check air bag... smog...

[tupacboy]

Hello...

I have 2000 passat 1.8T. Today my check airbag light came on and yesterday I got my renewal from the DMV that says I need a smog check. Can I still take the test with a check airbag light? Also, I got a smog check last year, are they only good for 1 year?

Thanks

[bachviet]

Smog check is good for 2 years and I don't think airbag light would stop you to have your car smog-checked. Check engine light is another story.

[nhbilly]

Smog check is good for 2 years and I don't think airbag light would stop you to have your car smog-checked. Check engine light is another story.

:stupid:


unless they are trying to rip you off......

[mechmike0034]

A Check Airbag light is safety-related. Does Cali do safety inspections on motor vehicles? It is unrelated to vehicle emissions, but it wouldn't suprise me if a smog check station declined to smog the vehicle for fear that the malfunction in the airbag system could cause airbag deployment during the actual smog check.

Isn't the car run on a dyno to smog check it? Or do they just do an OBDII code check on '96 and newer cars?

Disclaimer - I'm not a lawyer nor a Cali resident. I know nothing about the laws and practices of CARB, BAR, or other Cali state agencies.

[rollhard]

Any kind of light on, will most likely cause you to fail an inspection of any kind. This is a common problem with VWs though.

[bachviet]

There is no inspection in CA.

[nhbilly]

A Check Airbag light is safety-related. Does Cali do safety inspections on motor vehicles? It is unrelated to vehicle emissions, but it wouldn't suprise me if a smog check station declined to smog the vehicle for fear that the malfunction in the airbag system could cause airbag deployment during the actual smog check.

Isn't the car run on a dyno to smog check it? Or do they just do an OBDII code check on '96 and newer cars?

Disclaimer - I'm not a lawyer nor a Cali resident. I know nothing about the laws and practices of CARB, BAR, or other Cali state agencies.

yes it is strapped to a dyno....

[Daedalus]

The airbag light is not part of the emission system and is not covered by the visual inspection. The vehicle inspection report is pretty clear on what items need to be checked. If a tech fails you for it ask them where it falls on the VIR. Worst case, suggest they need to check with the BAR before you do.

[Markel]

I had a Taurus (probably about 1990) that had the airbag light stay on. A dealer said it was probably a sensor failing, and it would be $300+ to fix. I just let the light stay on. (And no problems passing the Illinois emissions test.)

[rollhard]

I removed my steering wheel with AB on my mr2, the airbag light came on and I was failed my inspection for it. This was in NJ.

We got a customer here that got into an accident (CA) and the car looked fine. There wasnt any major damage (it was a $1200 fix..no frame damage, etc.) Anyhow, the insurance guy came to our shop and ruled it salvaged. When I asked him why, he said because the airbag deployed.

[Markel]

I removed my steering wheel with AB on my mr2, the airbag light came on and I was failed my inspection for it. This was in NJ.
I imagine that's a difference between a safety inspection and an emissions inspection (who knows, some places might do both). When I lived in Florida, I remember that they had a safety inspection (checked brakes, tires, headlights, wiper blades, etc. - that was long before airbag days). But Illinois only checks emissions - they read the engine diagostics chip on newer cars (older cars get an exhaust analysis on a dynamometer), verify catalytic converter and non-venting gas caps - that's about it.

[rollhard]

I imagine that's a difference between a safety inspection and an emissions inspection (who knows, some places might do both). When I lived in Florida, I remember that they had a safety inspection (checked brakes, tires, headlights, wiper blades, etc. - that was long before airbag days). But Illinois only checks emissions - they read the engine diagostics chip on newer cars (older cars get an exhaust analysis on a dynamometer), verify catalytic converter and non-venting gas caps - that's about it.

Yep, NJ checks everything all at once. They check airbag, brakes, struts, shocks, emissions, gas cap all at the same time. :puke:

[redcolours]

he he.. gas cap always gets everyone...

[rollhard]

he he.. gas cap always gets everyone...

haha i know you! Yeah, the gas cap got me a couple of times too.