Ever had to replace an airbag?
Discussion
I've had a problem with an airbag light coming on intermittently on my car. Sometimes if I switch off the ignition and re-start it goes, sometimes it doesn't (or comes back).
The code is suggesting a driver side seat airbag apparently. I'm told that the fault is not the wiring, it's the airbag itself, which requires replacing at a cost of nearly £500.
I'm a bit nervous about this because I've never ever heard of anyone having to replace a faulty airbag before, and let's face it, all cars have them now. I have heard of people having bad wiring connections occasionally though. What concerns me is whether the garage are just thinking "can't find a fault with the wiring, therefore must be the airbag".
Incidentally, since they've fiddled about with it the light hasn't come on since, although I've only used the car four or five times since then (normally though, it would have come on within the time frame).
The car is an Oct 2006 Mazda with 24,000 miles on it so not exactly an ancient or high mileage banger.
Just interested in people's thoughts and experiences on this, am I being paranoid that they've not checked it thoroughly, or are airbags prone to simply going faulty?
I should add I have no problem with paying for a new airbag if it needs it, I'm just a bit concerned that they're assuming it's this simply because they can't find an (intermittent) wiring fault.
The code is suggesting a driver side seat airbag apparently. I'm told that the fault is not the wiring, it's the airbag itself, which requires replacing at a cost of nearly £500.
I'm a bit nervous about this because I've never ever heard of anyone having to replace a faulty airbag before, and let's face it, all cars have them now. I have heard of people having bad wiring connections occasionally though. What concerns me is whether the garage are just thinking "can't find a fault with the wiring, therefore must be the airbag".
Incidentally, since they've fiddled about with it the light hasn't come on since, although I've only used the car four or five times since then (normally though, it would have come on within the time frame).
The car is an Oct 2006 Mazda with 24,000 miles on it so not exactly an ancient or high mileage banger.
Just interested in people's thoughts and experiences on this, am I being paranoid that they've not checked it thoroughly, or are airbags prone to simply going faulty?
I should add I have no problem with paying for a new airbag if it needs it, I'm just a bit concerned that they're assuming it's this simply because they can't find an (intermittent) wiring fault.
Mazda airbag connectors have shorting bar in them - the idea of this is to dissipate any stored electrical current from the circuit on disconnection
It's not uncommon for the two connectors to come apart slightly - particularly when the seat is moved backwards and forwards a lot.
If this happens, the shorting bar contacts err contact, and leave a fault code behind for high circuit resistance
When the dealer tests the circuit, they should have disconnected the plug and after testing reconnected it - this will have put circuit resistance back to normal, hence the light has not come back on
If you can locate the connector, stick a cable tie arcoss/around them(as tightly as you can) which stops the two harness connectors becoming dislodged - that should stop it ever reoccurring
Airbags themselves very rarely fail because of the safety related nature of them
It's not uncommon for the two connectors to come apart slightly - particularly when the seat is moved backwards and forwards a lot.
If this happens, the shorting bar contacts err contact, and leave a fault code behind for high circuit resistance
When the dealer tests the circuit, they should have disconnected the plug and after testing reconnected it - this will have put circuit resistance back to normal, hence the light has not come back on
If you can locate the connector, stick a cable tie arcoss/around them(as tightly as you can) which stops the two harness connectors becoming dislodged - that should stop it ever reoccurring
Airbags themselves very rarely fail because of the safety related nature of them
That's very interesting, thank you for that.
The car is an MX5. The seat doesn't get moved generally as obviously it's a 2 seater so no one has to get in the back, and my girlfriend is a very similar height to me so other than tilting the backrest up a bit (she prefers to sit more upright) the seat stays where it is.
I'm just really concerned that I'm going to be spending a load of cash replacing an item that simply isn't faulty.
The car is an MX5. The seat doesn't get moved generally as obviously it's a 2 seater so no one has to get in the back, and my girlfriend is a very similar height to me so other than tilting the backrest up a bit (she prefers to sit more upright) the seat stays where it is.
I'm just really concerned that I'm going to be spending a load of cash replacing an item that simply isn't faulty.
Superhoop said:
Mazda airbag connectors have shorting bar in them - the idea of this is to dissipate any stored electrical current from the circuit on disconnection
It's not uncommon for the two connectors to come apart slightly - particularly when the seat is moved backwards and forwards a lot.
If this happens, the shorting bar contacts err contact, and leave a fault code behind for high circuit resistance
When the dealer tests the circuit, they should have disconnected the plug and after testing reconnected it - this will have put circuit resistance back to normal, hence the light has not come back on
If you can locate the connector, stick a cable tie arcoss/around them(as tightly as you can) which stops the two harness connectors becoming dislodged - that should stop it ever reoccurring
Airbags themselves very rarely fail because of the safety related nature of them
That's brilliant, thanks. Whereabouts am ?I likely to find this connector, and what does it look like?It's not uncommon for the two connectors to come apart slightly - particularly when the seat is moved backwards and forwards a lot.
If this happens, the shorting bar contacts err contact, and leave a fault code behind for high circuit resistance
When the dealer tests the circuit, they should have disconnected the plug and after testing reconnected it - this will have put circuit resistance back to normal, hence the light has not come back on
If you can locate the connector, stick a cable tie arcoss/around them(as tightly as you can) which stops the two harness connectors becoming dislodged - that should stop it ever reoccurring
Airbags themselves very rarely fail because of the safety related nature of them
Rich_W said:
Superhoop said:
Airbags themselves very rarely fail because of the safety related nature of them
Did you know they hav a "shelf life" though. Depending on manufacturer between 10 years and 30ish (IIRC) Fact is, almost every car ever built would be "written off" rather than undergo the cost of airbag system replacement. Especially so with multiple air-bags.
To date, accidents where airbags have "failed to fire" without warning are virtually unheard of. Mind you, if there's a fault light then something needs sorting...
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