Repairing a car with a blown airbag - what does it take?

[eljay]

As I am contemplating buying a B8 parts cars, I also had a thought of what does it take to properly repair a car with a blown airbag. I'm sure someone has done this. Can you please outline the items that typically needs attention?
Here's a starter list I believe:
- new replacement airbag
- replacement clockspring (I believe there's a crash sensor or something)
- airbag module (thanks to Quattro420 for the add)
- seat buckle/tensioner
- seat module (I believe the crash stores the info on it?)
- any front end (or rear end) crash sensors that were triggered
- battery pyro fuse and cable (thanks to elscotto80 for the add)
- reset ECU after replacing all of the above

Any other major items?

Thanks!

[Quattro420]

As I am contemplating buying a B8 parts cars, I also had a thought of what does it take to properly repair a car with a blown airbag. I'm sure someone has done this. Can you please outline the items that typically needs attention?
Here's a starter list I believe:
- new replacement airbag
- replacement clockspring (I believe there's a crash sensor or something)
- seat buckle/tensioner
- seat module (I believe the crash stores the info on it?)
- any front end (or rear end) crash sensors that were triggered
- reset ECU after replacing all of the above

Any other major items?

Thanks!

Air bag module gets replaced deployed bags and hardware seat belt and buckles that had occupants then clear crash data from ecm the etc and code the air bag module

[elscotto80]

I don't know the exact name but there is a pyro fuse/connection on the battery that needs to be replaced. It kills power to the car if the airbags are deployed.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[eljay]

I don't know the exact name but there is a pyro fuse/connection on the battery that needs to be replaced. It kills power to the car if the airbags are deployed.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

Good add thanks!

[eljay]

Thanks for the additional input!
I've read somewhere that any one-time use items related to a crash are somehow marked once triggered. Is that true? For example, when buying used items above, is there a way to tell it came from a crashed car and, therefore, cannot be reused?

[19birel]

We just rebuilt an A7 that had the bags blown and off hand I remember the following being replaced.

-Pyro fuse

-Steering wheel airbag and knee airbag (clock spring was NOT replaced)

-front crash sensors

As far as the seatbelts and crash module go, you can send those out and have them refurbed to like new condition and save a lot of money. We didn't do anything with the seat module. Hope that helps.

If you're interested in the process of rebuilding a salvage B8, check the link in my signature, I rebuilt mine after purchasing it at auction and have it fully documented.

[eljay]

We just rebuilt an A7 that had the bags blown and off hand I remember the following being replaced.

-Pyro fuse

-Steering wheel airbag and knee airbag (clock spring was NOT replaced)

-front crash sensors

As far as the seatbelts and crash module go, you can send those out and have them refurbed to like new condition and save a lot of money. We didn't do anything with the seat module. Hope that helps.

If you're interested in the process of rebuilding a salvage B8, check the link in my signature, I rebuilt mine after purchasing it at auction and have it fully documented.

Thank you!
Very nice you did on that A4! I'll read through the whole thread when I get a moment.

[OnyxCobra]

I guess it depends which airbag, i assume you're talking about the steering wheel one? Also the airbag module does not always need to be replaced. you only need to replace the things that are showing fault codes. For my car it was the side curtain air bag, have the driver seat belt and rear set belt pre tensioners rebuilt and then reset the airbag computer.

[Shamoo]

I know this is an old thread but looks like you’re still somewhat active on here. Regarding the seatbelt pre-tensioners, did you have an occupant in the rear seat that needed the re-built pre-tensioner? Or did it fire without someone in that seat/belt buckled?

[19birel]

I know this is an old thread but looks like you’re still somewhat active on here. Regarding the seatbelt pre-tensioners, did you have an occupant in the rear seat that needed the re-built pre-tensioner? Or did it fire without someone in that seat/belt buckled?

There does not need to be an occupant in the seat for the tensioners to fire. Sometimes they don't fire, but in my experience it's best to assume they've gone off and count yourself lucky if they all haven't haha

[eljay]

As 19birel points out, they may fire even without an occupant there.
AFAIK, there was no occupant in the rear seat, but the tensioner still fired and had to be replaced.