Dealer saying that airbag door sensor failing due to aftermarket speakers
 

I find it very hard to believe that some door speakers can create sufficient pressure to cause the satellite sensor in the door to fail. I am pretty sure it cannot generate as much pressure as a 15 mph collision. This is what they are telling me though. Also, my side airbags will not fire when this sensor is not working correctly.... great

Anyone had similar problems?

Any solutions?

I suspect a wiring problem.

IIRC, the crash sensors are actuated by acceleration, so pressure is not the problem. But the pressure waves that a speaker produces cause vibrations (acceleration). It's possible that the speakers are vibrating the hell out of the sensors but that sounds like a long shot to me and would be more of a sensor mounting problem.

I don't know if it is true for 370z's, but many cars have air pressure sensors in the doors to improve side-impact performance when used in conjunction with acceleration monitors. These sensors measure pressure changes in the door cavity itself.

Making Sense of Automotive Pressure Sensors | Sensors

So, I guess it is theoretically possible that an aftermarket speaker could be disturbing your airbag system. If the back of the speaker is not sealed, maybe using a speaker baffle might help? IDK.... maybe worth a try, as I don't think they are too expensive.

are you fixing a car with the air bag deployed ?


and are any of the seat belts locked up ? meaning they wont retract ?

I will give the baffle idea a try but I still think they are full of **** and just are using that as an excuse so they do not have to do the work under warranty

No, none of the seatbelts are locked up and the airbags have never deployed. After I installed my aftermarket headunit and 6x9 door speakers, the airbag light has been on so I took it in and they told me it was the satellite sensors in the door.

The dealer is full of **** about air pressure from that small of a speaker on component level wattage.. Maybe if you installed 8-10 inch mid bass speakers on a lot of power on top of air sealing the panel (basically making it a speaker box).

Did you run after market wires to the new speakers? could have damage the sensor wires when running them or even knocked the sensor loose when installing. I would check those first.

I know this is late, but did you disconnect the wire going to the airbag light when replacing your head unit? The light thats on the trim piece around the radio? If so, you just need to reset your airbag light, which can be found here in the DIY section.

6x9s can generate some pulsating pressure when wattage is added especially if your running aftermarket amp. I used 2way components.

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