Dodge Repair: 2005 Dodge Ram Hemi 1500 Quad, dodge ram hemi, passive restraint systems

Question
We had our truck in for regular factory service on Friday.  Today the idiot light for the air bag came on and won't go off.

What needs to be done.  Dodge said they need the truck for about 4 hours.  Not possible to take it back in until next Wed.

Is there a danger here?

Thanks

Answer
In the event of an Airbag light coming on you should only be aware that some or all of your airbags will not deploy in the event of an accident.

In the last few years there have been numerous break-throughs in passive restraint systems including side-impact airbags, ratcheting seats and one of the most recent is Next Generation Airbag systems.  These NG systems have the ability to weigh the occupant and determine at what speed and which airbags need to be deployed in the event of an accident.

On the flip side they are very sensative and frequently will set fault codes for what you think to be no reason at all.  If you lay something in the seat such as a briefcase or box and leave it there for several days of driving the sensors zero themselves back out.  When you remove the box the sensors see a negative weight thus throwing the passenger airbag lights on.  Pressing on the back of the seat will do this as well.

I can't remember right off if the new trucks have this feature or not but it is easy to find out.  Get in the truck, turn it on and check for lights.  If you do NOT have weight sensative seats then you will ONLY have the airbag light on the dash and the switch (if equipped) to disable the passenger side airbag.  If you DO have weight sensative seats then you will have a display illuminate probably to the right of the radio somewhere showing the system is disabled then the light will go out (normally).

Regardless, your airbags won't work properly should you need them.  Oh... also the seat belts are tied in to the airbag system too so you will have the standard tilt-and-lock feature but a sinching action may not take place in the event of an accident either.
Doug