pre-tensioners have fired - options/expense?

[Henry]

i ran over a rock (cunningly disguised as slush, the f*cker) earlier on and now have a number of problems; just looking for a little advice.

having had a good look at the suspension, i think all's well (apart from a buckled Turini; got a spare though) and it seems to drive OK so i'm hoping i'll get away with just having the geo checked.
problem is in the cabin though, as the car has fired both of the passenger belts. it's lucky neither were occupied as it wasn't really all that necessary, and i've no idea why the driver's side didn't fire (as well they didn't as the car would be off the road if they had).

anyway, what are my options here? is it possible to source s/h units (front and rear) and DIY? or am i looking at the possibility of an insurance job and a Renault dealer? the SERV and airbag lights are also on - are indie specialists able to reset these, or only Renault?

any advice greatly appreciated
thanks

 

[Has]

Right,

The pre-tensioners can be replaced easily by yourself. Sourced either new or second hand.

BUT because they have fired now, the airbag computer records this as an accident. This has to be replaced (So Renault say) or "Reset". If replacing it, the new one has to be configured by Renault.

Now thats where it is costly, the computer and renault charges are a good few hundred pounds.


You can send your airbag computer off to be reset in Germany, bmh.01 has had this done on here and it worked a treat and saved him a lot of money.

Might be worth PMing him or something.

So all together,

2 x new pretensions

1 x airbag computer
1 x renault programme

OR

have existing computer reset.


Hope that helps a little.

 

[Henry]

it does - thanks a lot

the airbag ECU sounds a PITA though; basically another dealer gravy train? marvellous

 

[Has]

If you are willing to send the unit off id save the money and do that, works out SO much cheaper.

pre-tensioners can be picked up easily.


Otherwise id consider getting quote from dealer for full job and/or insurance claim possibly.

 

[Henry]

i do have protected no-claims, so that's an option i might look into (would rather not, though, given there's no other damage - it's an irritation that they've gone off and are likely to be expensive to restore 'properly')

is the car immobile whilst this airbag ECU is off and in Germany?

 

[Has]

i do have protected no-claims, so that's an option i might look into (would rather not, though, given there's no other damage - it's an irritation that they've gone off and are likely to be expensive to restore 'properly')

is the car immobile whilst this airbag ECU is off and in Germany?

No, i dont think so, it simply has no working airbags or pre-tensioners. Altho with it recording an accident already i think they are already disabled now.

 

[Henry]

ah, right; interesting

thanks again. i think i'll call Renault tomorrow for an idea of how much is involved and then think on

 

[Henry]

ok.. my local dealer has told me that i need to replace both front pre-tensioners, but only the one rear. they've also said that the computer must be replaced and cannot be reset

the pre-tensioners are actually surprisingly reasonable (F/£70ea, R/£40) but the computer is £180 and labour for the lot is £220. need to have a look at my insurance excess but am just wondering what people make of their insistance that both front P/Ts will need renewing and that the computer isn't resettable (is that just the way Renault do things?)

 

[bmh.01]

The computers do not have to be replaced, even the renault airbag manual states this it they only need to be replaced after 4 denonations or more. Just seems to be common practise to change the lot and give you a big bill anyway.

Car isn't immobile sans airbag computer just puts the airbag light on the dash as it is now, and there are places in the UK doing it now so no need to send it to germany anymore.

 

[Henry]

i did wonder if it was just 'the Renault way'. don't suppose you've the name of any of these UK reprogrammers?

also, wondering why i'd need to replace both front pre-tensioners if only the one has fired

 

[bmh.01]

You don't, another money making idea most likely. People get scared about airbags and will pay whatever is what they're counting on. You only need to replace whats fired.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AIRBAG-MODULE-RESET-CRASH-DATA-CLEARED-FREE-POST_W0QQitemZ200306335878QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item200306335878&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1689|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1308

 

[msisleman]

A quick hijack here, my left rear has also fired in the past (haven't got round to replacing yet). When you say the pretensioner is £40 for the rears, is this the whole seatbelt inertia reel unit, without the anchor? Or just the pretensioner bit that you replace on the inertia reel unit?

Cheers

 

[Harry_manback]

when mine fired off it broke all the plastic off the chairs.

1st phone renault, speak to alex phealing, make him aware of the fact that you did not crash. if theres NO damage to the bottom of your car they might sort it for free!!

if not, when mine fired off, josh sorted me out, think it cost about £250 for a new seat inc. tentioner, airbag, restiching, new plastics also rear belt/pretentioner unit, think the computer cost £80 to get done + labour etc.

good luck!

 

[Henry]

You don't, another money making idea most likely. People get scared about airbags and will pay whatever is what they're counting on. You only need to replace whats fired.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AIRBAG-MODULE-RESET-CRASH-DATA-CLEARED-FREE-POST_W0QQitemZ200306335878QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item200306335878&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1689|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1308

great - cheers for that.

msisleman - i'm assuming that's just the pretensioner gubbins; part number i was given is 8200239673

harry - aye, the plastic trim has exploded on mine, too. i can't see any other damage to the seat but wonder what might be hidden.

 

[Tucker]

spin outttttttttttt!!!!

you aint foolin me

 

[Henry]

took me a while to figure out what you meant, but lol

tis genuine - i even went back to remove the rock to save anyone else. you should have seen it - it was a boulder!

 

[Da]

If you're driving around with the airbag light on personally I'd be tempted to contact my insurance to check on the legalities of this.

I'm not saying it will invalidate your policy but I'm sure it would have some baring on any personal injury claims resulting from a bump.

 

[bmh.01]

The rears come as one unit, does a cup have rear pretensioners though?

 

[Henry]

mine does appear to have individually pre-tensioned rears as only the passenger side belts have gone off. ?

when you say the computer should be replaced if four devices have deployed, is that during the one event? (as i suspect some accident history to my car)

 

[bmh.01]

4 dets full stop as I read it, well if its had previous then it should've had a new airbag comp if done through the insurance when they won't question costs like that.

 

[Henry]

assume that will have been the case. my excess is likely to be a fair bit more than the cost (as far as i can see so far) of my doing it all myself, so think i'm edging towards that at the moment

thanks for the replies here by the way

 

[Henry]

more, sorry

doddle to remove the front PT and the airbag computer, but i've momentarily stumbled with the rear

the PT mech seems to be fitted with 5 point security screws (haven't any bits - will have to go shopping tomorrow); leading on from that, i was looking at a thread on search yesterday that someone had posted to explain how you resurrect a rear reel that has been tensioned by PT activation - can't find it now - can anyone point me in the right direction? thanks again

 

[lemonnobby]

henry, the rear ones are easy to replace. we have replace some for S J curtis in the past and although some hasnt gone off this can still show up as a fault. I wouldnt try and resurrect the old ones. if something happens in the future you will be liable

 

[Henry]

cheers Paul. think i might have spotted you in the shed earlier - car was at Cooks for the bonnet recall

i've bought a s/h front PT and a s/h reel (with unfired PT) - was just going to fit those once i've got the reprogrammed ECU back (have been told that it's not a cert that they can reset it - have to wait and see what's said)

does that sound OK to you? fairly keen on ensuring everything's done properly(ish)

 

[lemonnobby]

Yea resets are fine if its done proberly. Yea fit them and you should be laughing