Air Bags and Front End Work

[Bear600rr]

I'm just starting a fairly big job of straightening the front end of my P5 after a little crunch into the back of a truck.

A buddy was telling me to be careful hammering up front with a sledge etc as I could set off the airbags.

Is this a serious possibility and if so how do I disable the airbag while doing the work. Will disconnecting the car battery do it?

 

[widgit117]

Yes hitting the bumper can cause the air bags to deploy just like if you ran into a wall. Force is a force is a force. As to disconnecting the system, I don't know.

 

[bgibb68]

unhook the bat and pull the fuse/relay for the airbags before any hammering on the front

 

[ghettoracingkid]

you can also disconnect the airbag module.

I would do some research beforei started to do it. or maybe call a body shop and ask them

 

[Balls]

Generally, just disconnecting the battery and waiting 10 minutes will do you just fine.

 

[widgit117]

Be very careful though as airbags are EXPENSIVE to replace and needs to be done by someone certified to do the work. You wouldn't want to be in a crash and it not work when needed or go off and explode in your face when going 75 down the highway. Note: I am not endorsing exceeding the speed limit, obey the law

 

[dmaster1]

Be very careful though as airbags are EXPENSIVE to replace and needs to be done by someone certified to do the work. You wouldn't want to be in a crash and it not work when needed or go off and explode in your face when going 75 down the highway. Note: I am not endorsing exceeding the speed limit, obey the law

I used to install airbags into the dash when they went down the assembly line. I had zero certifications =) These were for new vehicals though, it was super easy. Did about 600 per shift.

 

[Foppa]

Kind of on the same topic... Is it possible to know if your air bags are missing?

 

[Benji]

Well if you airbags where missing the entire center section of your steering wheel would be missing. Same for the dash unless they put some sort of "insert" to cover up that it was missing. I highly doubt someone has removed them though. You could also look under the dash, if there are a number of yellow connectors just hanging around that would also be a sign.

 

[pasadena_commut]

Well if you airbags where missing the entire center section of your steering wheel would be missing. Same for the dash unless they put some sort of "insert" to cover up that it was missing. I highly doubt someone has removed them though.

Never underestimate the power of the dark side..

http://www.insurancefraud.org/airbag_warning.htm

 

[Foppa]

Just a strange suspicion I had. Especially since there are two holes in my dash in the airbag cover, that looks like someone made with a screwdriver. Like they stabbed it.