Anyone with airbag sensor knowledge??

Smoke05 · 04-01-2007, 11:42 AM

4 weeks ago I went off the road due to black ice. The damage was to the lower bumper of my truck when I plowed through a rotten stump. It has been at the body shop for 3 weeks. For a week and a half they have been trying to get the airbag light to go out. They replaced one sensor and now say it is an impact sensor and need to replace a wiring harness. This included a trip to a Nissan dealer for diagnosis. The light was not on when I drove it for about a wek after the accident damage. Any ideas??

Sammy Sandbag · 04-01-2007, 11:59 AM

Don't know if this is related, but if any of the associated harnesses are unplugged while powered, then you'll get the flashing airbag light.

Try this first:

If you have the airbag light, it will show steady for a few seconds (the manual says 7 secs) after you turn the key from off to on (but not start) and then start to flash. Here is how to reset it:

1. Turn the key from off to on.

2. Watch the airbag light closely. It will stay on for a few secs. and then as soon as it blinks off (the start of the flashing), turn the key off instantly.

3. Count to 5 (1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi . . . .)

4. Repeat steps 1-3 two more times until you have done the cycle three times.

5. Now turn the key on and watch the light. It will start blinking in a different, slower manner. This is diagnostic mode. You can watch this for a little while, no hurry.

6. Now turn the key off again, Count to 5 like in step 3 again, and turn back on. If the procedure worked, the airbag light will not be flashing.

If it does not work the first time, just repeat the steps again.

cpaul · 04-01-2007, 12:16 PM

You have a front impact sensor located right behind the grill just under the hoodlatch. make sure that it is there(have seen bodyshops forget to put them back), make sure it is securely plugged up(remove plug and check for bent pins,seen this too) make sure the harness is not damaged. That harness is part of the engine room harness and that part of the SRS system is shielded. If it is damaged or pinched Nissan does not recomend that it is repaired just replaced due to the sensitive nature of the shielded circuit. Before you start poking around on this disconnect the negative battery cable for about 10 min to discharge the system. Also this is highly recomended if you do any welding on the truck because you CAN set off the airbags.

Smoke05 · 04-01-2007, 12:19 PM

I'm going to check on it tomorrow to see what is up and what exactly they have been doing. I'm starting to get really PO'd as I need the truck for spring clean up and to build a playscape. I was quoted a 7 day repair.

cpaul · 04-01-2007, 12:23 PM

If they have to replace the engine room harness it IS a pain in the butt. I have done this a few times.

Smoke05 · 04-01-2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaul

You have a front impact sensor located right behind the grill just under the hoodlatch. make sure that it is there(have seen bodyshops forget to put them back), make sure it is securely plugged up(remove plug and check for bent pins,seen this too) make sure the harness is not damaged. That harness is part of the engine room harness and that part of the SRS system is shielded. If it is damaged or pinched Nissan does not recomend that it is repaired just replaced due to the sensitive nature of the shielded circuit. Before you start poking around on this disconnect the negative battery cable for about 10 min to discharge the system. Also this is highly recomended if you do any welding on the truck because you CAN set off the airbags.

OK I think this is what happened. The owner of the body shop mentioned the harness needing to be replaced because it could not be spliced. What gets me is that the light was not lit when I dropped it off and they found this after it was all put back together.

cpaul · 04-01-2007, 12:30 PM

I'd be curious to see where the damage was and what caused it?????????????

Smoke05 · 04-01-2007, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaul

I'd be curious to see where the damage was and what caused it?????????????

That is exactly why I am headed to the shop tomorrow. Damage from my impact was confined to the lower bumper. It was pushed up and mangled the skid plate, broke the plastic trim under the headlights and slightly bucked the passenger side fender where the trim around the fog light pushed up and out. The bumper was slightly bend as well. If the shop butchered something that wasn't broken in the impact, they will be getting a bill for anything more than 7 days worth of my POS Kia Optima rental and be eating the repair cost beyond the original quote. I don't want my insurance paying for their incompetance. They are an approved repair company for my insurance company which was a good thing. Only Nissan replacement parts and workmanship warranteed as long as I own the truck. I'm sure my agent would love to hear they are being bilked because someone cut something that wasn't broken and they are getting charged for it.

cpaul · 04-01-2007, 01:06 PM

If they was willing to fight for it. I have never seen a case where they would. Even after you told them they were getting screwed, and showed them proof. They just wasn't willing to fight. They didn't even want to hear what I had to say. They would just rather charge us higher rates, than hold anyone accountable.

Smoke05 · 04-01-2007, 01:14 PM

I'm already $300 over what 7 days would have been on the rental car. I'm guessing the harness is not cheap and neither was the trip to the Nissan dealer as well as the labor to install it. The initial quote was $3,200. My Insurance company is picking up the rental as well. I'm sure they would not want a company that is hosing them and their customers on their preferred list. I noticed the company is also AAA recommended as well. I have been dealing withthe owner and he seems genuine. I met him when I had the estimate done and dropped off the truck. Their customer service has been good but I am losing it as work I need the truck for is starting to pile up as well as needing to tow my boat and camper very soon. A day or two added on for parts delays is not a big deal, but this has been going on since March 12th.

cpaul · 04-01-2007, 01:32 PM

The harness is high. I don't know what the price is because I don't have access to current parts cat. or price list anymore. But the last one I had was on an Infiniti G I think and the price of the harness was in the neighborhood of 2k. I have replaced a few on trucks and Armadas, but I never new the price.