How do we know our airbags still work on 1998 or so?

Post by **MrAl** » 21 Mar 2024, 10:48

Hi,

How can we tell if the air bags still work or even if they are damaged in these older cars like 1998 and even older models?

Post by **Clemens** » 21 Mar 2024, 15:53

Simply put: We don't. Volvo had a replacement due sticker on the B pillar I think for 15 years. My 94 would be due for a second replacement. Cars of that vintage are awesome, but if I were to crash I'd even pick a Toyota Yaris over any of my sleds.

But, some people blew up Volvo airbags and they seemed to work fine.

Post by **abscate** » 21 Mar 2024, 17:33

Test them by running into the back of a Tesla.

xanthefin · Post by **xanthefin** » 21 Mar 2024, 17:34

If not water damaged airbags (bang material is good like WW2 explosives still under mud) and some SRS modules can tell if energy reserve is okay (big caps inside SRS modules) then i don't see a reason why would not explode in accident.

Not personally even new ones are what i could write "100%" will explode in all situations.

abscate wrote: ↑21 Mar 2024, 17:33 Test them by running into the back of a Tesla.

aeg · Post by **aeg** » 21 Mar 2024, 17:55

Originally, Volvo recommended inspecting or replacing airbags after 10 years (extended in 2003 to 15 or 20 years depending on model year). Per Service Manager Bulletin 88-017 in 2006, airbag lifetime has been extended to "the lifetime of the car". Does that mean the airbags will work? Maybe... Robert posted a YouTube video in 2013 where he blew up a '96 850 SIPS bag, so I guess we have independent confirmation that at least one of them was still working after 17 years.

According to VADIS, the SRS inspection procedure is to turn the key and make sure the SRS lamp lights up for 5-10 seconds. There is a second procedure for manually testing the seatbelt tensioner, and a procedure for inspecting the SIPS bag after a non-deploying collision.

Post by **FireFox31** » 21 Mar 2024, 21:31

I have a few extra airbags (steering wheel and seats) which I've been wanting to detonate. Specifically, I wanted to see if the seat airbags would punch through aftermarket skins; if their stitching was designed to fail like OEM. Now I wonder what kind of science could be done on exploding a steering wheel airbag to help determine its functionality. Sure, it's only checking that one.

Hey, if the 24 year old airbag in neglected Geronimo with 380k miles could detonate, I suspect any could. (I have a nicer one I'd like to swap in.)

Post by **Goupil** » 22 Mar 2024, 13:16

I dont know about P80s, but my 1994 940 airbags were working in 2022

Source: my face

Post by **scot850** » 22 Mar 2024, 18:47

Ouch!

Neil.

Post by **cmblackburn** » 24 Mar 2024, 07:06

I've recently seen a 1993 240, 1993 850 and 1994 850 with bags deployed properly, as well as a 2000 S70 with SIPSbags and the main airbags deployed. I trust them more than any Takata airbag!
My 1994 has a sticker in the door jam for 2004, 1998 for 2008, and 2004 for 2014 - but Volvo apparently extended that to "lifetime of the vehicle"
I don't think they meant for them to last 30+ years, though, judging by the interior plastics.

Post by **MrAl** » 28 Mar 2024, 03:32

Hello again,

Hey thanks for all the replies, very helpful.

My main concern is not that the bag will not open, I could put up with that because I drive safely and slowly (ha ha) and take back roads most of the time going 25mph.

My main concern is the material used to make the bag. Will it have cracks in it after 30 years. If there is a crack in the bag (or other leak) what happens to your face when it tries to blow itself up, using what I would guess is hot gasses from an explosion. Does the hot gas shoot right out at your face and eyes.