if ur in an accident and have an airbag deploy but then replace the busted bag, do u have to change the main brain or can u somehow reset it?

 

You need to replace the sensor that tripped it, and the bag.
In most 4th gens, I believe the brain acts as the impact sensor as well.
In later 5th gens, there is a front impact sensor under the front radiator support.

 

what if it was a side impact? same concept? repalce the sensor that popped it? what about the brain?

 

the crash guide recomends replacing both the sensor that went off(probably in the hinge pilar) and the control module(brain), thats under the console.

 

Yeah, that sounds about right, replace the airbag (obviously), the crash sensor, and the main computer deal, and check all the wiring for breaks, shorts, sketch connections.

We have to do the same thing with toyotas. If you don't replace the center airbag sensor assy. (that's what we call the airbag ecu) after the crash, you usually will still get an airbag light on. Also have to re-calibrate the occupant detection system on the newer cars.

 

interesting.........

 

thanx for the prompt replies guys.

 

how about if you want to change the steering wheel??

the air bags comes out but what about the sensors??

 

I'm not sure what u mean, but the (impact) sensors are in the front of the car, all the steering wheel has is the actual airbag explosive thing, and the spiral cable or clock spring as it is called. Is that what u meant?

 

Actually, what you need is new air bags, and the SRS module reset. The SRS module has e-prom, so even if it loses power, if the airbag has been deployed, unless you erase the record of it, the new bags won't work. You need to have new air bags installed, and then have the module reset. I believe the dealer can do the resetting. Although I know many dealers don't do it themselves. Instead they send it to specialists nearby that handle all kinds of cars, and they primarily only reset SRS modules. Most of these places charge between $50-100 CDN in Toronto. Dealers obviously charge more, and typically don't even do it themselves.

 

so i dont need to replace the side impact sensor, just the bag and have the brain reset. interesting.

 

nissan recommends changing all. its a safety thing.
kida like how you change both struts at then same time. you may not need both, but its done as a preventative maintenance and to minimize the cost of a come-back(in the case of struts having to realign the car)

you may be able to reset the light, but high current goes through the entire system, which usually fries the computer/sensor. its not the first time i've see the wiring or clock spring burnt up. buy the combo on ebay or from a junk yard. if you cant, or already have the stuff, then try to reset it w/o the extra expense, but if it doesnt then you need them.

 

To be honest, there is no electrical worries towards using sensors that have been in an impact. There is no real risk of shorting or high current damage.

However, once the SRS deployment record has been erased, one also then needs to perform an SRS code check anyways. In fact, you can do it now. This check will allow you to check all the sensors. Basically, go have the e-prom reset as a minimum, and replace sensors if the SRS module detects a problem with any particular sensor.

Again, there is little risk of electrical damage to the sensors, only physical damage. Cut wires, damaged module from impact, etc, etc. But not just simply because it deployed.

 

anybody know where i can find a local place to do this without having to go to the dealer?

 

Can anyone confirm this? '99 Max. I'm installing new horns in front of my radiator and there's a little plastic connector/harness that looks like just a dead end but I want to make sure it's not an airbag sensor. It was clipped onto the front of the vertical crossmember in front of the radiator, right about the height of the Nissan emblem.

 

airbag harnesses are covered in yellow wire loom. theyre usually located on the frame rails, the earlier ones were on the radiator support

 

Ah, under the radiator support, I didn't read carefully. So that must be at the bottom of the car. I didn't see any yellow loom and it really just look like a clip holder so this couldn't be a collision sensor. Thanks!