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Topic: Driver airbag ... is this a problem? (Read 322 times) |
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DavidBE
Full Member
1998 Ghia X 2.9 24V Auto Estate
Posts: 135
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Driver airbag ... is this a problem?
« on: Sep 15th, 2021, 8:35pm » |
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I've managed to avoid having anything to do with airbags before, which is leaving me very nervous ...
So, I've been trying to swap out the scratched and scuffed facia for a very good condition one from eBay. Spent quite some time sitting in the driver seat struggling to detach the assorted electrical plugs behind the facia which I couldn't really see to know where the release catches were, then had a massive fight to extract the facia - the vent on the far right wouldn't come clear, with full down and back on the steering wheel not enough. But finally did it ... and when I sat back in the seat I found the centre of the steering wheel - i.e. the airbag - had detached itself from the rest of the steering wheel and is hanging forwards, still attached by electrical wires.
So I've got the old facia out, swapped some bits onto the 'new' one (like the light switches) and after another massive fight got the new facia in position (but not connected and fastened down yet). But I'm really not sure what to do about the steering wheel centre/airbag. Does it just clip back into place? Can I press on it to clip it in or whatever? Is the airbag at all likely to suddenly go off?
Thanks for any advice/reassurance.
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brds
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Posts: 150
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Re: Driver airbag ... is this a problem?
« Reply #1 on: Sep 15th, 2021, 8:59pm » |
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I'm amazed it just popped out because it should be held very securely by two captive bolts through from the rear. They should still be there but are awkward to get at so presumably why they were left undone.
There's info on the site under 'Airbags' but I would disconnect the battery until you've got it all back.
While you had the facia out did you check all the bulbs, particularly the clock?
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Simmo
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I'm an OAP !
Posts: 5508
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Re: Driver airbag ... is this a problem?
« Reply #2 on: Sep 15th, 2021, 9:11pm » |
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The Airbag manual mentioned is Here 
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DavidBE
Full Member
1998 Ghia X 2.9 24V Auto Estate
Posts: 135
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Re: Driver airbag ... is this a problem?
« Reply #3 on: Sep 15th, 2021, 10:02pm » |
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Ah, right. So those are two Torx screws on the back of the steering wheel. So basically I have to find if they're still there, offer up the airbag and try to engage the Torx screws. But keep myself away from right in front of it until it's secured. Thanks.
I had got every bulb everywhere on this Scorpio working after I got it last year (even the torch key), and did check all the bulbs I could on the new fascia, and replaced the main light switch (which had a blown bulb) with the switch, including bulb, from the old fascia (whose bulb I'd replaced previously ... quite a hunt to find a source of those bulbs, I seem to remember) while changing the whole light bezel (mine has the headlight adjusting switch while the new one didn't). I actually replaced the whole clock in the new fascia with the old one(with known working bulb) as the new one had a broken clip which i thought might create a rattle. When I try to reconnect everything tomorrow, one thing I will check before fitting the fascia completely into place are the front and rear screen heater switches as I wasn't sure which contacts were the bulbs in them to test - if they don't work at least I have the working ones from the old fascia.
I suspect my biggest remaining annoyance will be getting the audio (Ford 6000 RDS) in, as the new fascia had the older opening, with the crossbar and a tray below it. I've unscrewed the tray and cut out the crossbar but have a feeling I'm going to have to do some filing, especially in the corners. Just have to make sure I don't scratch and scuff this replacement fascia while fitting it.
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DavidBE
Full Member
1998 Ghia X 2.9 24V Auto Estate
Posts: 135
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Re: Driver airbag ... is this a problem?
« Reply #4 on: Sep 16th, 2021, 8:39pm » |
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Well, after some blind fumbling (good of Ford to mention they are Torx screws, but would have been helpful if they'd put what size) I've managed to get the airbag re-mounted on the steering wheel without any explosions. Thanks.
I too am puzzled as to how it came off. It certainly didn't seem inclined to stay in position when I put it back- and had to hold it in place - before I engaged the screws. I can only imagine the screws were just slightly done up and worked loose. In which case I'm lucky it came off when it did while I was removing the fascia. It would have been very alarming if it had dropped off while I was driving along!
Changing of the fascia not going so well ... I should have noticed but didn't that two of the clips on the replacement fascia were broken. And when I went out to check all the lights in the dark just now, the lights were OK but the car wouldn't start and the trip computer panels stay blank, when it did start and the trip computer was fine when I set it back to miles from km earlier.
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