I'm purchasing a 2007 Mazda 3 from a friend. The dashboard cluster air bag light is on and the passenger indicator light never comes on. One service dept said it is a bulb out on the passenger indicator light throwing a code that causes the dash light to stay on BUT the airbags will still deploy. Another service dept said the cause is the same but that the air bags will NOT deploy until the circuit board and bulb is replaced. Which is correct? I want to be sure the airbags deploy. Thanks in advance.

 

If the light is on, there is a defect, & the system is disabled.

Have had it read for a code ?

 

If the bulb is out, pick one up from the dealership. The bulb wattage is specific to the circuit. The air bag control module reads resistance across that circuit, amongst the other readings it takes during self test. Bulb burned out, failed test, red air bag warning light comes on and as Grim said, shuts down the air bag system.

 

Thanks for you help. That's what I needed to know!