Volvo RWD 200 Forum
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SAVE SRS/airbag service 200
posted by Farm Boy on Thu Jul 2 08:09 CST 2009
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last visit: Sat Nov 21 00:28 CST 2009[RELATED]My recollection is that the original projected lifespan of the bag was 10 years, which was subsequently extended to 15 years.
I would not be concerned about a failure that caused unexpected deployment, but I would also not be surprised if the 20-yr-old bag split open on deployment, not doing any good and blowing hot gases in your face. I have not heard of this happening, but they can't last forever.
New air bags are prohibitively expensive (if available) and the ones I have seen on eBay I don't trust. I assume that they are junkyard 20-year-old bags that have been cleaned up and Armoralled to look new.
Therefore, my '91 has the original airbag system untouched and intact, though I don't have any confidence in it any more. When the SRS light went on in my '90, I tried to diagnose the problem and when I could not, I disconnected it.
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posted by Raleigh240 on Wed Jul 1 19:10 CST 2009
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last visit: Wed Nov 18 21:28 CST 2009[RELATED]When Volvo started using the SRS, 1990 I think, they weren't really sure about how long the "shelf life" was of an airbag, so they recommended replacement in ten years. Volvo later issued a TSB retracting this statement and noting that the airbags last for the usable life of the car or something like that. All Volvos were marked this way at least through the 1994 model year and probably longer.
I do know one person who owned a 240 where the previous owner had actually had all the SRS components replaced by a dealer, or course at a ridiculous price.
I actually don't like that my car has SRS. These are the old school, huge, single-stage exploding ones that will pretty much decapitate you if they pop. They were designed, as were the earliest GM ones from 1973, to protect a large man who wasn't buckled in, despite what your owner's manual says. I don't really know how to disable them short of pulling the SRS fuse, so I just deal with it. Stuff happens, you know. Volvos suck in this sense. I don't give two ****s about my own safety when driving. If I should crash and die, I'm cool with that. I'd rather fly through the windshield and get killed that way then by some stupid pyrotechnic device made by a weird-looking Swede.
If Volvo would get off this stupid emphasis on safety, I think their cars would be better respected. I still love my 240, only because of the cool styling, ease of repairs, and quality of construction.
Anyway, enough ranting for tonight.
Drew
--
formerly non-registered at drew b.
green 1993 240, 164k 'Cream Puff V,' formerly: blue 1988 240 DL 'Cream Puff III'
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SAVE SRS/airbag service 200
posted by
Ryan_R
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Thu Jul 2 07:37 CST 2009
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last visit: Fri Nov 20 15:24 CST 2009[RELATED]
This was my junior high school view on seat belts.... 'till I realized that there's a gray area between life and death that's basically life long frustrating injury... that sucks for you and everyone around you.
My wife got rear-ended in a Honda four years ago (before I met her). She still has periodic and substantial neck pain, which can really throw a wrench in the works of our day-to-day lives when it pops up. Had she been in one of our Volvo's (with proper head restraints), she'd be likely just fine today.
I've been in a pretty good accident with a 240, and walked away without any injury, but the car was a foot shorter.
After a good friend's daughter got killed in a car accident, I realized that automotive safety indeed seems pretty silly until the fallout strikes close to home.
-Ryan
--
Athens, Ohio
1987 245 DL 314k, Dog-mobile
1990 245 DL 134k M47, E-codes, GT Sway Bars, GT Braces
1991 745 GL 300k, Regina, 23/21mm Turbo Sway Bars
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posted by Jorrell on Wed Jul 1 21:08 CST 2009
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last visit: Sat Nov 21 21:51 CST 2009[RELATED]Drew,
You are correct about Volvo saying the SRS "bits" are just fine... (and I'll add to it) as long as the vinyl air bag cover in the center of the steering wheel is not split. As far as these Claymores... as I used to refer to them, my opinion about them changed on January 12th, 2002 when my wife crashed our 89 244 at 55MPH. Please note, that car had NO airbag and she was wearing the seat belt as always!
