$4k+ Airbag Fix?
 

Hello everyone, so about a year ago I left my windows down and it rained. :(

I damprid’d my car and got all the mositure out and dried off the floor mats the best I could. I reset my airbags with the amazing help of this forum and it worked perfectly... however everytime it rains and ONLY when it rains my light comes back on. And yes the windows are up lol.

So I took it to the dealership and they said the code was tripped but expired, I think they meant it was not permanent (passenger side under seat) after a $150 diagnostic charge they said if it comes back on, they will need to do a reinstall and the parts and labor were going to be $4k+.... I simply cant afford that and would have to sell my car :(

Any advice or help would mean the world, has anyone changed their air bag sensors themselves? I am very cautious to DIY on this seeing how airbags are VERY important.

Thanks for your time and help ahead of time. I also apologize in advance to any mods if this is in the wrong section.

Maybe look for used parts on Ebay?

Good idea, not sure if what parts I need however, you think it could be a leak in my weather seals or windows?

JrumMusic,

Chances are its a humidity related issue with your system somewhere. Corrosion of some connector causes it to disconnect under high humidity?

The auto restoration shop I work for part time replaces blown air bags with used ones occasionally. When doing so we also replace the airbag sensor for that particular air bag as well. We also send the cars to the appropriate dealership/shop to have the airbag system reset if our equipment can't do so or verify that everything is correct.

Note that these are cases, for instance, where the air bag deployed, but there was very little body damage, and no structural damage to the vehicle. The last one was the side curtain air bag on a 2006 BMW X5 that blew when the used car dealer dropped a rear wheel into a large pothole on his own dealership lot.

Its a viable solution if you are assured that the used airbag and sensors are in excellent working order. If you can't be assured that the parts are good ... don't go this route. You're life or the next owner's life may be at risk.

Greatly appreciate your input, that does make sense, maybe the water damage has slowly made it to where the humidity is effecting it. I am in Florida by the way lol... So this damn humidity is no joke. But when the dealership checked it out, they said it all checked out, no sensors were destroyed or damaged... just a old past code (trips the air bag light).

I am just stuck as far as what to do... Do I sell my car because I can't afford to fix it... or take my chances driving with no air bags... I need a car PERIOD. And who in their right mind would buy a car with no air bags working (even the dealership might not want the trouble)...

Do I just keep resetting it until it rains again, like I have been doing? Which makes me think, what if when I reset, its still not fixed... !?!?!?!?

It sucks because my car is an 09' with only 53k miles.. It runs great and is my babyyyyy lol. I would just hate to get rid of it because of a air bag issue.

Would you recommend doing any DIY fixes? Like a new sensor, fuses, wiring harness?

Once again, thanks for your insight and help.

A. Download the service manual for the car it's linked on this site somewhere in a sticky.

B. Read the SRS section with regards to wiring in the cabin area. Note where the wires and sensors are located.

C. Start taking apart panels and parts to find any discoloration or other signs of corrosion with the wiring and Clean/Replace any parts that you find damaged.

D. Check back after. This should be cheaper then 4k which they are just charging to replace everything since they don't know actually what's causing it.

I had a similar problem with. 350z I had, I sent the air bag control module out to be cleared. It was a few years back so I dont have the company info. Do a web search I'm sure you will find them. It was less then a week turn around. If I recall correctly it was about $50.00 total. The air bag system worked fine from then on.

Here are two sites that came up when searching " clear airbag control module"
https://help.myairbags.com/hc/en-us/...g-Module-Reset
https://www.safetyrestore.com/airbag...ule-reset.html

Good luck

Thanks for the tips my friend, I will definitely look into this. Yeah I was wondering why the cost was so much, but you are probably right...they would replace everything just to be on the safe side.

Appreciate your reply!!

Hey there, Thanks very much for the links my friend!! I am going to visit the sites now and see what I can do. *FINGERS CROSSED*

Greatly appreciate you!

Would the ACU be the part I would want to remove and have replaced?

Not sure you need to replace it, might be pricey. I would first try having the current one cleared. I think it is located under the center console on the 370z.

http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-w...ol-module.html

Of course for $50.00 you can purchase a refurbished one:
https://www.myairbags.com/product/ni...rt-988201ea0a/
A new ACM runs about $700.00

Not sure if this is relevant but whatever it is you need... hell even every component.. cant you just pull whatever you need from a 370z thats been scrapped from a junkyard?? im sure it would be a hell of a allot cheaper.

Might be a dumb suggestion as whatever you need may not be interchangeable like that not sure! but 4k sounds a bit excessive.

Gotcha!! I was wondering If they had the OEM replacement, but a Referb would be okay IMO.

I am going to try and take my seats out or move them around and see what I can pull up tomorrow, Thanks for linking that other post, I have to check under the center console.

Many thanks!!! :ughdance: