Sure it wasnt inflatable restraint warning light? AKA the Airbag light? On start it should flash a few times to show it's working, then go out when it completes it's diagnostic check. If it comes on at any other time, I'd honestly just find the fuse and pull it. After a day or two, unplug the big YELLOW plug under the column with the airbag warnings all over it, and to make the light go out, pull the cluster and remove the bulb.

Because here's the thing... Early airbags are dangerous. I'd rather take my chances with the crash than have the crash plus an early attempt at an airbag exploding in my face. That and who's going to pay to fix the early airbag system?