ago in Others by
I bought a second car which is the same year, make and model as my first car but second car has no driver airbags. Would your average mechanic be willing/able to take the airbags from the first car and install them in the second? [USA, VA]

4 Answers

+1 vote
ago by
Are the AIR BAGS missing from the second car?

There are TEST PROCEDURES and SPECIFIC TOOLS to test the air bag system prior to installing air bags..

Most mechanics know better than to just willy nilly install and airbag where one was missing..
+1 vote
ago by
Why would the same year, make, and model of a car not have airbags when the other does? Were there originally airbags in the car? Why were they removed in the first place.
ago by
I (stupidly and unwittingly) bought a car from a dealership without airbags.
+1 vote
ago by
I’m 99% sure it’s illegal to remove them IF the car is registered for road use (I’m in VA also). I know it’s illegal to sell it without airbags. I don’t think a shop would be willing because of liability issues and such. I could be wrong but I’m fairly confident.
+1 vote
ago by
As a technician my ONLY response to that would be NOPE.

The only thing that goes in a vehicle that is somehow missing an airbag module is a brand new air bag module from the vehicle OEM. For a variety of reasons, with the absolute first being if for some reason it does not function as it should in an impact you could be hurt or worse and I don't want that on my conscience. The second being the absolute liability nightmare for myself and/or my employer.If you bring that to my place of business asking me to do what you are describing I will do exactly one thing which is in my power as a Virginia State Inspector: remove the Virginia State Inspection sticker immediately and contact a state trooper to prevent you from driving it away should you attempt to do so. I will happily at that point give you a tow out of my own pocket or install a new airbag after verifying that the rest of the system (SRS) is still installed and in working order.

pg 102 Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Manual

>>>>
E. Air bag and air bag readiness light.
Inspect for and reject if:

Any defects in the air bag system are noted by the air bag readiness light or otherwise indicated;

The air bag has been deployed and has not been replaced (and is not deactivated because of a medical or other exemption and a notice is posted to indicate that it has been deactivated);

Any part of the air bag system has been disabled or removed from the vehicle; or

If the air bag indicator fails to light or stays on continuously.

NOTE: Checking the air bag readiness light. Turn the ignition key to the on position; the air bag readiness light will indicate normal operation by lighting for six to eight seconds, then turning off. A system malfunction is indicated by the flashing or continuous illumination of the readiness light or failure of the light to turn on.

NOTE: Any vehicle not originally manufactured with an air bag readiness light shall not be rejected for not having this item.
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