Air Bag questions

[cdxhizors]

So the 97 I bought was in a wreck but air bags weren't deployed.. The drivers air bag is disconnected and the 2 screws are removed so it falls out all the time. I bought it like this so I asked the last owner(owned it for 11 years) and he said it was that way when he bought it and he thinks it was previously wrecked and repaired. The air bag light is on obviously.. What kind of risk would I run if I just plugged the bag back in? Could it blow up? Should I even chance it? I just want the light gone. The dinging isn't even noticeable. On one hand I wanna just bolt the steering wheel back together and say f it. On the other I wanna plug it back in but I'm afraid possibly one of the impact sensors is damaged and it would deploy on startup? How likely is this?

Thanks in advance..

 

[adsm08]

The system has redundant safe guards to prevent a false deployment like that. It has multiple G sensors that must all agree before the module will trigger a deployment, I believe the speed sensor input is considered, so a deployment below 25 MPH is pretty much impossible. Also, if the light is on the system is disabled, cannot and will not deploy air bags.

Now, with all that said I absolutely would not plug in an airbag that was not (or wouldn't be before driving) properly secured to the vehicle. You have already said that the driver's airbag falls out just driving around. If you are in an accident and that thing deploys while falling and it's pointed at your torso and not your face it could break ribs, rupture your spleen, punch you in the balls, etc.

Air bags are pyrotechnic devices containing a dynamite charge, albeit a small one, and should always be handled as if they are high explosives because they are. Frankly given the safety risks involved having the light on is a small annoyance verses the consideration that a deployment at an improper angle due to not being properly secured could KILL YOU.

Go get the bolts to secure it properly before plugging it in. In fact I don't think I'd even have the unit in the steering wheel if it wasn't properly secured.

 

[black_demon69]

The system has redundant safe guards to prevent a false deployment like that. It has multiple G sensors that must all agree before the module will trigger a deployment, I believe the speed sensor input is considered, so a deployment below 25 MPH is pretty much impossible. Also, if the light is on the system is disabled, cannot and will not deploy air bags.

Now, with all that said I absolutely would not plug in an airbag that was not (or wouldn't be before driving) properly secured to the vehicle. You have already said that the driver's airbag falls out just driving around. If you are in an accident and that thing deploys while falling and it's pointed at your torso and not your face it could break ribs, rupture your spleen, punch you in the balls, etc.

Air bags are pyrotechnic devices containing a dynamite charge, albeit a small one, and should always be handled as if they are high explosives because they are. Frankly given the safety risks involved having the light on is a small annoyance verses the consideration that a deployment at an improper angle due to not being properly secured could KILL YOU.

Go get the bolts to secure it properly before plugging it in. In fact I don't think I'd even have the unit in the steering wheel if it wasn't properly secured.

listen to adsm hes right. one other thing to add is if you choose to plug it back in yourself disconnect the battery. however in this case it is best to take it to a qualified shop like the dealer. (normally i advocate DIY but in this case)

 

[cdxhizors]

Well, I'll disconnect the battery and let it sit for a while then plug it in.. I definitely wouldn't plug it in till I can secure it. That's just asking for trouble. As much as I would like the dealer to do it they are ridiculous down here with pricing and don't care to help. If I took it there I'm sure they'd deny me service since its been wrecked.

 

[adsm08]

There isn't anything to really worry about by doing it yourself. Disconnect the battery, find and remove the fuse for the airbag module, wait about 90 seconds, and the danger is over.

Honestly, when working on airbag systems I don't even do that much. The warnings about depowering the system are more for legal/liability reasons than to protect against real injury. The idea is that an arc that jumps between the pins while being plugged in COULD trigger the airbag and set it off. In reality the practical chance of that happening is very low, probably less than 1%.

 

[cdxhizors]

There isn't anything to really worry about by doing it yourself. Disconnect the battery, find and remove the fuse for the airbag module, wait about 90 seconds, and the danger is over.

Honestly, when working on airbag systems I don't even do that much. The warnings about depowering the system are more for legal/liability reasons than to protect against real injury. The idea is that an arc that jumps between the pins while being plugged in COULD trigger the airbag and set it off. In reality the practical chance of that happening is very low, probably less than 1%.

I'll attempt it today. Thank you..its flashing code 32.. Where can I get a list for the 97? I found later models.

 

[don4331]

If the airbag has deployed, just connecting a new, functional airbag up will NOT result in the air bag light going out. The Restraint Control Module has a memory which must either be cleared by dealership or module replaced. The number of times the airbag light flashes before it comes on, tell you what it things is problem.

RCMs are very specific: I think the latest ones include VIN in the module, but your '97 would just be year/model - Pull the existing one and then get the correct replacement e.g. 1L5A-14B321-AA. (That's number for '99 SuperCab 4dr 2wd; probably not correct for you but you get the idea).

Note: When the driver's airbag goes off; it usually trashed the "clock spring" and you have to replace that as well. "clock spring" is part which allows steering wheel to rotate while the wires remain stationary.

 

[don4331]

I'll attempt it today. Thank you..its flashing code 32.. Where can I get a list for the 97? I found later models.

A code 32 on your vehicle is:
Fault code - B1932 Flash code - 32 Driver Air Bag Circuit Resistance High

Either air bag not connected, deployed or clock spring damaged. Or maybe multiple of above.

 

[cdxhizors]

The air bag was not deployed. It's disconnected so I'll connect it and see if it goes away.

 

[cdxhizors]

Attempted to plug it in but the connectors are barely different. There's a guide or tab that sticks out on the right side of the male connector but no track for it to go into on the female. If I cut that tab off it would plug right in and the 2 wires would connect. But now I'm wondering what the hecks up with this? Is the bag from a newer model or something?

 

[97RangerXLT]

my guess is that the previous owner wrecked it enough to deploy the original airbags, and then replaced them from a different year truck (hence the connector differences) and decided not to go any further after he couldn't get it working.

Soo... you will have to decide on whether or not you want to spend the time and money getting it all up and going again. you might have to replace the airbag (again) to get one that hooks up, and you might have to replace other items in the airbag system such as the sensor, control module etc... also take a look at the passenger side airbag as well, make sure that it is hooked up properly.

AJ

 

[97RangerXLT]

my guess is that the previous owner wrecked it enough to deploy the original airbags, and then replaced them from a different year truck (hence the connector differences) and decided not to go any further after he couldn't get it working.

Soo... you will have to decide on whether or not you want to spend the time and money getting it all up and going again. you might have to replace the airbag (again) to get one that hooks up, and you might have to replace other items in the airbag system such as the sensor, control module etc... also take a look at the passenger side airbag as well, make sure that it is hooked up properly.

AJ

 

[adsm08]

Sounds like it is from a different, incorrect, year.

 

[cdxhizors]

No passenger air bag.. The last owner is being really honest and helpful with the truck and knows it didn't deploy on him(since it was already disconnected when he bought it). So, I'm gonna disassemble the dash and put a price of tape over the air bag light and forget about it. It doesn't ding annoyingly. Thanks for the help everybody!