Airbags

[AOSpades]

Just found out that both of my airbags are gone, i knew the passenger one was out, but upon removing the center piece of the steering wheel (which i now can't get to stay back on) i found out that they're both gone. I have no idea where to even start with getting new ones and installing them. Is it something i would install? Or would i have to take it to the dealer?

[denisond3]

I think you can install them yourself, if you have some basic tools and are careful. When we got our 97 Neon I searched on ebay, and bought a pair of good airbags (un-deployed) along with a good airbag control module; to have for spares. Total cost was about $80 for the 3 units. I strongly recommend you get a service manual to help with installing them - though its going to be fairly obvious how to install the airbags. The airbag control module however is buried in the center console, more or less below the handle for the parking brake. Instructions for removing the console parts and the handbrake handle would be useful, as the parking brake has spring loaded parts having to do with self-adjustment of the parking brake.
While the Chilton or Haynes manuals might be adequate, I am glad that I got the Chrysler Corp. manual for my Neon. (Also from ebay, for under $40. It has saved me hundreds of $$$).
I dont know that you really need to replace the control module, but since I dont know how to test one, I got the spare. (There is even a Chrysler airbag diagnostic manual for sale on ebay right now.)
You do ALL work on the airbags and the airbag control module, with the battery disconnected. If there is a salvage yard near you where you can remove your own parts - you could get the airbags and control module out of a car yourself. Take your own old ones out first for practise.
In Virginia, your car wont pass the annual safety inspection without having the airbags intact.
Let us know how it goes...

[das2123]

It's very easy to install the air bags. Biggest thing is to disconnect the battery and I would remove the fuse for the air bags.