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The light does NOT self-extinguish unless the code itself has been reset. This means, you get to find out what the problem is.
Finding out is, in itself, no big trick. It is probably a code "5", which in airbag language is something I don't remember off the top of my head.
You can try the following. Similar instructions (although perhaps more accurate if mine don't work) are in the 700/900FAQ section accessible under "features" at the top menu bar.
First turn the ignition to "on" (Key position II) But don't start the car. Remove the panel that says "SRS" on the center console between the a/c switch and the cig lighter. Remove the lighter from the socket. Take a wire and run it from the SRS test port that is now exposed, to the lighter socket. Hold it for a solid 2 seconds or so on the outer area of the lighter socket (don't shove it all the way in). Watch the SRS light. It should flash briefly when you break the connection with the test wire and then flash a code. The code is how many times the light flashes. It flashes in metered intervals so you shouldn't have a problem figuring out what the code was. I have seen nothing but code 5 on the SRS lights. I have never replaced any airbag component (except blown airbags themselves). Often the connector in the center console/transmission tunnel area becomes fouled with corrosion, but it isn't that bad usually.
To reset the code, try the following: touch the test wire to the lighter socket again, but this time touch and remove it three times within something like 4 or 5 seconds if I recall correctly. The light should go out, come on, and then go out again.
You might have to try the reset function a few times. As far as I know, you MUST read the code out of the system before you can actually reset it, so don't skip right to the reset part.
IF you just can't get it to reset, pull the battery cables, clean the connections thoroughly. All of them. Then do the chassis ground near the battery. ANY voltage situation that causes a certain threshhold to be exceeded (or not reached) can but doesn't always cause an SRS fault code. Additionally, jump starting a vehicle can sometimes cause a problem with the system. Like the ABS system, it is very voltage sensitive.
There is only one other "typical" voltage related fault which is a result of immediate voltage drop in the system. First is no voltage or low voltage (battery connections or as Rob B. mentioned in the previous post, destroyed or fouled connections). That may or may not set a permanent code, as sometimes you will get a concurrent SRS and ABS light--typically the result of a loose battery cable or corroded connections. That one usually shows up when the ABS does it's drive-away self test and is a sure sign that there is a connection problem in the battery area.
If you cannot get the code reset, you might have to follow up with more sophisticated diagnostics. If the airbag module itself is bad, you can pick them up used for far less expensive prices than dealers sell them for new. The crash sensor--at over a thousand bucks--is another salvage yard piece (and don't pay $500... it's not worth it). At any rate, you should get a good jump start on this by just trying what i've outlined. Again the procedures might be a little inaccurate but I never use the SRS manual when I do airbag code pulling and reset the light.
I have done a few for customers who went elsewhere and were told that people wouldn't service the SRS system because of "liability". All I could think was, "Yes, sir, we feel it is better for you to drive with a NON functional airbag, than one that works. Or even one that MIGHT work." It made no sense to me, but I heard it just the same, more than once. One guy got blown off by several shops and I just reset it and a year later--still OK. A lot like check engine lights--I've reset a bunch of those that were stuck in permanent self-diagnostic cycles and NO shop was able to reset.
So... see what you can do. Report back with problems in case someone else might (likely DOES) know more than I've illustrated for you here.
--
1992 940 wagon, very low miles
as well as others.
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