Airbags: repair and restoration of triggered SRS elements

Almost every modern car is required to be equipped with at least one airbag. The requirements for the number of airbags in EU countries are more stringent, which is why the basic configuration must have at least 2 airbags.

Their task is to protect the driver and passengers in collisions, accidents, and accidents. In many ways, they help save human life, protect them from death and more serious injuries.

Cars often get into accidents. At the moment of a collision, a special sensor is triggered, which causes the pillow to shoot, managing to place itself under the person’s head, legs and other parts of the body. It all depends on how many airbags are in the car and where they are located.

An accident does not always result in serious damage to the car. The body is being restored. But one more problem remains unresolved. This is the need to restore the dashboard after firing the pillows.

Methods for repairing a dashboard after airbag deployment

When restoring the dashboard after the airbags deployed, a comprehensive repair is required. Here it is important to consider how the car owner plans to restore the interior.

1. If new airbags are installed, the dashboard will have to be repaired, taking into account possible destruction when triggered again. In addition, the “brains” that control the airbags will need to be reprogrammed.
2. When the cost of new airbags becomes an insurmountable obstacle for the car owner, the internal cavity of the dashboard can be filled with lightweight and porous materials. One of the popular options is polyurethane foam. It takes the place of an airbag, and excess is easily removed with a stationery knife. All that remains is to close the panel with a lid using glue. However, with such repairs, the lives of the driver and passengers are at greater risk in the event of any accident.
3. The most effective way to repair a torpedo after the airbags have been fired is to reupholster the panel with vinyl, leather or Alcantara. Variations of several colors and materials are possible here. By making such tuning, you can kill two birds with one stone. First, repair the damaged torpedo. And secondly, to create a new look for interior decoration. The steering wheel can be rethreaded in the same way.

Principle of operation

The security unit was developed in the middle of the last century. With the introduction of electronics, it has undergone some changes, but the principle of operation has remained virtually unchanged. Automakers do not adhere to any standards; moreover, many of them use their own developments.

At first glance, this appears to imply a narrow specification of the constituent parts. In fact, everything is just the opposite. Main components of the block:

• a set of sensors;
• airbags;
• SRS unit;
• wiring;
• lamp on the instrument panel;
• squib;
• belt tensioners.

The general principle has remained unchanged for many years. And this is what he looks like.

1. When an impact occurs, sensors are activated - there can be up to 10 or even 15 of them. They transmit information to the SRS unit about the location and force of the impact.
2. The electronic unit processes this information. Taking into account the side of the impact and the number of passengers, it sends a signal to activate the airbag and belt.
3. The squib fires and the airbag covers are knocked out.
4. Bleeding air through a special valve or hole.

In addition to the points listed above, it is necessary to clarify one point. When the airbags deploy, Crash Data is recorded in the electronic unit. After this it stops functioning.

Replacing faulty pillows

In order to replace faulty airbags, you need to do the following:

1. Erase Crash Data from memory. You can do this yourself or contact a service center. This is done in order not to replace the sensor with a new one, but you won’t always be able to save money.
2. After this, you need to check the wires and sensors located on the steering column. During the explosion of the squib and the firing of the pillow, they are often damaged.
3. The last step is replacing the airbags. After installing them, you need to turn on the ignition and see if the SRS light is on; after 10 seconds it should turn off. If this does not happen, then you will have to check the entire electronic unit.

In cases where the car owner does not want to replace the faulty airbag with a new one, it will need to be repaired. It is important to remember that it does not always help, and at a crucial moment there is a high risk that the protective system will not work.

Repair methods

There are three main approaches to repairing a dashboard after airbag deployment:

• Functional repair of instrument panels includes mechanical restoration. The dashboard and steering wheel are installed in place, and new airbags are mounted under them. After this, the program resets information about airbag deployment;
• A complete interior dashboard repair includes not only mechanical repairs, but also aesthetic ones. The console is dismantled, a complete reupholstery is carried out using selected materials, a new SRS complex is inserted under the steering wheel and covers and reprogramming is carried out. This method makes it possible not only to recreate the transport security system, but also to change its internal appearance;
• A rough repair is suitable for cases where the car has received minimal damage and does not require major restoration procedures. In this case, the holes where the pillows used to be are filled with polyurethane foam, and the covers are installed in their original place. This method is bad because in the event of a new accident, the SRS complex will not work, because there will be nothing to work. By resorting to the third type of repair, you endanger not only your life, but also the lives of your passengers.

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Repair or DIY restoration

The passive safety system in the form of airbags is activated in the event of a strong collision of the vehicle head-on or side with another object. Regardless of the driving speed, the activation of the SRS complex is also influenced by the angle of the collision, the severity of the collision object and the vehicle's surface. As a result, deployed airbags destroy the dashboard of the vehicle.

Based on the combination of the factors described above, it becomes clear that an accident can cause minimal damage, or it can have catastrophic consequences for your transport. Therefore, the choice of repair method - independent or professional - will depend on the total amount of damage.

