airbag light comes on when extremely cold

For the past week now, we have been getting extremely cold temperatures. When I leave for work in the morning, my airbag light comes on for about 10 seconds about 2 or 3 miles into my trip and then goes out and doesn't come on again. Is this something I should worry about? I wouldn't want my airbag going off on me as I'm driving to work for no reason! Thanks for any help!

Usually (not always) an air bag warning light will indicate a fault in the system and store an error code. A scanner with SRS capability should be able to retrieve the error codes, helping to identfy the problems. When the warning lamp is on, the sysetm is usually disabled, but it would be best to check it soon.

I suspect there is an intermittent connection in the system aggrevated by the cold. That could be in the centering coil/clockspring in the steering column, which may be more temperature sensitive than other connections. If the SIR module detects a high resistance in either inflator circuit (from a poor connection) it will set the light on.

FWIW, I had a Cadillac which would actuate the horn whenever the temperature would drop to about -15ºF. Unfortunately, it usually gets coldest late at night, and I'd have to go out at all hours to disconnect the horn to save the battery (and any relationship I might have had with the neighbors). I found that the steering wheel pad would shrink in the cold, and it would compress just enough to close the horn sounder contacts. Somethnig similar could be happening to your system.

Thanks for the help! I'm glad it's not my horn like in your case!