This is an excellent write up. I have replaced them before and generally people skip many of these parts/steps I know I am reviving an ancient thread, but if taking it somewhere is not an option then this is the next best thing

 

Civics have explosively locking seatbelts. Your seatbelt may be permanently locked in the position you had it when you were wearing it, the only way to really tell is with the proper diagnostic equipment, if it is locked the seatbelt must be replaced. Get your car fixed by a professional shop. Airbags are deadly and should only be installed by professionals. Also, if you somehow screw up the repair/replacement and you sell the car and the next owner and the get into an accident and are injured or killed due to to something not functioning properly, you could be liable. So take the safe route, get it fixed professionally. If you have insurance the most you will probably pay is $500 or so for the deductable.

 

Estimate is just that, a estimate. I can write one or better yet Audit their's. I do this for a living.

 

IMO airbags popping out is not as big of an issue as it was when they first came out. Take it to a shop, get an estimate and see how bad the damages are. A good shop can fix it up right and you'll never know. problem is finding that "good" shop. Being you just bought the car you would probably lose money in trying to trade it in.

 

Last Updated 05/13/2008

YEAR, MAKE & MODEL

Acura

CSX 2006-2008

Honda

Civic Coupe 2006-2008

Civic Sedan 2006-2008

Civic Sedan Hybrid 2006-2008



PARTS THAT MUST BE REPLACED FOLLOWING A DEPLOYMENT

For seat belt tensioner(s) deployment:

* Seat belt tensioners [Front Seatbelts]

* Seat belt buckle tensioners

* SRS unit [Airbag Control Module]

* Front impact sensors

* Seat belts in use during a collision

* Any damaged restraint system part



For front airbag(s) deployment:

* SRS unit [Airbag Control Module]

* Deployed airbag(s)

* Seat belt tensioners [Front Seatbelts]

* Seat belt buckle tensioners

* Front impact sensors

* Seat belts in use during a collision (front includes belt and buckle
pretensioners)

* Any damaged restraint system part



For side seat airbag(s) deployment:

* SRS unit [Airbag Control Module]

* Deployed side airbag(s) [Front Seat Airbag]

* Side impact sensor(s) for the side(s) deployed

* B-pillar lower trim

* Complete seat frame for the deployed side

* Seat belts in use during a collision (front includes belt and buckle
pretensioners)

* Any damaged restraint system part



For side curtain(s) deployment:

* SRS unit [Airbag Control Module]

* Deployed side curtain airbag(s) [Roof Airbag]

* Seat belt tensioners [Front Seatbelts]

* Side impact sensor(s) for the side(s) deployed

* Rear safing sensor

* Roof trim [Headliner]

* A-pillar trim

* B-pillar lower trim

* C-pillar trim

* Front grab handle

* Rear grab handle

* All related trim clips

* Sunvisors

* Any damaged restraint system part



PARTS THAT MUST BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF DAMAGED

For seat belt tensioners or front airbag(s) deployment:

* SRS wire harnesses [Interior Airbag Harness]

* Cable reel [Clockspring]

* Any restraint system part or wiring identified by diagnostic check



For side airbag(s) deployment:

* SRS wire harnesses [Interior Airbag Harness]

* Seat-back cushion

* Seat-back frame

* Any restraint system part or wiring identified by diagnostic check



For side curtain(s) deployment:

* SRS wire harnesses [Interior Airbag Harness]

* Headliner

* Any restraint system part or wiring identified by diagnostic check



DISABLE PROCEDURE AND TIME

(Always Check Service Manual)

Before removing a front airbag, side airbag, curtain airbag or other SRS related
devices (the SRS unit, the cable reel, the front sensor, the side impact
sensors, the seat belt buckle tensioners, and the seat belt tensioner
connector), disconnecting connectors from related devices, or removing the
dashboard or the steering column, disconnect the airbag connectors or the side
airbag connectors to prevent accidental deployment.



1. Turn the ignition switch OFF, disconnect the negative cable from the battery,
and wait at least 3 minutes.



Driver's Airbag and Cable Reel

2. Remove the access panel from the steering wheel, then disconnect the driver's
airbag 4P connector from the cable reel.



