Airbag Testing...

[Rhothgar]

I dug out one of my manuals which has some data on the pre-tensioner system.

What is most curious is that it describes the orange connector as a short-circuit type connector???

I am intrigued by this description as it doesn't just sound like a common-or-garden terminal arrangement. It sounds as though there is an additional mechanism in there.

Now I am on my PC I can zoom in more readily and can see that the connector (Item 3 below) at the pre-tensioner is of the type that the squib on the steering wheel airbag uses. Without removing the seat and the side cover, it looks to be clipped in to the side of the seat and that leaves me wondering if getting in and out of the car could cause a wire to wear through on the side bolster especially as I am not at my trimmest..

[myglaren]

I have tried accessing the FCF on my phone and gave up, hopeless.

[Rhothgar]

I now have a working airbag circuit for now. It will be interesting to see how long it stays like that.

I also note from the manuals that the systems should be replaced after 10 years... I'd doubt you could even get these parts anyway. They are presumably NFP or exorbitantly expensive.

I am aware a lot of FCF'ers always mention the green connector but in this instance it was the brown connector.

I did manage to get into it and remove the terminals. Everything looked in order.

There is a strange metal clip in one of the connectors which doesn't seem to connect to anything.

Here are some photos for future reference for others:-

Still not concerned that the green is corrosion. It doesn't crumble.

Photo below shows the flap which looks like the letter E folded back. You basically have to unclip either side. If you look closely, to the right of the E you will see two little nubbins that sit over the terminals and when the clip is closed these lock the female connectors into place by locating into the 'square' you can see in the top wire.

[Rhothgar]

Found a nice clear picture of this connector.

Basically the strange metal clip shorts out the two pins in the connector is disconnected (and presumably throws a fault code).

This is likely a common type of set up in all PSA vehicles (and other makes of car).

[wheeler]

Most airbag connectors (on all brands) are designed to short on disconnection, even inside the ECU plug, i believe one of the reasons is to stop static build up?
This is also the reason why if you unplug an airbag or pre tensioner it will log a short circuit fault.
The official fix for the above issue is to just cut out the connector & join with Raychems or solder & heatsrink.

[Rhothgar]

Just lost long reply AGAIN!

Will comment when I can get back on PC.

[Paul-R]

Have you ticked the box to keep you signed in when signing in?

I find it astonishing. I haven't actually signed in for months and I NEVER sign out

[mickthemaverick]

I occasionally start a post, then leave it using the save draft button while I hunt on the backup system, which is on a different PC, and can then be called away and not get back for 3 or 4 hours but my partial post is still sitting waiting to be completed under the load draft button!

[xantia_v6]

The 10 year lifetime of airbags was officially dropped in the early 2000s, about the time when many would need to be replaced.

[Rhothgar]

Have you ticked the box to keep you signed in when signing in?

I find it astonishing. I haven't actually signed in for months and I NEVER sign out

Good question Paul.

I HAVE NO IDEA!

[Rhothgar]

Most airbag connectors (on all brands) are designed to short on disconnection, even inside the ECU plug, i believe one of the reasons is to stop static build up?
This is also the reason why if you unplug an airbag or pre tensioner it will log a short circuit fault.
The official fix for the above issue is to just cut out the connector & join with Raychems or solder & heatsrink.

Well although I have sorted the airbag light issue I still cannot read the airbag ECU with Lexia but can with Autel IM608. Mind boggling!

I have found that there are repair connectors available which are identical except for the fact they have a huge heatshrink over them with glue oozing out of the bottom of the heatshink on the wire end.

It's not as if they are subject to water ingress but this left me wondering if condensation plays a part in winter and the terminals degrade.

Been looking into a tin of DeoxIT D5. NOT CHEAP! Anywhere between £25 - £50 a can depending on wherever you want a fast solvent or a slow solvent. I have emailed them to ask if there is an inherent risk of using either on an airbag circuit and it causing an accidental trigger if the solvent has not evaporated.

[Paul-R]

Right, just for you I logged out. Something I don't think I've done for over 10 years!

When signing in make sure you tick the box indicated to stay signed in. And that's it. As long as you don't sign out. So don't.

[myglaren]

I always have to sign in. I shut down every night after clearing each browser, then run bleachbit (like CCleaner) to dump anything lingering, so have to log into everything each day, often on two separate laptops. Also use three browsers and not always the same one for the FCF.