It would be better to restore the dashboard of a heavily damaged vehicle in a car repair shop. Such a service, according to the most conservative estimates, will cost from 5 to 10 thousand rubles. depending on the region. The cost will be influenced by the quality of the selected materials and the amount of restoration work, and the final amount may exceed 25 thousand rubles.

If, as a result of a traffic accident, the inside of the car was not seriously damaged and functions quite stably, and you have enough manual skills and patience, then you can independently restore the torpedo after the airbags have deployed.

DIY AIRBAG SRS restoration

If a car owner is going to sell a car that has been in an accident, it is at least unfair for him to install dummies instead of the PB. By selling such a car, he puts the buyer at risk, since without a passive safety system in an accident, the passengers of the car can be seriously injured.

If the car is not new, you can try to restore the SRS by purchasing all the necessary parts from used cars, but here it is necessary that the “donor” car is not damaged. You will need to buy:

• the airbags themselves;
• seat belts with squibs, they are activated in an accident in 99 cases out of 100;
• shock sensors.

All parts can be changed independently, but specialists must configure or reflash the SRS control unit. Still, you shouldn’t trust the work to dubious companies - even though the repairs will cost a little more, the car owner will be sure that his car is in perfect order.

Secrets of restoring your security system

Once the airbags are activated, the system will require restoration. It is recommended to contact a car service to solve the problem.

Possible manipulations when opening an airbag:

• installation of new airbags (this is the only option for cars under warranty);
• The control unit is being re-flashed and a dump of the new car is installed;
• Installation of a plug or blende is in progress.

Car owners often have a question: if the airbags have deployed, can they be repaired? It is important that to perform any procedures you need to contact specialists. Otherwise, situations of system failure in a collision cannot be excluded. Even worse are cases of spontaneous activation.

Subtleties of recovery:

1. The cushion and squib are a one-piece structure. You can pick them up in a specialized store. It’s easy to cut costs by turning to a car dismantling service. But they take into account the likelihood of defects, misfires, and malfunctions in the event of an accident.
2. It is not recommended to change only the squib while keeping the old pillow.
3. In most cases, the system control unit is also replaced. But sometimes a flashing with deletion of collision and disclosure data is enough.
4. Replacing belt pretensioners is required to restore their functionality. When an impact occurs, they tighten the straps more to compensate for the stretch.
5. Activating the passenger airbag requires an equally professional approach. There is no separate hole for it, so the official dealer will offer a new panel. You can reduce costs by soldering the area where the break occurred and then applying the texture. A more affordable solution is to cover the dashboard with a leather substitute or natural material.

Dashboard repair technology

Repairing the dashboard after the airbags have been deployed is best left to professionals. Conventionally, it can be divided into several stages:

• Comprehensive repair of a dashboard after an accident begins with dismantling the dashboard.
• Then the removed panel is pre-cleaned and processed.
• Damage is repaired using adhesives, and the protective coating is removed with special chemical solutions.
• According to the shape and curve of the panel, a cover is sewn in the sewing studio from the material chosen by the client. For this purpose, individual patterns are used.
• During repairs, you can install decorative inserts that imitate polished metal, carbon fiber or wood. At the request of the car owner, you can use chrome elements or a new speaker system.
• The finished cover is put on the dashboard and fixed with glue.
• After installing the updated panel, the driver will find it difficult to recognize the tuned interior of his car.

Repairing the dashboard after the airbags deployed can completely transform the interior. It is desirable that the safety of people in a car restored after an accident is at its best. Only a comprehensive solution to the problem will be the optimal solution when restoring a damaged car.

Step-by-step instruction

Car dashboard repair is carried out according to the following instructions:

• Removing the console. Carefully, without damaging the electronics, dismantle the front console and remove any old material from it, if any. After this, rinse the panel thoroughly using detergent and a brush.
• The new material will add extra size to the dashboard, which is why the panel runs the risk of not returning to its original place, and the instruments may not fit into the holes. To prevent this from happening, file the edges of the holes by 1–3 mm, taking into account the thickness of the covering material.
• Make patterns for the new panel. Remember that the seams should fall on the bends of the console. In addition, do not forget about the seam allowance (8-10 mm).

• Sew the material according to the pattern and try it on the panel. Try to put the “dressed” dashboard in place. If everything fits perfectly and there is no empty space left between the devices and bends, then you can move on to the fifth stage. If the panel does not fit in any place, then try to file the folds a little more. If voids appear between the panel and the devices, you can increase additional millimeters using silicone grease or thermoplastic.
• All damage on the surface of the console is sanded and treated with a primer, and broken areas are cleaned, leveled and treated with putty.
• Before gluing, the panel is treated with a degreaser and wiped with acetone or alcohol.
• Next is gluing. They do it starting from the top of the console and moving towards the bottom. After applying the glue, the material is applied and carefully leveled with a rubber spatula. You can use a hair dryer to stretch the material.
• Before the final installation of the console, airbags are installed and the program is reset.
• After two days, when the glue has completely set, the dashboard is installed in its original place.

