How to Reset Airbag Light on Chevy Avalanche

As part of the SRS or Supplement Restraint System, the airbag and its warning light on the dash panel play a crucial role in your on-road safety. It is normal for the airbag light to momentarily turn on during your vehicle’s systems check (upon turning on the ignition). But if it goes beyond a 7-second duration, you’ll need to immediately identify the cause behind its unusual illumination and promptly address the problem source.

Some ways to reset the airbag light on a Chevy Avalanche include inspecting the airbag light fuse, confirming the control module is in good shape, and resetting the airbag light with a diagnostic scan tool. Some fixes are DIY, although others may require a qualified technician.

For a more detailed rundown, here are the six steps on how to reset your airbag light on a Chevy Avalanche:

1. Verify if any fuses are blown.
2. Disconnect the battery and test it.
3. Check for loose or corroded connections.
4. Reset using a diagnostic scanner or specialized tool.
5. Ascertain that the airbag control module is not compromised.
6. Look into recent repairs or mods on your Chevy.

If you find it incredulous that there are only six steps to solving this (sometimes pesky) problem, know that the rest of the process has already been discussed in detail in an earlier guide I posted. That said, you can revert to both articles should you wish to perform a more extensive diagnosis of your airbag light predicament.

You may also find this other guide on why your airbag turns on helpful.

How to Reset the Airbag Light on a Chevy Avalanche

As stated, the procedure for resetting the airbag light on most Chevrolet vehicles is detailed in another article I highlighted earlier.

Since these general guidelines practically cover dealing with a vehicle’s SRS or Supplement Restraint System, this article will add potential oversights to the existing list. So without further ado, let’s discuss the other crucial steps in terms of how to reset the airbag light on a Chevy Avalanche:

1. Verify if any fuses are blown.

Like all other electrical features, the airbag light is linked to a network of fuses, sensors, and wiring that collaborate to identify faults within the system. As such, a blown airbag light fuse would cause the SRS to malfunction and the airbag light to activate (intermittently or otherwise) on your four-wheeler.

To determine whether or not this is the case, inspect your Chevy’s fuse box for any blown fuses related to the airbag system. If any are found, replace them immediately with same-spec fuses.

2. Disconnect the battery and test it.

Check on the state of your car battery. To do this, disconnect the battery’s negative terminal and wait approximately 15 minutes before reconnecting it. Doing this simple procedure can sometimes help reset the airbag light. If it doesn’t, your car battery may be running low on voltage or compromised.

Check if the battery displays one of many weak car battery symptoms, address the problem source, or replace your battery altogether if found extremely worn or irreparable. Otherwise, a battery charger and maintainer (view on Amazon) should get your car battery back to full-charge status.

3. Check for loose or corroded connections.

Because corrosion is such a common culprit behind electrical-related vehicular issues, it is often overlooked (if not inadvertently forgotten) come inspection and diagnosis. I know — I’ve actually missed including it in my previous article about airbag light resets.

Nonetheless, how corrosion renders electrical connections defective is pretty self-explanatory. Once you see that bluish-greenish substance forming around the connectors, you know that issues with electrically powered car functions will eventually occur.

Corrosion can result from exposure to moisture, road salt, and other environmental elements. In contrast, loose connections may arise due to incorrect installation, wear and tear, or impact collision (among other things). Although the likelihood of these scenarios is inevitable, regular inspection and periodic maintenance of these components go a long way in preventing corrosion.

4. Reset using a diagnostic scanner or specialized tool.

Utilize a specialized airbag reset tool or OBD-II scanner like an Autel MaxiCon Ultra Lite Scanner (view on Amazon) specifically designed for your Chevy Avalanche. These tools can communicate with your Chevy’s onboard computer system to turn off the SRS light.

However, before you perform this step, your car’s ignition should be turned to the “ON” position without cranking the engine. Afterward, connect the OBD-II tool to the 16-pin diagnostic port beneath the dashboard, adjacent to the steering column.

Once the diagnostic scanner is plugged into the port, find the PCM menu — and continue navigating until you get to the “Airbag System” — while using the arrow keys to select the options “Codes” and “Clear All Codes” for stored or past errors. Otherwise, address DTCs displaying the statuses “Present” or “Current” first.

Those who’ve read my post on How to Reset the Airbag Light may notice that I have reiterated this step in today’s guide. This is because checking your vehicle’s electricals using an OBD-II diagnostic scanner should be done later rather than immediately after performing a soft power reset on the 4×4.

5. Ascertain that the airbag control module is not compromised.

Suppose you experience sporadic warning light behaviors, get false warning indications, non-responsiveness when using an OBD-II scanner, or your airbag won’t deploy when needed. In that case, chances are your airbag control module is in jeopardy.

If it is the culprit behind the illuminated airbag light on your Chevy Avalanche, resetting the SRS light may not be as straightforward as you’d prefer. In such situations, it is strongly recommended to have a qualified technician remedy the faulty control module. Outsourcing the task to a professional ensures the proper function of the airbag system and that remedial actions aptly address any underlying issues.

6. Look into recent repairs or mods on your Chevy.

As with all other prevalent issues, modifications and repairs can cause your rig’s airbag light to illuminate. In certain instances, inadequate disconnection and reconnection of a component during a repair may result in the airbag light of your Chevy Avalanche setting off. The same is true for third-party mods potentially carried out haphazardly on your vehicle.

For both situations, taking your four-wheeler back to the mechanic who performed these changes is crucial. Or, if you did them yourself, revisit all SRS-affecting components or systems relevant to the repair or modification done to ensure that nothing is amiss.

Conclusion – How to Reset the Airbag Light

In summary, here are six additional steps on how to reset the airbag light on a Chevy Avalanche (the rest of the procedure can be found in another article on How to Reset the Airbag Light):

1. Verify if any fuses are blown.
2. Disconnect the battery and test it.
3. Check for loose or corroded connections.
4. Reset using a diagnostic scanner or specialized tool.
5. Ascertain that the airbag control module is not compromised.
6. Look into recent repairs or mods on your Chevy.

If you suspect a recall affecting your four-wheeler, keep an eye out for DMV mail and check the NHTSA website with your vehicle’s VIN. This is especially important for secondhand vehicles, as 2008-2010 Chevy Avalanche models were reportedly recalled for faulty front passenger airbag inflators (this could potentially be related to the illuminated airbag light you are faced with).