Airbags deployed, where to start

[Snal]

wednesday night I was out and hit a rock I didn't see in time with my lower control arm. I'm replacing the arm tomorrow but the shock from the hit set off my airbags and I don't want to go to the dealer to have them drain my bank account so I have a few questions.

• What do I need?
  I know I'll need both bags, a new crash sensor and a computer reset. Is there anything I'm missing
• How to reset the computer?
  do the airbags have their own computer that I can just replace
• Where do I get the parts?

[Hooligan2c]

Junk yard the airbags, they are quite common. The bags themselves do not have the reset in them, they are just plug ins. You can probably find everything you need in they yard. I myself am not sure on the resetting of the computer though. If you need airbags, I can get them for you so shoot me an email.

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Air bag, crash sensor, if the seatbelt pretensioners went off you'll need those (not sure if a 00 ranger has em) and once the RCM (restraints control module) registers a deployment it needs to be replaced.

[Ranger Kip]

youd think theyd make these things resuable, well, guess its true, the more simple the better

[SeanWilson]

After a impact or a crash the sensor trips, to reset your trucks computer, which mainly turns your fuel pump back on (turns off so if your engine bay catches fire it wont push more fuel into it)
-there is a little push button switch on the passenger side floor board close to dead center of the glove box just pull the carpet back a little bit (at the top where it disappears up and into the dash) just about at the carpet line there is a little RED button. push that and it will reset your computer.

[MrRangerSir]

Originally Posted by SeanWilson

After a impact or a crash the sensor trips, to reset your trucks computer, which mainly turns your fuel pump back on (turns off so if your engine bay catches fire it wont push more fuel into it)
-there is a little push button switch on the passenger side floor board close to dead center of the glove box just pull the carpet back a little bit (at the top where it disappears up and into the dash) just about at the carpet line there is a little RED button. push that and it will reset your computer.

I don't think so.

All that red button does is reset the motion tripped breaker to the fuel pump. Nothing happens at the computer, much less the airbag module.

[Snal]

I plan on getting my passenger airbag and most of the parts from a junkyard I just want to make one trip and get everything at once. My seat belts still latch so I don't think I have the pretensioners. Where is the RCM located? is that the "computer" that needs to be reset?

[Snal]

ok so the new bags are in. if this happens to someone with a similar problem here's what I did. my truck is a 2000 and I read that if they look they same then they will work for the drivers airbag and I'm pretty sure all passengers work. I didn't have the seat belt tensioners so I didn't have to replace any of that.

I took out the battery and let it sit for about 30min to and hour with the headlights on to drain all power from the truck. I took out the drivers airbag then passenger and then the RCM. then I replaced both bags and connected the new sensor after both bags were in.

I reconnected the battery and my truck would beep slowly five times and repeat five times then would come back after 45 minutes of driving. The beeping is from a bad bulb in the cluster. I replaced it and I got airbag code 29. from my research airbag codes are supposed to disable the airbag system but this code wasn't listed as on of those. code 29 means that RCM is from another truck and doesn't match your trucks computer. I don't know yet how to get rid of this flashing code or if it disables my airbag system.

My truck is a 2000. my driver airbag is from a 99 and the passenger and RCM are from an 01. aside from the code everything works properly.

[pcollins]

Make sure that clock spring is in right on the steering wheel or you could be in for a surprise. As for the Code 29 i'm not too sure. 99 and 01 are same generation i think...

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

The RCM is a programmable module and needs to be configured to your truck using as built data. Something you need the dealer to do, or someone with a capable scan tool.

[JoshT]

Originally Posted by pcollins

Make sure that clock spring is in right on the steering wheel or you could be in for a surprise. As for the Code 29 i'm not too sure. 99 and 01 are same generation i think...

What for? He didn't remove the steering wheel, just the airbag from the steering wheel.

[Snal]

yeah I heard about the clockspring if the connecters for all of the cables are melted than I'd need a new clockspring but everything was fine so I didn't need to. I've yet to visit the dealer about the code but once I get all my other stuff fixed i'll be heading their way