Random airbag deployment - Page 2

positiveions · 10-10-2012, 08:08 PM

wow, that's got to be scary.
Once, I was driving on the FWY, there was a guy in an E36 driving 2 lanes away from me. Heard a loud pop. Looked over, the poor guy was so terrified, he had that death look on his face.

minigearhead · 10-10-2012, 09:17 PM

''

Quote:

Originally Posted by smmmurf

holy crap. yeah, i've heard of this happening a couple times before. bmw should at least goodwill you a new EDIT: car.

ooowowizstev · 10-12-2012, 05:03 PM

Wow, that is scary. Glad you're ok.

DARK_M3 · 10-12-2012, 05:19 PM

It was just reminding you to have it replaced

canadian stig · 10-12-2012, 05:46 PM

Damn, that is scary!!!!! Good for the OP maintaining his cool and avoiding a serious accident! BMW should absolutely be held liable for this. Airbags are not supposed to go off by themselves and i can't believe there is no recall for the problem if it's really that common on the e46. And I really can't see how hitting a pothole or lowering the suspension should trigger the airbag. I thought they only activate via impact sensors, so they only come off if the car's chassis begins to buckle in a collision.

And regarding the issue of the car being old, is there anything in the owner's manual that says airbags and sensors should be inspected or replaced after a certain period? As far as I know no manufacturer asks for inspections or replacement of airbag components as part of routine maintenance. Logically that implies that the airbags are expected to last the life of the vehicle, which is usually more than 11 years.

m3an · 10-12-2012, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canadian stig

Damn, that is scary!!!!! Good for the OP maintaining his cool and avoiding a serious accident! BMW should absolutely be held liable for this. Airbags are not supposed to go off by themselves and i can't believe there is no recall for the problem if it's really that common on the e46. And I really can't see how hitting a pothole or lowering the suspension should trigger the airbag. I thought they only activate via impact sensors, so they only come off if the car's chassis begins to buckle in a collision.

And regarding the issue of the car being old, is there anything in the owner's manual that says airbags and sensors should be inspected or replaced after a certain period? As far as I know no manufacturer asks for inspections or replacement of airbag components as part of routine maintenance. Logically that implies that the airbags are expected to last the life of the vehicle, which is usually more than 11 years.

yeah I don't know what the other guy was saying but airbags should last indefinitely. You're right that the bags are triggered via impact sensors but many of these newer sensors operate based on g force. Many are gyroscopic sensors using angular velocity. Some little sensors have a little device inside fluid and any real abrupt force can deploy the bag. Granted this should never happen, esp to newer more tech savy cars as the SRS systems are worlds better than when introduced.

10-10-2012, 08:08 PM	#23
positiveions Major General Drives: 09 MKV JETTA 2.5 & E90 M3 :) Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Verne, CA Posts: 8,851 iTrader: (1)	wow, that's got to be scary. Once, I was driving on the FWY, there was a guy in an E36 driving 2 lanes away from me. Heard a loud pop. Looked over, the poor guy was so terrified, he had that death look on his face. __________________

10-12-2012, 05:03 PM	#25
ooowowizstev Brigadier General Drives: '08 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Los Angeles, Irvine Posts: 3,774 iTrader: (4)	Wow, that is scary. Glad you're ok. __________________ '08 E92 ///M3 - AW/BLK/CF, M-DCT, 19's H&R, Vorsteiner, Eisenmann, BMC, BBS More to come...

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

10-12-2012, 05:19 PM	#26
DARK_M3 Banned Drives: 08 E90, 89 Grand Wagoneer Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,294 iTrader: (3)	It was just reminding you to have it replaced

10-12-2012, 05:46 PM	#27
canadian stig Banned Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: canada Posts: 242 iTrader: (0)	Damn, that is scary!!!!! Good for the OP maintaining his cool and avoiding a serious accident! BMW should absolutely be held liable for this. Airbags are not supposed to go off by themselves and i can't believe there is no recall for the problem if it's really that common on the e46. And I really can't see how hitting a pothole or lowering the suspension should trigger the airbag. I thought they only activate via impact sensors, so they only come off if the car's chassis begins to buckle in a collision. And regarding the issue of the car being old, is there anything in the owner's manual that says airbags and sensors should be inspected or replaced after a certain period? As far as I know no manufacturer asks for inspections or replacement of airbag components as part of routine maintenance. Logically that implies that the airbags are expected to last the life of the vehicle, which is usually more than 11 years.