air bag replacement questions

[Saitin]

quick question when airbags are blown when you replace them do you need to reset anything any fuses and sensors needa be replaced or is it just simply connect them and screw them in and your set?

this is for a 1994 pontiac formula

[Mike]

you will need the sensors in the bumper the clock spring in the wheel and the 2 airbag modules (one in the kick panel and one under the center console

[Saitin]

I already have the new airbags in fact a complete new dash for the passenger side all it looks like is plug the wire in and good to go.
you mention a spring for the wheel more details plz?

[Mike]

there is a clock spring in the steering column, it needs to be replaced. the sensors in the bumper need to be replaced, and the modules need to be replaced....

i had to do it all after mine was hit

[BonzoHansen]

you will need the sensors in the bumper the clock spring in the wheel and the 2 airbag modules (one in the kick panel and one under the center console

I may have all the electronics mentioned. But I might need pics to find them.

[Ian]

this is for a fourth gen, correct?

[Saitin]

corret it is

[Saitin]

I may have all the electronics mentioned. But I might need pics to find them.

if you got all that let me know I am over in society hill by applebees

now can i put the air bags in and be good and do teh sensors later or will they just blow the airbags as soon as i put them in?

[Savage_Messiah]

there is a clock spring in the steering column, it needs to be replaced. the sensors in the bumper need to be replaced, and the modules need to be replaced....

i had to do it all after mine was hit

Definately depends on year and model then. Mine has no bumper sensors and only one module. And i never replaced the clock spring, never thought to do it.... :shrug:

[BonzoHansen]

I'll try to dig it all up this weekend. I do not remember anything resembling a bumper sensor.

[Saitin]

year and model is a 1994 pontiac formula

[Mike]

they have to have bumper sensors...or they wouldnt trigger

[Savage_Messiah]

OK... I'll give you one week to find me documentation (repair manuals/guides, whatever) showing the ones for a base model 97 Camaro. There's only one, under the center console.

[Mike]

if you have a passenger air bag you have another module somewhere in the passenger footwell, either under the dash or kickpanel. my 99 does and 95 did

[V]

i have a bazillion air bag sensors... well quite a few... there are like 4 main types, not sure which years were what, maybe i marked 1 or 2...

top left of pic...
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/parts2.jpg

[Saitin]

if you have a passenger air bag you have another module somewhere in the passenger footwell, either under the dash or kickpanel. my 99 does and 95 did

I have a brand new dash that I am putting in that has the airbag in it I believe I found the one you are talking about.
it needs to be replaced correct?
i'll get some pictures up

[Saitin]

i have a bazillion air bag sensors... well quite a few... there are like 4 main types, not sure which years were what, maybe i marked 1 or 2...

top left of pic...
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/parts2.jpg

where are you located and how much are you looking to get also hhow much for them shifter handles lol.

[BonzoHansen]

they have to have bumper sensors...or they wouldnt trigger

Where are they? On the rad support?

[V]

well right now i'm in upstate NY, parts are buried somewhere in my garage in NJ. i really dont have access to them for at least a while. sorry.


as for the location of the airbag sensors, kasey makes a good point, i had the whole wiring for the front of my SS pulled back and i now remember i thought it was odd that there wasnt any front sensor or connector.... odd

[BonzoHansen]

The 99 manual only shows the sensor/module under the console. No bumper sensors. It also says the module must be replaced after air bags are tripped. My suggestion is at least get a factory manual for your car and see what it says. I think the hamilton library has mitchell manuals for your car.

99 manual info:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/SIBLY/Cars/th_09-26SIRPartsLocator.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/SIBLY/Cars/09-26SIRPartsLocator.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/SIBLY/Cars/th_09-24SIRWD.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/SIBLY/Cars/09-24SIRWD.jpg)

Off GM Parts Direct Site:
1999 Camaro
http://www.trademotion.com/schematics/C/CD93373.gif
1) Driver air bag
2) Psngr air bag
3) Psngr air bag Bracket
4) Diagnostic unit W/sensor <--there are 2 designs
6) Clockspring

1994 Firebird
http://www.trademotion.com/schematics/F/FC93390.gif
1) Driver air bag W/o radio controls
2) Psngr air bag
3) Psngr air bag Bracket
4) Sensor Front
5) Sensor Arming
6) Sensor Pass compartment
7) Clockspring W/o radio controls
8) Diagnostic unit 1st design

Look at that, bumper sensor on earlier models. Most of the 97+ part numbers appear to be different, including airbags.

You should also verify any used parts you buy are the exact same part number your car needs. The trouble charts include info about constant resistence measurement as part of the constantly monitored diagnostics.

My $0.02? This is not an amateur job. You need a scan tool to troubleshoot everything correctly. You can't even perform the basic diagnostic system check w/o it. Bags launching at the wrong time or not launching when they should is very bad. Don't be pennywise & poundfoolish.

And all the guys that have done it, do they know their system is really operational?

[BonzoHansen]

if you have a passenger air bag you have another module somewhere in the passenger footwell, either under the dash or kickpanel. my 99 does and 95 did

The one you refer to in the lh kick is likely the BCM. There is no mention in the manual of replacing it. It is not involved in the SIR system. The 99 F Body manual makes no reference to pontiac/chevy, so they are the same.

[Mike]

nope i was thinking of everything in the pic of the 94 ill admit my mistake......but riddle me this......if i replaced everything in my car, why do i have a light

[BonzoHansen]

Bad parts, wrong parts, bad/burnt/broken wires. The book mentions checking for burnt & damaged wiring, esp around the bags themselves. Increased resistence will trip lights as the impedence will change and the dignostic monitoring will trip lights.

You need a scan tool to start to find out why.

[Mike]

no, ive scanned it and it reset and then came back. oh well they are coming out now

[BonzoHansen]

There is more to troubleshooting then what code sets. What code was setting, I'll look up the diagnostic procedure.

[Saitin]

wows it is alot more to is then simply take out the old bags and put new ones in atm I put a new dash in but didn't connect the airbag didn't know if it would jsut blow as soon as I connected it or not,same with the drivers side bag

[Savage_Messiah]

http://www.trademotion.com/schematics/C/CD93373.gif
1) Driver air bag
2) Psngr air bag
3) Psngr air bag Bracket
4) Diagnostic unit W/sensor <--there are 2 designs
6) Clockspring

1994 Firebird
http://www.trademotion.com/schematics/F/FC93390.gif
1) Driver air bag W/o radio controls
2) Psngr air bag
3) Psngr air bag Bracket
4) Sensor Front
5) Sensor Arming
6) Sensor Pass compartment
7) Clockspring W/o radio controls
8) Diagnostic unit 1st design

Look at that, bumper sensor on earlier models. Most of the 97+ part numbers appear to be different, including airbags.


And all the guys that have done it, do they know their system is really operational?

Wooo me ftw!!!

And I was scared to plug them all back in and have them blow in my face... so... drivers side new oen is just there for looks, pass side is empty, module is gone too

[Saitin]

looks like mine are going to just be there for looks as well