Repair and possible risks

As already mentioned, it is not enough to simply put another pillow. It won't function. For proper operation, the following activities will be required.

1. Replacing shock sensors.
2. Reflashing or installing a new SRS electronic unit.
3. Check and possible replacement of all wiring of the unit.
4. Replacing airbags that were deployed upon impact.

If it is not possible to find original components, then you should not despair. Almost every car service center will be able to fit elements from available manufacturers to the car. But there is nothing better than the original.

If an electronic module breaks down, then when purchasing replacements, you need to take into account the number of airbags in the car and the unit. They must match completely.

Risks

Removing and installing airbags is a hazardous task. It is important to take all precautions. What can happen? It's all about the firing of the squib.

The speed at which the airbag flies out is approximately 200 km/h, and on some models even 300. It is easy to imagine the consequences of such an impact during installation or dismantling.

What should you do to protect yourself?

1. Disconnect the unit from the battery so that it does not accidentally give an activation signal.
2. Wait 5-10 minutes - during this time the internal energy reserve will be exhausted.
3. Disconnect and remove the block.
4. Be as careful as possible when removing and installing the cushions.
5. Never keep your head in front of the steering wheel, and therefore the pillow.

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The use of metal tools should be minimized whenever possible to avoid short circuits and tripping. You need to be no less careful when working with a squib. Essentially, it's a small explosive. Mixing the elements creates a thermal reaction and explosion.

Replacing faulty airbags

The first thing you need to start with is erasing Crash Data from memory. Manufacturers suggest replacing it with a new electronic unit, but its price is quite high and not everyone can afford it.

The second option is to contact a service center. Many of them carry out memory erasing. This procedure is almost always possible, but there are cases when only a complete replacement is necessary.

Step two is to replace the sensors and check the wiring. Very often, when triggered, the wires on the steering column are damaged. This is explained by the activation of the same squib.

The repair of airbags is completed by replacing them. After this, you can check the system. When you turn on the ignition, the SRS light should come on. After burning for 5-10 seconds, it turns off. If this does not happen, then the electronic unit will need to be checked to ensure it is fully operational. This is basically where the action ends - the restoration of the airbags is complete.

From words to deeds

How to remove the airbag? If difficulties do not deter you, then let’s look at the procedure for installing/removing the airbag from the steering wheel on your own.

The procedure is as follows.

1. Adjust the steering wheel for comfortable operation. Lower it as far as possible and pull it out.
2. Turn the steering wheel left/right. On the back of the steering wheel you will notice a hole in which the latch is located.
3. Insert a screwdriver into this hole and lift up the mount.
4. Repeat the procedure for the second side.
5. Pull the detached cushion forward slightly. Disconnect the wires on the steering wheel.

All. Installation of new elements is carried out in the reverse order.

Note

To completely restore security, you will need to do some more manipulations.

1. Replace the torpedo - deformation and fragments after the impact can affect the operation.
2. Replace the steering switch spring.
3. Replace belt tensioners.

In conclusion, I would like to add a few tips. The first is that replacement is more reliable than reconfiguration. Only complete replacement of all active components guarantees correct operation of the system. Second, recovery from an impact is not done halfway. This may reduce the likelihood of operation in emergency situations and reduce safety. Third, when purchasing analogues, you need to make sure that they are fully compatible with a specific car.

Which material to choose

When choosing a material for upholstery, car owners usually choose between four main options - vinyl, eco-leather, Alcantara and genuine leather. Vinyl is more often used for covers and as a console covering it is not a good option for purely aesthetic reasons. Eco-leather and Alcantara generally have a low melting point, so at elevated temperatures they will instantly begin to peel off.

Genuine leather is the most suitable option if you decide to cover the console.

Another necessary element will be glue. It is better to buy high-temperature glue. To dilute it you will need acetone and an activator. As a rule, diluted glue lasts for 5–6 hours, then it begins to harden, its adhesive ability deteriorates, and bubbles appear on the surface.

The third substance used in repairs is putty or primer, which is necessary to cover the surfaces to be cleaned. It can be purchased at any automotive supply store and most mid-price brands perform their functions perfectly.

Tools that may be useful are a hair dryer, brushes, brushes for applying glue, degreaser, a plastic spatula, a knife, and thread.

How to repair a driver's airbag

Let's look at the principle of restoring a driver's airbag:

• disconnect the airbag from the steering wheel;
• dismantle the plastic decorative cover;

• disconnect the squib; on many cars it is secured with four nuts;

• In any case, the cushion and squib must be replaced with new parts, but the cover is restored in many workshops.
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As a rule, new airbags are very expensive, which is why restoring airbags is popular.

Stages of torpedo restoration

In any case, restoring the instrument panel in a car as a result of airbag deployment will require spending a lot of time and money. Even if you do the work using used spare parts found at car dismantling yards.

When buying used pillows, there is no guarantee of their performance. Therefore, it is better to order them new from a trusted manufacturer and supplier.

It is best to contact a dealer service center that specializes in cars of your brand.