Are my airbags actually installed?

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GRWeldon

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I'm wondering if there is an easy way to tell if my passenger airbag is installed? The bird I'm working on is giving the 5 beeps and flashing code 51. I don't have history on this car so I don't know for sure if the bags are even in it.

The cover over the passenger bag is a slightly different shade of tan and I'm suspicious.

While I'm talking about it, how is the passenger bag removed? I'm guessing you don't just rip off the cover. Maybe you do. I don't know...
 
As always,
  • Follow at your own risk
  • Disconnect battery
  • Wait
  • Wait some more
  • Others may know how long exactly
  • Use protective gloves and eyewear
  • Proceed to removal

Removal:
  • Lower glovebox to floor
  • Remove air ducts (two pieces); three bolts plus one screw holding the two pieces to each other
  • Remove airbag bolts (four)
  • Gradually push airbag backwards until connector is accessible
  • Disconnect connector
  • Remove airbag
 
If you have the cover, you have an airbag. The cover is not removable separately, at least not without a lot of work, and when the airbag blows, it tears the cover in half, and also damages the dashboard around the airbag. So I’m confident you have an airbag. However the airbag could have been replaced and not plugged in, or it could be a wiring problem, or a problem with the airbag computer. Often when airbags do deploy, the computer gets fried in the process of triggering the airbags.
 
With that error, op does not have a working system. The blue box needs replaced, and the system tested with airbag simulators.
Just replacing the box could deploy good bags.
 
Grog6 said:
With that error, op does not have a working system. The blue box needs replaced, and the system tested with airbag simulators.
Just replacing the box could deploy good bags.
Click to expand...
I've had this discussion in depth on a previous thread on this forum about DTC 51. Your statement above is the first time I have heard any such thing and you were quite involved on the other thread. I've never even heard of airbag simulators. How are they used and where can you buy them? I've got an SC with the DTC 51 also and really don't know how to troubleshoot it despite detailed instructions...

BTW...no pun intended, but if the airbags could go off by just replacing the module, that would really blow. I obviously do not want this to happen under any circumstances...
 
Last edited:
MadMikeyL said:
If you have the cover, you have an airbag. The cover is not removable separately...
Click to expand...
Thanks. This is what I wanted to know.

If this cas has been involved in a front end collision previously, there are zero signs of it. Thus car even has the little rubber-like front air dam that is missing in most of my other Birds and Cats...
 
GRWeldon said:
. I've never even heard of airbag simulators...
Click to expand...

Apparently a device plugged into the connector in lieu of the airbag to fool the car into thinking the airbag is there, thereby isolating the code to the system other than the airbag itself, if such code reappears.

Grog6 said:
Just replacing the box could deploy good bags.
Click to expand...

How? Why?

GRWeldon said:
If this cas has been involved in a front end collision previously, there are zero signs of it.
Click to expand...

In my junkyard runs, the MN12s with blown bags usually had minimal front damage. The system appears to err on the side of ultra sensitive.
 
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