Front Passenger's Airbag

3. Lower the glove box, then disconnect the front passenger's airbag 4P
connector from the dashboard wire harness.



Side Airbag

4. Disconnect both side airbag 2P connectors from the floor wire harness.



Seat Belt and Buckle Tensioners

5. Disconnect the seat belt tensioner 2P connector (A) from the rear door wire
harness.

6. Disconnect the seat belt buckle tensioner 4P connector.



SRS Unit

7. Remove the dashboard center lower cover. Pull down the carpet, then remove
the torx bolt (A) from the SRS unit.





The following charts were developed in cooperation with I-CAR, the
Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair. The contents are based on
the information available at the time of publication. To ensure the most recent
information is used, always refer to the vehicle manufacturer's technical
information before working with airbags and other passive restraint systems.



Don't ever guess...

 

Nice work man. Yup thats the list that is given to me when I fix a car with airbag deployment. Remember that some of the things on the list are not mandatory to replace. The seatbelts may not have been effected, headliner might not be screwed......just use good judgement. Everything to do with the bag though (sensors and controllers) must be replaced. The seatbelts you will know if they went off because they are pyrotechnic and they just will not retract anymore. Check them for normal operation by pulling them fast to make sure it locks. Then check for damage to the actual belt itself. Honestly the repair of this is not rocket science it's just scary if you have never done it. It's all plug and play. The controller is in the center console on the floor by the firewall. You have to take out the trim around the shifter to get at it. It is three or four bolts and two plugs. The rest get the parts and look for something that looks the same. Remember to disconnect the battery and let the car sit for a bit before starting the procedure. Use this list it will be your bible. The parts will be expensive. One more thing, never hook the battery back up without everything plugged in. Good luck

 

I was wondering if anyone could give me an estimated guess as to if this would even be an option for me. If my insurance company gives me the check and I get it fixed, would trading it in back to the same dealership and getting another one even be a wise decision. What would occur and how much would I lose?

 

it doesnt have to go to honda. An reputable bodyshop can do the work. I'm not saying don't go to honda, just sayings it's not your only choice. Just make sure the shop that you do choose does good work and its not some place thats gonna cut corners.

 

Following airbag depoyment on all vehicles the airbag controller must be changed along with the effected sensor and airbag otherwise the SRS light will stay on. Also there is an occupant sensor under the front passenger seat that may need to be changed if there was a passenger in your car. It's not that hard.

 

I would've let him hit me ... no way I'm veering off the road to do untold amounts of damage to my own car so someone else can get away with being an idiot!

I feel for ya ... that sucks!

-John

 

Wow man that really sucks, you saved that guy 2-3k worth of money and im guessing he didnt stop? You didnt mention that he did

 

If the paint isn't broken under the passenger door, the HFP side skirts will cover the damage perfectly. no one will ever know. As to the airbags, don't mess with them, get them replaced at the dealership.

 

i would just claim it through your insurance and take it to honda to have it fixed.

hopefully you also got the information from the truck?

 

You say he drove into the side of you, so it was his fault. Did you report it?

the truckers insurance company should be paying for the damages to your car.

 

I think I worded it incorrectly. I swerved into the grass to avoid him hitting me. It was a black f-250. I didnt see his plates as I was to busy hitting the concrete. I also found more damage. The area underneath the passenger door also hit the concrete and there is a 3 foot smashed up area. Scratched and smashed upwards. Almost not noticeable unless you crouch. I checked my seatbelts and they are working fine. Im expecting the claim to be between 2-3k worth of damage. 500 deductible. My insurance is gonna ream my butt in 6 months.

 

any time the airbags deploy you must replace the srs unit....at least thats how it is with mazda so im assuming its the same thing

 

Sorry to hear that dude, as everyone says Honda is the way to go. I hope everything works out for you

 

Wow that sucks but Honda is your best bet. My friend replaced his airibags in his car and its been nothing but trouble for him. GL guy

 

going to honda is the the most safe way do go about this