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airbag sensors

Makroll on Sat June 30, 2007 12:28 PM User is offline

Year: 2001
Make: Kia Optimna

Airbag light stays on.
Does any one know if a Kia Optima has airbag sensors in front of the car by the radiator or bumper?
Thanks

NickD on Sun July 01, 2007 8:23 AM User is offline

Batauto.com, kind of ackits sister site has a policy not to give advice on SRS and ABS systems, this goes along with just about any aftermarket scanner that doesn't want to accept the liability for displaying any error codes with these systems. While there aren't that many codes, normally less than ten, the problem can be anywhere, you are just guessing with the sensors.

We are told an airbag system adds 125 bucks to the cost of the vehicle, so logic dictates that the cost to repair such a system should be less than this, plus they are required by law, and most carry an extended or lifetime warranty so I would check with your dealer first. It's another one of those microcontroller systems with an embedded program,

My friends that like to play with rebuildables as they are so called, outfits that buy insurance wrecks for a couple of bucks and attempt to make a huge profit, forgot to cover the cost of replacing this required by law system, their efforts became a loss rather than a profit. They asked me to check out the controller, the ones I have looked at were a one time circuit, once it tripped it was history and burnt itself up, told them you may well have asked me to repair a popped balloon. It was outrageous what the dealer charged them for a new controller.

Airbags are a sore subject with me, for each none wearing seat belt driver whose life was saved with an airbag, one was killed by these, and the cost to the American driving public for this one saved driver is about 25 million dollars. Always think about driving cross handed, your own fist can kill or injure you. Have a friend that was severely injured going slowly around a city street corner when an idiot pulled out and hit him. He is suffering from major neck damage.

My three kids with kids have to drive vans, can't put any in the front seat, so the front seat is useless, that just leaves the rear seat in a normal car that can only hold two baby seats, with three kids, not enough space, so need at least three seats. As these vehicles only have four doors, kind of difficult to get kids out of that rear seat in case of a fire. Airbags are primary for headon collisions that doesn't help you much if an idiot runs a red light and rams you in the side. Very little thought was given to protection in these vehicles and also feel it stupid to put a large box on a compact car chassis. But it is the law. I have yet to have problems with airbags, but if I did, would give both the car manufacture and dealer pure hell if I did.

Makroll on Mon July 02, 2007 9:02 PM User is offline

Nick
I agree with you that no one likes to get involved with airbags once they blow.
And I don't blame them. It can be risky business in one doesn't know what he's doing.
Yet, that's my occupation.
I was rebuilding long before airbags were invented. So the airbags just kind of came along with the business.
It was either quit or learn the trade.
Once in a while I run into a tough one, such as this this Optima.
I'm not above asking around before I take it to a dealer because sometimes I get a helpful clue.
Many dealers also don't like to give out their secrets, they want you to bring it in.
But, tha't one way I'll be able to learn what was wrong, (and be ready for the next one) although sometimes the cost is beyond reasonable. The cost of education is not always free.
Anyway NickD, I enjoyed your comment.
Thanks
Martin


NickD on Mon July 02, 2007 10:04 PM User is offline

Sorry Martin, didn't know you were in the business of repair. Each system is similar but different, each has it's own way of disabling the bag. I would more than likely attempt to see if I could repair my own system, always the possibility of a corroded connector that I find to be the majority of the problems. But before doing so, would become very familiar with the circuit and know what I can and cannot do. In my 92 DeVille, there is 99 pages of the shop manual devoted to making SIR tests, after disabling the bag first, would read those and make sure I comprehend everything first. ABS was much easier, did have problems with that and do not have a GM Tech 1 scanner, but I read the entire 46 pages first, memorized all the error codes and used my electronic equipment to test each device that would generate a code. Found the problem, repaired it, and the ABS light went out, even could feel the vibration in the pedal after the fix.

Also learned by reading the shop manuals, my 04 Cavalier is spying on me with a little box under the passenger seat, in the event of a crash, records how fast I was going, how quickly I slowed down, and whether I was wearing my seat belts or not, was pretty teed off when I learned that. Not sure if it can be bypassed, probably not, but just make sure I am wearing my belt.

mk378 on Mon July 02, 2007 11:27 PM User is offline

The thing is only GM claims to knows how to read that box out. Now if a 757 crashes, would they send the "black box" to Boeing and trust what they conclude about it? Those car black boxes should be laughed out of every court in America once given a serious test.

Makroll on Tue July 03, 2007 7:03 PM User is offline

I agree that one needs to be very familiar with his occupation.
The bad part of this business is that one hears of reports
that some airbags do not work or go off too soon right from the factory.
I've fixed many different makes of cars with airbag proplems.
But this Optima has me baffeled. Some dealers admit there are problems in design.
Can you imagine the time in jail one would have to serve if an airbag didn't work right?
Maybe I should be changing occupations.
I also have quite a bit of experience in automobile air conditioning since about half
of the cars I repair are hit in the front.
I realize that I should be on a Kia forum but I just kinda like this place.
The OFF TOPIC channel gives a person a chance to unwind and show off some of his ignorance at times.
Don't get me wrong, There also is some good stuff here.
This is a little good feature!
Thanks
Martin




boatmoter on Thu July 05, 2007 6:52 PM User is offline

airbag light on could mean low resistance at any of the air bag modules or a seat belt. your best bet would be to let a pro scan it for codes.. if you don't know too much about those systems you can set one off and get hurt..and the air bags are around $1000.00 for a new one plus labor and a new crash sensor.

-------------------------
Glenn //

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