'00 Hyundai Sonata Airbag Light

I'm looking at a used car whose only major defect seems to be the airbag
light on the dashboard which is on.
The dealer says it may be a $10 sensor or could be a $1000 repair.
The airbags have not been deployed and the car shows no signs of impact
(Carfax cleared it too).

The car is being sold "as is", and as buyers we are bit concerned what it
may cost to put it right.

The car is a 2000 Hyundai Sonata GLS with a very reasonable price providing
the cost of the airbag repair is not too extreme.

Thanks
Rich

 

And your question is...?

S25

 

LOL completely forgot about it!
Is this a common problem on Sonatas?
Like this light go on for nothing? or for it just changing the battery?

 

OoOps,
and if when it happens its expensive?
$10 or $1000?

 

The light shouldn't go on for nothing (OR changing the battery).

I don't know if it's common... The SRS system is complicated.
Many things are connected/working together. The light could go
on for a bad seat belt switch (cheap), a failed passenger prescence
detector, a failed seatbelt pretensioner or possibly a failed SRS
control module. A failed airbag would be (expensive). Is the vehicle
SRS system is still under warranty!

If you are REALLY interested in this car, you should take it to a
Hyundai service dealer and have them determine what the code(s)
is/are and possible repair cost. Might be worth US$150 or so?
ALSO (depends entirely on you/family), considering the number of
older cars still on the road without airbags, you might just buy the
car and drive it - as is!

Sorry I can't be of more help ( it would be interesting to know
what the code(s) are ).

S25

 

Okay, makes sense.
Do you know if it can pass the inspection (Georgia) with the airbag light
on?

Thanks
Rich

 

Could be $0 to more than $1000. Could be an issue for which there is a
recall (side air bag wiring) or a deployment which was not correctly
repaired, or anything in between, including low system voltage.

 

Take it to auto zone and they will read out the OBD codes for free. That
should give you an idea what the problem is. Assuming that a code is set for
the problem.
bill

 

Most places I know of will not pass a car with a 'fault' light.

S25

 

There will be a code, but generic scanners may not be able to read the air
bag system's codes.

 

Just came from the dealer there was 2 recalls on the airbag light.
Got it fixed for free.

Rich