Unable to remove airbag connectors

[GON]

Failed at trying to remove these connectors from a "exploded" airbag. Watched videos, took my time, just could not get the connectors off. Parts of the connectors are now destroyed.

I am guessing the airbag was replaced during a recall, and the technician smothered the

connector in a clear adhesive. There is plenty of adhesive at the base of the connectors.

I purchased a aftermarket clockspring on rockauto, only to strip the connector from the aftermarket clockspring.

 

[KGMtech]

What a mess! almost looks like Gorilla Glue.

 

[mk378]

Those look melted from the heat of the airbag firing. Likely the official procedure requires also replacing the clockspring if the airbag has deployed.

 

[Astro14]

Mercedes doesn’t put glue on the air bag connectors.

Hard to tell what happened here but I would use a new clock spring along with the new airbag.

I’m not sure I would trust soldering - as it can make a connection more brittle - leading to breaks when subjected to vibration and stress. If you read some of the FAA guidelines on electrical connections in aircraft, those connections don’t use solder.

 

[D60]

Mercedes doesn’t put glue on the air bag connectors.

Hard to tell what happened here but I would use a new clock spring along with the new airbag.

I’m not sure I would trust soldering - as it can make a connection more brittle - leading to breaks when subjected to vibration and stress. If you read some of the FAA guidelines on electrical connections in aircraft, those connections don’t use solder.

Now you've done it, the solder guys are amassing and gathering their pitchforks. (I also prefer a mechanical connection like crimping over solder, but don't tell anyone!)

 

[GON]

Gents, just a FYI this is a 2005 Lexus 470

 

[Astro14]

I had guessed that it was one of your W220 given the wood/leather wheel in the background. So, while I don’t know exactly what Lexus does, I would guess they are purely mechanical connection.

 

[atikovi]

I am guessing the airbag was replaced during a recall, and the technician smothered the connector in a clear adhesive. There is plenty of adhesive at the base of the connectors.

No, that's what happens to the connectors when the bag goes off sometimes. Seen it a few times.

I purchased a aftermarket clockspring on rockauto, only to strip the connector from the aftermarket clockspring.

Why? Why not just replace it whole? Did you cut and solder on the connectors? No manufacturer would approve that fix as it opens up liability for doing an unapproved repair.

 

[brianl703]

Why? Why not just replace it whole? Did you cut and solder on the connectors? No manufacturer would approve that fix as it opens up liability for doing an unapproved repair.

Years ago I had a car I got extremely cheaply (it was an impound). The airbag "fix" on that one was to remove the airbag light, then unplug the airbag module when it started beeping. I discovered that the airbag module was unplugged when I looked under the glove compartment. Plugged it back in and it started beeping. Looked up the codes to find that it was beeping because of a missing bulb.

What was actually wrong with it was a chafed wire under the hood, which would cause the airbag fuse to blow. Repaired that damage and it was fine.

 

[GON]

No, that's what happens to the connectors when the bag goes off sometimes. Seen it a few times.


Why? Why not just replace it whole? Did you cut and solder on the connectors? No manufacturer would approve that fix as it opens up liability for doing an unapproved repair.

I purchased a full airbag assembly from a licensed major (Pacific Northwest) auto parts dismantler. Went to install the replacement airbag assembly, and found I could not get the two clips (connectors) off. The parts puller from the dismantler had zero issues getting the clips removed from the donor vehicle. I have plenty of appropriate hand tools- and a ton of patience but could not get these connectors off. What I though would be just a minute to remove the connectors, ended up being a show stopper.

I don't think the adhesive is a result of the airbag exploding. My pure speculation is there was an airbag recall, and the technician glued all over the connectors, to reduce the likeliness of having to replace the airspring, after he manhandled the connectors. But just a guess. I can't imagine what adhesive would release after a airbag explosion to lock the connectors permanently in place.

 

[mk378]

I purchased a aftermarket clockspring on rockauto, only to strip the connector from the aftermarket clockspring.

I don't understand this. Replace both the clockspring and the airbag with your new ones. Don't modify anything.

 

[paulo57509]

I removed the airbag from the LS last month (as a precaution). There was no type of adhesive(s) on any of the connectors.

My guess with the 470 is either it was a recall or a previous airbag removal that damaged the connector locking tabs (or similar) and adhesive was a goober repair.

 

[mk378]

Watched videos

Are there any videos of removing the plugs from one after it has fired?

I think that's going to be impossible because the plastic melts together. The yellow substance resembling glue was once a plastic label.

 

[GON]

Gents,

Thanks for all the inputs, very helpful as what I thought was a technician action (glue on connectors is in fact a result of the airbag explosion.

For reference from an AMZN review for airbag cables:
"Direct replacement for my 2006 4Runner. Should fit most similar models and manufacturers. Carefully remove old plug inserts (they melt when deployed) and just slide them in these new connections. If you take your time it takes maybe 5 minutes. Saved a good chunk of change with my new airbag from eBay and these new plugs"
In case anyone else needs to do this, here is the item on AMZN:
https://www.amazon.com/Airbag-Spring-Connector-Toyota-Subaru/dp/B087TDT7CJ/ref=sr_1_1?

 

[nthach]

Are there any videos of removing the plugs from one after it has fired?

I think that's going to be impossible because the plastic melts together. The yellow substance resembling glue was once a plastic label.

Yep - an airbag inflator is basically a small solid-fuel rocket engine. The connectors for the the explosive squibs(think blasting caps) and they ignite a solid fuel mixture of an nitrogen-rich fuel and an oxidizer(potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate - same stuff behind the Takata recall or another oxidizer) to inflate the bag. Some designs(hybrid solid-gas inflators) have a canister of liquid helium/argon that also gets discharged when the solid fuel part burns.

 

[nthach]

Those connectors look like JST SQA/SQB or JAE MX72 type locking ZIF connectors. The yellow lock is what secures the connector. Adhesive isn’t used. So the connectors and the label on the inflator are destroyed when the airbag is deployed.

 

[Astro14]

I removed the airbag from the LS last month (as a precaution). There was no type of adhesive(s) on any of the connectors.

My guess with the 470 is either it was a recall or a previous airbag removal that damaged the connector locking tabs (or similar) and adhesive was a goober repair.

As a precaution against what?

 

[SatinSilver]

There is a side airbag recall on these. If you go to www.carcomplaints.com and plug all the info in then click on "recalls".

 

[GON]

Just a supplemental comment whole doing research on airbag deployment and what impact may occur to the clockspring. I have not validated the below statement, but I thought worth posting:

The chemical reaction in the airbag happens for only a couple of milliseconds and will inflate an airbag fully in under 35milliseconds normally. The type of reactions used only generate about 350'C and are over in a tiny fraction of a second so no there is never enough heat for long enough to damage the connectors on top of which the airbag does not back fire all the energy is fired at the drivers face, and separated by a pressed steal casing to focus the energy at the driver's face.

So all in all no there will not be any damage to the clock Spring caused by the airbag going off and there is only likely to be any damage at all if it's a big high energy accident, in which case he'd not be repairing the car he'd be sweeping it into a little bag

 

[paulo57509]

As a precaution against what?

I was doing work on the steering column in the vehicle. Even with the battery disconnected; having never worked around airbags, I removed the assembly and stored it face up on the floor.

I used to work for a company that made inflators for Takata back in the mid-80's. No doubt the propellant used then is different than today.