SRS light does not come on when i turn the key on
 

So i went to the State Patrol to get my car inspected before i can get it licensed in Washington and the lady found out that my SRS light does not come on when I turn the key on. She said that its possible that i dont have an airbag in it. Well, the other day i found out that the SRS light does work. I was coasting into my drive way and needed to pop my trunk to get some stuff out and when i did that the SRS light came on. Has anyone had this happen to them? if so is there a way to fix it so that it comes on with the key? i need to figure this out so that i dont have to take it to the dealer and have them charge me like $500 to fix it. thanks!