Questionhey,
aa general rule of thumb, if airbags been deployed along with seat-belt being lockup, does the airbag / srs module needs to be replaced or cleared/reset? only ask because with both front airbags deployed, there's no dashboard lights on, no flashing of any kind, so i hope to just replace the bags and manually jump the plug and reset the module and all is good as new. any chance i can do that, or will the lights likely flash once i install new bags? just asking because it's my first reck and i want to fix it on a budget myself. any advice??"
AnswerHi JR:
Sorry, but the control modules (starting about 1997) always need to be replaced after a deployment. If there is a fault, like a broken wire or a bad sensor and the light comes on, then it can be reset, but not after a deployment.
Check out this website (my company).
The purpose of this website and company is to help people diagnose and repair airbag problems themselves without taking them to the dealer (if possible). It offers all the photos and data you need to understand your airbag system, read the codes and reset the light. It’s a pay site, but it certainly is worth the money ($14.95 for 1 day full access)
There’s a place to check if your car is listed on the home page
This is quite a complete website with pictures, descriptions and factory fault code charts as well as a working demo that shows just how easy these repairs can be. Although it does not give step by step instructions, there is enough information in the pictures and the "how-to" pages that most people can do it themselves.
Lots of insurance companies and body shops use this site for the information they need to repair your car.
Lastly, there's a page in this site that tells you which cars need a scan tool and which ones can be done without one
http://www.airbagsolutions.com
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/vehicles_list.aspx
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/demo.aspx
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/scanlist.aspx
