WTF VR Airbag Failure!
Yesterday when leaving work I started my car only to have the airbag deploy in my face as the ignition turned the engine over.
1. The car was stationary (no crash)
2. No prior warning of any issue (no airbag light on dash)
4. The car started fine and kept running during and after the airbag deployment.
3. Yes I was injured by the airbag exploding in my face
4. WTF happend??
I googled "airbag failure" only to find articles on cars that have crashed without the airbag deploying.
Anyone know what caused this OR where I can find someone from Holden to complain to?
Last edited by 6330; 23-06-2010 at 11:57 AM. Reason: bad grammar
Donating Member
Welcome to the forum...too bad it wasn't under different circumstances! You are lucky you weren't badly injured. However, I've never heard of this happening - I'd contact the RACQ or in your case the NRMA for advice. I wouldn't contact the state transport people (RTA?) because they will basically confiscate your vehicle to play with it....also no airbag makes your car unroadworthy.
I'd guess the best answer you will get from 'anyone' is that the system simply had a "malfunction". Maybe also I would do a error code check - it would be interesting to see if it left one. the how to is:
Checking error codes VR/VS (Revised)
"If anyone disagrees with anything I say, I am quite prepared not only to retract it, but also to deny under oath that I ever said it." --T. Lehrer
"The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made." -- Jean Giraudoux
haha bet it scared the shit outa you.
did it hurt? blood nose?
You will need to get someone with a Tech 1 scantool to read the SRS module for error codes to find out what has happened..If there is code "66 =Airbag Deployment Commanded" in the SRS module ,you will know the SRS module itself commanded the airbag to fire,(which obviously shouldnt happen unless in a crash).If theres no codes logged in the system,then it is most likely a faulty airbag assembly,and the airbag has fired by itself and was probably faulty.I know there was a few airbags that fired for no reason in the VT series when they were first released.I remember reading about it.It makes me wonder if someone has stuffed around with the SRS system before you bought the car.You get some fools that just remove the SRS bulb from the dash when it comes on to warn of a problem etc.Did the SRS light on the dash work before the airbag went off?
Last edited by Brett_jjj; 22-06-2010 at 07:44 PM.
Luvo
Sounds like it shorted out. Weird to hear a VR/S airbag going off at all, let alone as you start the car. I was in the SES for 3 yrs and did road rescue for 2.5yrs. I seen a few VR/S's that had the front end smashed in,and good yet the airbags never went off. Before cutting some poor bastard out of their car,we'd have to check if theres an airbag or not.
WTB:VR/S HSV 250km/h speedo cluster
holy smokes, not a good way to end working day
Real cars are steel cars.
The airbag needs to be supplied with voltage to fire.
I would be getting the codes read as Brett_jjj suggested to eliminate a module fault.
Has any non standard wiring been fitted recently?
If I told you I was a compulsive liar, would you believe me?
Thanks for the tip about the RTA.Originally Posted by hako
@Brett_jjj no prior warning at all. ie. no SRS light.
If the vehicle is deemed unroadworthy without the airbag, then what about after market steering wheels fitted to other cars?
Are they all illegal if the vehicle was fitted with an airbag? Can I fit a boss kit and sports wheel legaly in NSW?
I'm the fourth owner of the car, the first was fleet managed and the other two are workmates and no additional wiring has been performed on the vehicle before.
@bigneilsen the only thing that scared me was that it could've happend to my wife instead.
No blood nose, lucky for me I had my head turned slightly to the left so it hit me in the throat/jaw area, then filled the car with plastic smelling smoke.
Thanks guys for the common sense replys.
Donati..Whoa Green
I believe in all states that if a car comes factory with an airbag then it must always have an airbag. So cars rolling around with Boss or similar kits are very much illegal.
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Sorry I worded my question a bit wrong.I meant to say, was the SRS light coming on when the ignition key was turned on.It should come on for 2 seconds and then go off every time the ignition key is turned to on or start,it does this to show the SRS system is working ok..I was just wondering if you noticed if it was doing this?
Hope this doesn't happen to my car
yeah thats some bad luck aye, would scare the livin shit outa u and hurt to i assume?
@Brett_jjj prior to the failure, the SRS light was coming on just like you said for a couple of seconds then going off every other time I started the car.
@acarmody thanks for the tip. So I'll fit a boss kit and just pull off the SRS stickers on the car? lol.
@ChappyVS95 I didn't expect it that's for sure. Bruising, scratching (the bag is made of some thick plastic-ish style canvas) and a slight burn from the heat of the explosion.
It felt like I had just survived a car bomb.
VR had an option without an air bag, so you can legally remove the air bag in your car and the car will remain roadworthy.
Any steering wheel that you fit must be larger than the minimum size stipulated by your state's traffic authority, and the horn, indicators etc must still work normally.
Airbag systems have many safing systems, it's very unusual to hear about something like this. I'd be sending the car to whoever the NRMA/RTA recommend. You may have recourse for claiming damages.
Unfortunately I'd doubt Holden would care considering the age of the car.
Whoah dude!!!!....... Did it hurt when the airbag hit you? You guys ever seen step brothers the film?... well there's one of the leading characters from there was in a film called pineapple express. He got hit in the face by a car airbag. reckoned it really hurt. lol. although it was just a film.
seriously, i'd go look for a wrecking vr and get the non airbag dash and all that's associated with it and whack that in.
Regards!
@moose man thanks heaps, that's just the news I needed.
@slayer208 It felt like a realy good punch to the face...But without a central point of pain that a fist would give if that makes any sense?
Or maybe having a pillow across your face while your head is rammed into a solid object. ie. a brick wall.
I'm just glad it happend to me not my wife.
I wish there was a way to put a big hole in the air bag or something....
As this story seems weird My air bag could go off at any time andf give me a hard attact
These air bags seems more harm than good????????????
At low speeds anyways..Or if it decides to go off for no reson???
Shall I fetch your brown undies?
not to laugh buh its a funny story LMAOO! wud of made ur day ay
Actually, there are big holes in them - 2 in fact. Holes big enough to fit your hand through. This is to let the deplyment gas exhaust when you face plant the bag.
FK that im gonna keep my seat all the way in the back of the car constantly trembling with fear
How big is your hand?
The holes are about 10cm in diameter.
NEED 4 SPEED
was driving down the freeway and suddenly rememberd this..i just stared at my steering wheel for several minutes waiting
[QUOTE=ChappyVS95;1586183]was driving down the freeway and suddenly rememberd this..i just stared at my steering wheel for several minutes waiting[/QUOTE
Yeh we don't know when this air bag is going to explod and give us a flipping heart attack
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