S4ordie

Today I was wondering about this as I now have two S4's (90/91) both with orginal airbags. As sensitive and prone to electrical shorts as our cars are is there any increased risk of unintentional airbag deployment? Certainly an event like that could result in grave consequences.

Are there places where you can send your old airbags for updating/refreshing?

Thanks

P.S. I may post this question in OT as well

pcar928fan

You know Ferrari actually has a replace by date for their bags? I don't remember what it is, but it seemed VERY SHORT to me and as expensive as Porsche airbags are just try a F-car bag on for size! YOWZA!

Nicole

The airbag system is designed so that any fault will turn it off, rather than deploy the bags. That doesn't guarantee it will always work that way, but I don't recall hearing about an 928 where the airbag deployed by accident.

When airbags first came out, they were talking about limited use and replacement at some point. That talk has completely disappeared, and I don't know anyone who would routinely replace an air bag.

The main issues with the 928 air bag systems seem to be grounding errors, and connectors to the crash sensors in the front. Some day I'll figure out where exactly these are located...

jeff spahn

I would like to know as well. An airbag saved my life and was one reason I chose the 90 over earlier years.

robot808

Land Rover has a 10 year replacement date. Not sayin that helps, but that's what I got.

Marine Blue

Mercedes had a 12 year date initially which was extended to 20 if I'm not mistaken. That may have changed again, it's been a few years since I've owned one.

Erik N

I don't know specifically what it's like in a 928, but I have cut up a few airbag-equipped vehicles. The airbag deployment sensors are usually mounted in the corners of the car, and usually have yellow/black spiral wrapped wires coming from them, going to the brain. They are colored like that to avoid having extrication teams inadvertently cut through them in a rescue situation. The brain itself is usually located in a central location, farthest from any potential damage. In a 928 I would guess this is behind the console somewhere. Prolly others here know more than me (at least I sure hope so!).

borland

My 90' S4 (first year model with airbags) has the original vinyl dash and pod with no cracks anywhere.

Since the airbags in our cars are covered from any sunlight, the bags should all be just fine.

S4ordie

I'm less concerned about the bag itself but things like electrical connections cause me concern. Nicole pointed out any electrical short shuts the bag off which is good news as an unintended deployment could ruin your day. But I wonder about hitting something and the bags not deploying. There must be some sort of diagnostic that can be run to test the system.

morganabowen

A couple of years ago, I saw a '91 GT that ran into the back of a truck, and the both air bags deployed. However, I agree, I'm not real comfortable or have alot of faith in the air bags.

Nicole

Dan: AFAIK the system runs through some sort of self test every time you turn on the ignition. It also stores any error codes it may generate over time. If an error code is stored, the airbag light will remain on until the code has been cleared.

SeanR

I read one report of a 91 911 that had the air bag deploy while the guy was driving down the road. PCNA was there quickly to determine what happened and fixed everything up for the gentleman. I would hope that if this happened to one of us, they would be as generous. As I remember, it just scared the hell out of him, lucky there were no injuries.

blown 87

We do a lot of work on SRS systems for local body shops, that is the way every one I have ever worked on is.

The time limit put on air bags is more of a manufactures CYA than anything else.

As long as there is not damage to them they should be good for a very long time.

I would not worry about one as long as the SRS goes through the self check and the light then goes out.

Andre Hedrick

So we are not talking about young junior drivers?

S4ordie

Thanks Greg. That info really helps and makes me feel better.