What Happens If You Unplug or Tamper With an Airbag Module
After a vehicle accident, it’s common for warning lights to appear on the dashboard especially the airbag or SRS light. Some vehicle owners are tempted to unplug the airbag module or disconnect components in an attempt to “reset” the system or make the light go away. While this may seem harmless, tampering with an airbag module can create serious safety and diagnostic issues.
The airbag control module is the brain of your vehicle’s Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). It monitors crash sensors, controls airbag deployment, and communicates with seat belt pretensioners and other safety components. When it detects a fault especially after a collision it stores crash data and triggers a warning light for a reason.
Unplugging or tampering with the module does not erase this data. In many cases, it can:
Disable airbags or seat belt pretensioners
Cause permanent fault codes to be stored
Prevent proper system diagnostics
Create safety risks during future accidents
Complicate inspections or insurance-related repairs
In Houston, we frequently see vehicles arrive with additional problems caused by well-intentioned but improper attempts to “fix” an airbag light. Once the system has been altered, it can be harder to determine what failed during the accident versus what was changed afterward.
At DNA Safety Repair, we specialize in post-collision safety system evaluation, including SRS airbag module resets, seat belt diagnostics, and system verification. Our technicians follow proper procedures to address airbag module issues without compromising the vehicle’s safety design.
If your airbag light is on after an accident, the safest step is inspection not guesswork. Understanding what the system is reporting allows repairs to be done correctly and helps restore full safety function.
