Im going to buy a 95 caprice classic but the air bag light is on. is that going to be a problem ?
Yes. Potentially a very expensive one.
If you love the car then get an expert to check the airbag fault out before you buy the car (preferably a franchised dealer, see below); if you're lucky then it's just a loose connection plug but even fiddling with one of those yourself can set the airbags off, instantly transforming the car into an economic write-off.
Even if there is just a loose connector then bear in mind that airbags generally have just a ten year design life and when they degrade sufficiently the diagnostic check that the car runs when starting up will also cause the warning light to illuminate. If the cause is purely due to age, then all of the airbags need replacing and once again you're into expensive territory. The airbags can be disconnected and left in place (potentially dangerous) or removed completely, but both of the latter options will be checked by insurers if you're in a crash and if discovered will invalidate your cover.
Note that if serviced at a franchised dealer, the airbag service life on many models can be extended. As an example, Volvo state that for vehicles manufactured between '93 and '96 can be re-certified to fifteen years, and with sufficient diagnostic testing models made from '87 to '92 can be re-certified to twenty years. This is possible based upon the results of the diagnostics and the manufacturer's ongoing test experience with their own products. General Motors (Chevrolet) will almost certainly have similar guidance for their products. If the airbag system passes the manufacturer's specified checks then the dealer can reset the diagnostic system to extinguish the warning light.
All you can do is to either accept that you may be saddled with the
costs of airbag replacement in the near future (not always available on
older models, so check beforehand) or to buy a Caprice which is much
younger or which has a service history showing that the work has been
done already.
I hope that this hasn't put you off buying the Caprice, although the
remedial work may cost more than the car is worth, it's still cheaper
than a new car and you'll have something a bit more different and
characterful than a new model. Airbags are one of many reasons that prices of older used cars can often be little more than scrap value. Old cars are cheap precisely because they need increasing sums of money spent on them to keep them safe, roadworthy and legal. New cars need less maintenance but lose a lot of money by depreciation (US= falling residuals).
If you have found my posting to be of use then please return the favour by rating my answer; if I haven't answered your question sufficiently then please add a comment instead and I'll try to assist you further.
The only way to turn it off is to correct the problem turning it on, once corrected it will turn off by itself. The light being on shows that there is a problem and that no air bags will deploy in the event of an accident until the light is off. There is a "clockspring" in the steering column that is probably broken. When the clockspring breaks, the airbag light comes on. The "clockspring" takes the place of the old slip rings and spring loaded contacts used in older cars to transfer circuits from the steering wheel to the stationary column making the airbag, horn and speed control operational. To replace involves removing the airbag
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