The nose of the 244 was shortened by four feet, the seat belt was fused in the locking mechanism, the seat back broke every weld, the car gave its all, even the floor boards were rippled front to back.
Unfortunately, according to the lack of an air bag, my wife's head slammed forward and broke her neck during the impact, the brain bruising that resulted required two heart restarts from the paddles after she was extracted from the car. By the graces of the good Lord she fully recovered after six months despite a less than 2% probability.
The first time I met her neurosurgeon (two hours after the wreck), he asked if the orthopedic surgeon had seen to her leg injuries, my response was a simple: "No, her legs are fine". He went on to explain that such neck and head injuries in a car crash are normally associated with the need for leg amputation. I showed him the pictures of what was left of the car, and he asked if it had an air bag, I said no (it didn't have one). His response was if it did have one, she would have unbuckled her seat belt, opened the door, and walked away with a bloody nose and black eyes!
Consider this the first time I've taken exception to one of your posts, Volvo is Volvo because of their zeal for safety! If it wasn't for Volvo, my wife and I would not have had the opportunity to enjoy our 26th wedding anniversary together by exchanging gifts and walking around the lake two weeks ago! If her accident had occurred in a lesser car, lets just say I would have been at the cemetery saying goodbye once again.
jorrell
NOTE: The 1973 GM airbags were only installed in Oldsmobile Toronado, the buyer was not aware of that. They were actually inflated from under the dash and the bags inflated upwards over the front of the occupant's legs. No one was killed by them, or even injured, and by all accounts, two peoples lives were saved by that system in a singular crash (not wearing seat belts).
--
92 245 278K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!
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posted by
Owned by Velma
on
Thu Jul 2 18:01 CST 2009
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last visit: Sat Nov 21 18:37 CST 2009[RELATED]Glad your wife was OK, Jor.
I was in a serious accident when I was about ten. Mom's insistence on seat belts probably saved our lives. We were both banged up real good. I can't remember if that car had shoulder belts or not. I think it did. So that's why I have always used seat belts. The only thing that worries me about an airbag deployment is that I wear eyeglasses and don't particularly want these mashed into my eyes. Yeech.
Anyway, since the sticker was unnecessarily alarmist, I will leave the system alone and hope I never have the oppty to test it. However, the vinyl covering is split on both sides. What might this affect?
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posted by Jorrell on Thu Jul 2 19:11 CST 2009
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last visit: Sat Nov 21 21:51 CST 2009[RELATED]I have been in one car crash where the air bag went off in my face (Gen 1 style), bloody nose and bruises. I was wearing glasses when it happened and the polycarbonate lenses simply popped out of the frame, didn't even crack. If you are wearing heavy glass lenses, you might want to consider polycarbonate ones as they are much lighter and take a serious amount of abuse (hard coat against scratches is highly recommended!).
With the vinyl cover split... a bit, the air bag will still work fine, but eventually the bag will just "dangle" out of the cracks after it splits from side to side and creates a "flap"... then it is of no use and in your way. I would suggest getting a used replacement from the junk yard that is not cracked. The removal of the old and installation of the new is quite easy and safe. Let me know if you decide to do this and I'll pass on the procedure to you.
jorrell
--
92 245 278K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!
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posted by
Owned by Velma
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Fri Jul 3 10:25 CST 2009
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last visit: Sat Nov 21 18:37 CST 2009[RELATED]Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for a boneyard donor (now that I finally found a pick yer part place in the same state).
The cover isn't that bad, I didn't even notice the splits until about a month after I got it, but now that I know this I'll stop pickin' at it!
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posted by weather on Wed Jul 1 18:39 CST 2009
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last visit: Sat Nov 21 16:30 CST 2009[RELATED]the response i got from volvo america regarding the airbag in my 91 240, names masked:
$$$$ (me),
Thank you for contacting Volvo Cars of North America.
We apologize, but there are no diagnostics available for air bags and/or specific recommendation for replacement.
Drive Safely,
$$$$ (the volvo girl)
Volvo Cars of North America
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