So what needs replaced after airbag deployment?

[volkster]

I just bought a 2004 Montana ext with some front end damage including both front airbags. I'm pretty excited about getting it put back together. What all needs replaced in the airbag system?

How can I tell if the seatbelt pretensioner thingys went?

This is the van:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=260396254348

Thanks!

[roadrunner2]

Originally Posted by volkster

I just bought a 2004 Montana ext with some front end damage including both front airbags. I'm pretty excited about getting it put back together. What all needs replaced in the airbag system?

How can I tell if the seatbelt pretensioner thingys went?

This is the van:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=260396254348

Thanks!

I just sold my daughters (not very well maintained) 2003 Montana and I gave her my 2000 Olds Silhouette so I know what they're like. I have not however, worked on air bag systems.

Use extreme caution when working on the air bag system.

Personally, I would have a pro fix it but watch how it's done.

You can also buy a Haynes repair manual ($20 at any auto supply) and attempt it yourself. The book describes in detail how to do the job.

Van looks good aside from the frontal damage but be aware of hidden damage behind the bent bumper.
Measure both sides of the rad support bracket for twisting.

Have a frame alignment performed, ensure nothing has been pushed back on the drivers side and check for suspension damage. Is the hood sprung (ie. out of line from side to side)?

One problem was the drivers side rear brake light kept going off. Water gets into the bulb sockets and ground connection.

If those headlamps are fogged up you'll need to replace them. Although I tried every trick in the book with mine, (to get rid of the moisture and polished to no avail) nothing worked. Too far gone I guess.

Searching wreckers yards produced nothing. The dealer wanted $200 each.

The headlamps on the 2003 were in very good condition so I simply exchanged them with the Silhouette's and sold the rusted out 2003 Montana 'as is'.

[dugan50]

Check out this website.
http://www.airbagsolutions.com
The purpose of this website and company is to help people diagnose and repair airbag problems themselves without taking them to the dealer (if possible). It offers all the photos and data you need to understand your airbag system, read the codes and reset the light. It’s a pay site, but it certainly is worth the money ($14.95 for 1 day full access)
There’s a place to check if your car is listed on the home page
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/vehicles_list.aspx
This is quite an extensive website with pictures, descriptions and factory fault code charts as well as a working demo @ http://www.airbagsolutions.com/demo.aspx that shows just how easy these repairs can be. Although it does not give step by step instructions, there is enough information in the pictures and the "how-to" pages that most people can do it themselves.
Lots of insurance companies and body shops use this site for the information they need to repair your car.

I hope I’ve helped you

[birar]

on my brothers cavalier that we bought totaled my dad and i repaired it we replaced both airbag assembly's from a junk yard cruiser and the airbag computer which was located under the passenger seat under the carpet all airbag stuff should have a yellow plug and three months later my bro got tee boned and they worked as they were suppose to that should be the things u need