How to replace Air Bags? Options

[mnwolftrack]

Hello,

I just bought a '94 GT in really nice shape, but the airbags have been deployed. I haven't replaced air bags before and am looking for some guidance. The damage done to the car has already been fixed, but the air bags were never replaced. I'm assuming I will also have to replace the sensors (3?) and ECU but am not 100% sure. I do not have a factory manual. I did do a search and found some conflicting information on what actually has to be replaced and how much of the dash has to come out (for the passenger side airbag). Some people said the whole dash board has to be replaced because the air bag rectangle is a part of it. And others have said the bag can just be unscrewed from underneath and removed.

Any ideas on costs new/used? Who would normally do such kind of work if I don't want to do it myself? Body shop, dealer, regular mechanic?

[bloodrain]

Ouch, deployed airbags. The most expensive thing on the car. Your looking at anywhere from $400 to $800 per airbag to replace.

[mnwolftrack]

Ouch, deployed airbags. The most expensive thing on the car. Your looking at anywhere from $400 to $800 per airbag to replace.

I'm seeing them on eBay for a lot less. There's a lot more of the '90-'93 on eBay right now and many of those are selling for as low as $50 each. There are fewer '94-'99, but I've seen them anywhere from $100 each to $500 for a pair plus computer. On car-part.com, $100 each was about the starting price. I'm more concerned about the procedure to replace them, rather than the cost. I got the car for a fair price. Overall it is in really nice shape.

[playr158]

Yes you have to replace all the sensors (each side of the radiator) plus ecu for the airbag might have to be replaced as well.

Driver side air bag is REALLY easy.
when the bag went off it should have popped out 2 plastic doors on the 9 & 3 o'clock positions of your steering wheel. If you look in these openings you will see a torx bit screw. Using a torx bit remove the screws and the air bag should slide right out, there are wires behind it so make sure you unclip them.

The passenger side is much more difficult and requires complete removal of the dash (the easier way), or you can attempt to struggle with it by half removing the dash.
my pictoral process/memory of how to exactly do that in the correct order is on my home computer though.

[hockeyplyr24]

Yes you have to replace all the sensors (each side of the radiator) plus ecu for the airbag might have to be replaced as well.

Driver side air bag is REALLY easy.
when the bag went off it should have popped out 2 plastic doors on the 9 & 3 o'clock positions of your steering wheel. If you look in these openings you will see a torx bit screw. Using a torx bit remove the screws and the air bag should slide right out, there are wires behind it so make sure you unclip them.

The passenger side is much more difficult and requires complete removal of the dash (the easier way), or you can attempt to struggle with it by half removing the dash.
my pictoral process/memory of how to exactly do that in the correct order is on my home computer though.

whats the easiest way to get the sensors out? seems kinda tight there..

and what happens if you dont replace the airbag ecu...or is it just the ecu itself?

[playr158]

i'm not sure about the airbag ecu (located under your center arm rest). I never replaced mine (nor did i replace the sensors)

easiest way to get the sensors out is to remove your front bumper and remove your high beam headlights more then likely.

[GriffGirl]

Couldn't the airbag ECU be reset once the sensors and bags have been replaced? It seems like I read something about that in the BGB

[playr158]

^good assumption, someone should check.

Though generic OBD2 sensors are readily available, i'm not sure they would reset the ecu, you might have to go to toyota for that service (read $$)

[lubu]

Couldn't the airbag ECU be reset once the sensors and bags have been replaced? It seems like I read something about that in the BGB

The ECU will have to be reset, there is a service that does this on fleaBay. Click Me.

PS: THere was a post abt this not long ago.

[zero07]

I have an 95 steering wheel with airbag in perfect condition F.S so LMK.

[mnwolftrack]

Just to add a minor update, I have purchased and received the air bags, front sensors, and rear sensor/ECU from another forum member. I hope to install by this weekend. In my search for replacement airbags, I found several companies that offered service to clear the codes stored in the airbag ECU. An OBD2 code reader will do no good on a '94 anyway. Even if my car was OBD2 complaint, the airbag codes, ABS codes, etc.... are typically not readable (or delete-able) with a standard OBD2 code reader (I have one for my other cars).