Can I change my old faulty airbag module with a module from another car?

[CitroenXP]

Hello,

Well my airbag module died from a little flood I had in my parking and I can't buy new one even if I wanted because from Citroen told me its discontinued. So I wonder I bought a module from another Xsara Picasso - if the numbers are the same on the module can I just replace it or does it need special reprogramming?

Most importantly I guess do I need to reset the eeprom?

Also if I just change it with the second hand used one is there the possibility to open the airbags in the car?

[Paul-R]

Ten years ago I bought an accident damaged and repaired C5. It still had a blown seat airbag and consequent warning light on the dash but at that time this was not a UK MOT fail. When the regs changed and it became a fail I replaced the bag and ECU (which I seem to recall was under the centre console) with items from a donor car I had. The error light went and I didn't have to clear any DTCs, which was good as I didn't have a code reader at the time.

So, I would say that providing the replacement ECU can be guaranteed to have come from a vehicle which hadn't been involved in an accident which triggered a seat belt or air bag, that it should work. Nothing untoward happened to me although you should do the work with the battery disconnected and follow BSI reset procedures.

How did a Xsara Picasso find its way to New York? And where did you find your replacement ECU?

[CitroenXP]

Ten years ago I bought an accident damaged and repaired C5. It still had a blown seat airbag and consequent warning light on the dash but at that time this was not a UK MOT fail. When the regs changed and it became a fail I replaced the bag and ECU (which I seem to recall was under the centre console) with items from a donor car I had. The error light went and I didn't have to clear any DTCs, which was good as I didn't have a code reader at the time.

So, I would say that providing the replacement ECU can be guaranteed to have come from a vehicle which hadn't been involved in an accident which triggered a seat belt or air bag, that it should work. Nothing untoward happened to me although you should do the work with the battery disconnected and follow BSI reset procedures.

How did a Xsara Picasso find its way to New York? And where did you find your replacement ECU?

I'm from Sofia, not New York - let me change that.

I found it in a site for all kind of used things where people sell anything. There are people selling their cars for parts. So I found the same part number as my airbag and bought it for 20 euros.

I will try to change it (removing the battery and waiting 30 minutes for all the capacitors to discharge) - I just want to know that even if the "new" airbag isn't working my airbags won't activate. I don't want to make the problem worse than it is.

[myglaren]

How did a Xsara Picasso find its way to New York? And where did you find your replacement ECU?

I'm from Sofia, not New York - let me change that.

That makes more sense

I was expecting an import from Canada.