbag deploy?
Airbags must be able to deploy within milliseconds of the sensors detecting a forceful collision in order to work effectively. The average deployment time of an airbag is around 55 milliseconds, though this can vary slightly, with the discussion to deploy being made within 15-20 milliseconds of the first signs of a collision. In comparison to this, the average collision lasts from 120-170 milliseconds, meaning the airbag is fully deployed prior to major engagement.
Do I need to replace my airbag?
Airbag replacement is somewhat of a grey area. When the system was first popularised in the 1990s, many manufacturers advised a shelf life of 10-15 years, whilst others suggested airbags would last for the lifetime of the vehicle. This variation was a result of the inability of most manufacturers to establish a set lifetime for this safety feature.
Airbags used in modern cars are generally considered to be robust, and relatively resistant to wear and tear. They are able to be reset after accidents in most cases, meaning replacements are generally redundant. Most airbag replacements occur as a result of over-inflation in an accident to the extent that the airbags cannot be reset.
Main Depot.
42 Wilbury Way
Hitchin
Hertfordshire
SG4 0AP
Contact info.
Service hours.
Mon - Thur: 08:00 - 17:00
Fri: 08:00 - 18:00
Sat - Sun: Closed
Closed on bank holidays