I was unlucky enough to hit a deer head on tonight with my 99 GXE and it deployed both front airbags The front end damage I can repair myself but I have no idea what parts I need to fix the airbags.

I do want the system working again, I dont want a simple cosmetic repair. So I need to ask exactly what parts I will need to get the system working again. Of course I know I will need to the two airbags.. but after that I am lost. I know there must be some other sensors and stuff that I will need to get the system working again. I wont install the parts myself, I just need to know what parts to order other than the airbags.

Also, my front seat belts have locked up. I wasnt wearing mine but it is locked up so tight I can play it like a guitar string. My wife was wearing her belt and it too is locked up. Is there any way to reset the belts or do I have to replace them?

Thanks guys for the help. I would take the time to read through the tons of threads but I have lots of business to take care of and need to get the parts ordered ASAP as I need my maxi back up and running ASAP.

 

Air Bag laws vary by state. Here in New York, I can't so much as take a wrench to them. Its a dealer only repair. You will need the two air bags, and an air bag control module. As well as having the entire system reset. As for the seat belts, they're done. If your lucky enough to find them from a junkyard car that didn't have its airbags deployed, take that route. Otherwise, i suggest belt system from a 95, possibly 96 im not sure. I took mine from a 95 after my curb run in. If its legal where you are to do it yourself or take to a regular shop, do so. In order for the dealer to replace it and reset the system, you have to buy the air bags, control module, and seat belt harness DIRECTLY FROM THEM in order for them to reset the system because of liability issues. All said and done at a dealer expect to pay $2500 or more. Its a big deal. To find out if its legal to have it repair elsewhere contact a shop first, the dealer will most likely lie to you anyway and say you have to bring it to them. Good luck.

 

If you are repairing your own car after a collision that does not involve the car being classified as a total or rebuilt, I would think that you would be fine. If insurance money is involved, and they will continue to insure the car after the repair is complete, then that may be an issue.

Regardless of how you go, the entire system will have to be replaced. I would suggest finding the set of bags & module from a rear ended car. And yes, you will need the seat belts as well. Plan on checking the spiral cable behind the steering wheel for heat damage also. The airbag produces a lot of heat when it deploys, and can melt the wiring & connectors easily.

 

If you did not report the accident to the insurance then they as far as insurance goes your car is fine, But you will need to replace the entire srs system and as in previous posts both airbags, control module,.... and of course seat belts. If this all done the system can be reset by a local shop.

Note as far as resetting Im not 100% sure but if your new control module is good and if you just plug it with out resetting it and it should work. But like I said I'm not sure of that

 

Thanks for the replys guys. My wife drives the car and leaving it without airbags is out of the question. The only way I am letting my wife drive the car is if it has a working SRS system.

I can put the bags, module and seatbelts in myself but I am unsure about resetting the system. I envision putting in new bags and having them pop as soon as the key is turned

My hope is that if I pull the battery cable and replace everything at the same time that the system will reset itself when the battery is reconnected.

 

why the seat belts?

 

They permanently lock up when the airbags are deployed. I wasnt even wearing my seat belt and it locked up so tight I can thump it and it gives off a humm like a guitar string.

 

That is usually the case. If power from the battery is removed before the airbag system is disconnected, the module does not record a fault. Typically a wrecked car will have the power interrupted at some point before the car is dismantled, usually at the time of impact or demise. If you reassemble the entire system in your car before restoring power, you should be fine.

 

what key???

 

i have swapped out airbags/seatbelts/srs modules many times on all makes and models. it is not as hard as it might sound. You'll need the secret hex bit to take them off (airbags and module). If you're replacing parts from another car (cheapest route) then most likely you'll need to reset module which you can do yourself. Make sure you disconnect the battery before you begin. Replace driver and passanger airbags, seatbelts then the module. Make sure all connections are good and secure (including the clockspring connection behind the driver airbag). Once everything is connected, connect the battery and turn over key in ignition to "ON" position and watch the SRS light, it should go off after about 7 seconds, if it starts to blink, you'll need to reset the system which you can do via the door jamb switch on driver door.

Instructions are on the forum, i can help you locate them if you need me to.

also note the 97-99 came with two different styles of driver airbags, the GXE/GLE style and the SE style. Also, passanger airbag is slightly different it goes 95-97 and 98-99, though you can make them fit.

Seatbelts only fit from another 99 and will most likely be the hardest to find at a junk yard that are same color, good condition and not locked up.

 

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...-blinking.html

 

not sure what color interior you have but:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1998-...Q5fAccessories

 

heres a tan color set:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1998-...Q5fAccessories

 

why the eff would you hit a deer?

 

Nice deep bass tone BOOOOONNNNNGGGG

 

You are the man! Thanks for all that info, just what I needed. I am the current high bidder on the black airbag link you sent lol

The airbag light isnt blinking, its on all the time with no flashing.

I guess I will have to buy the belts new I looked around and all I could find used is the rear seat belts.

 

Well, it was either hit a deer or run off the road and into the trees. Seemed like the deer was the best option. A whole line of 4 deer bolted out into the road and it was raining so there was no way I was stopping in time. I can usually have some fun and use the deer as a slalom course.. but this time there was too many to weave my way through them.

This will let you know just how redneck of an area I live in. The ambulance driver asked if I wanted the deer and I said no because I figured the meat would be bloodshot and no good. Well, he said he would take it and see what meat he could salvage and he picked it up and hurled it into the back of the ambulance. Now if that aint redneck.. I dont know what is

 

wierd. mine never locked up. i just replaced the airbags and module and called it good. no clockspring damage either.

 

I was thinking why the eff were you not wearing the seatbelt?


If you do the body repair yourself, don't overlook that obvious, and that is to make sure that the gold contacts the touched and caused the airbag to go off are not still touching....

 

i was only kidding dude, just trying to be a ****. nice to hear the story though

 

Sucks!

 

bump!

 

bumpttt!

 

why are you here?

 

I never wear it unless I am the passenger, I just dont like it. I have been through countless accidents and have never worn it. I ran a frontier through a power pole and kept myself in place just by holding the wheel. Pushed the wheel into the dash because the column collapsed... all the pesky airbag did was give me some burns on my wrists. When I am a passenger and I dont have a wheel to brace myself with then I opt to wear the belt. But when driving I find it very annoying. Not saying seatbelts dont save lives or that others shouldnt wear them.. I just dont like them and it is my choice.

What gold contacts are you talking about? I am replacing both airbags, the seat belts and the entire airbag control module... havent heard anything about any "gold contacts".

 

Some models have the seatbelts tied in with the SRS system and they lock up. I dont know which models/years do or dont.. all that I know is that my 99 GXE did and its going to be a pain in the *** to find used front belts that arent already locked up. There are rear belts all over ebay.. but no front belts.

Good news is I got both bags and the module off of ebay for $158 shipped

I hope that there was no clockspring damage, I havent taken it apart yet to find out.

 

Ha, I was already watching these before you posted the link. I won em.. pretty damn good deal! Now if only I can find some front belts!

 

I don't mean to be a jerk but if you don't even use a seat belt why bother with airbags?

 

Because my wife drives the car more than I do and there is no way I am letting her drive a car without a intact and working SRS. If the entire system isnt repaired then the seat belts wont even work properly since they are tied into the SRS system.