Restoring car airbags - repair methods and recommendations
Airbags (SRS AirBag) fire when the car collides with an obstacle, thereby saving the driver and passengers inside the cabin from imminent injury and even death. Thanks to this invention, which began to be widely introduced in the late 60s, it was possible, in the literal sense of the word, to save hundreds of thousands of people from the serious consequences of accidents.
True, after the airbag is activated, the steering wheel, the front torpedo, the side surfaces of the doors look extremely repulsive and require repair. How can you restore the airbags and bring the interior of the car back to its original form? Let's try to deal with this issue.
The general scheme of the airbag
The AirBag is a flexible shell that instantly fills with gas and inflates to cushion the impact of a collision.
The principle of operation is quite simple, but the main elements of the SRS passive safety system are:
- electronic control unit;
- shock sensors;
- activation and deactivation system (you need to deactivate the passenger airbag if you install a child car seat);
- AirBag module.
In modern cars, pillows fire only under certain conditions. No need to be afraid, for example, that they will work from a simple blow to the bumper. The control unit is programmed to operate at speeds from 30 kilometers per hour. At the same time, as numerous crash texts show, they are most effective at a speed of no higher than 70 kilometers per hour.
Particular attention should be paid to the design of the SRS module itself:
- pyrocartridge with ignition;
- in the fuse is a substance, the combustion of which releases a large amount of inert and absolutely safe gas - nitrogen;
- sheath made of light synthetic fabric, usually nylon, with small holes for the release of gas.
Thus, when the impact detection sensor is triggered, a signal from it is sent to the control unit. There is an activation of the squib and the pillow shoots. All this takes tenths of a second. Naturally, after the security system is triggered, you will have to restore the interior and the AirBag themselves, unless, of course, the car has suffered severe damage in an accident and you plan to continue using it.
Ways to restore airbags
What restoration work will be required? It all depends on the model of the vehicle and the number of pillows. If we are talking about a car of the middle and higher price segment, then there may be more than a dozen pillows: front, side, knee, ceiling. The problem is aggravated by the fact that manufacturers produce a one-piece module that cannot be restored after a shot.
The works will include:
- restoration or replacement of steering wheel pads, dashboard, side pads;
- replacement or repair of seat belt tensioners;
- repair of seats, ceilings, instrument panels, etc.
You will also need to re-flash the SRS unit, in whose memory information about the collision and operation will be stored. If the problem is not fixed, the panel will constantly give an SRS error.
If you contact the dealer directly, they will offer you a complete replacement of the AirBag modules with all their filling, as well as the control unit. But pleasure is not cheap. The steering pad on the Audi A6, for example, will cost about 15-20 thousand in Moscow, and the block - up to 35 thousand. If there are more than a dozen pillows, then the costs will be appropriate. But at the same time, you can be 100 percent sure that the system, in case of danger, will work instantly without a misfire.
The second option - purchase of modules with squibs at auto-disassembly. If it has never been opened, then it is quite suitable for use. However, to install the module, you will need to flash the control unit. But this service will cost much less - about 2-3 thousand rubles. The problem is that it is not always possible to select the module of the desired model. If you choose this method, you need to work with well-established companies. Otherwise, there is a high risk that you will be slipped a non-working or damaged system.
Third Embodiment the cheapest is the installation of snag. The cavities where there should be squibs are simply filled with cotton or polyurethane foam. The whole “repair” comes down to disabling the SRS unit, installing a snag instead of a Crash signal light, and cosmetic replacement of broken pads on a dashboard or steering wheel. Needless to say, in the event of an accident, you will be completely defenseless. True, if a person moves at low speeds, follows the rules of the road, wears a seat belt, then this method of restoration also has its advantages - maximum savings on restoring airbags.
We do not recommend the third option - airbags can save the life of you and your loved ones, no amount of savings is worth it.
It should also be noted that the repair of airbags, the installation of modules and control units can only be trusted by professionals. If you try to do it yourself, a pillow that accidentally fires is filled with gas at high speed, which can lead to serious injury. During its installation, it is necessary to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery so that the squib does not work.
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