Air bag deployment

timo4563 · 10-04-2008, 11:30 PM

I was involved in a 4 car accident on the freeway the other night. The car in front of me hit his brakes hard and hit the car ahead, I was able to avoid him by going to the right lane, off ramp lane, but he spun car #1 right in front of me, I tagged the gard rail then t-boned the honda sedan. Was going 35-50 mph just before I hit the brakes. Wiped out the right side and the front end, the wheels both going in different directions! Two broken ribs for me, Bruses for my wife, both really sore but Thank God we are both OK.
Now the question of the day--- Why no airbag deployement! A little strange to me! Is that normal and if so why have them? Or is saturn buying me a new RL??
Have a great day!

**WVSooner** · 10-04-2008, 11:51 PM

It's unclear from your description exactly what happened. Between the braking and hitting the guard rail, you may have dissipated enough energy that you were below the bag's deployment threshold. Or it may have been more of a lateral rather than longitudinal strike. Or you may have a bad sensor, or clockspring (a very common airbag defect), or one of dozens of other things.

**EndiSky** · 10-05-2008, 12:00 AM

After talking to you earlier and reading this thread, I am wondering why no airbag deployment. We had a thread earlier in the week about another Sky that hit RIGHT in the middle and the reasoning for no airbag deployment was because the sensors are on the right and left sides thus used for when the occupant would be in danger. With broken ribs, I am assuming the damage was done to where the sensors are placed. Not to be grim, but please post pix of where the damage to the vehicle was if you have pictures. Best to you and your wife.

P.S. check your email

MidniteBlues · 10-05-2008, 12:20 AM

This is now starting to look worrisome I would say. This no air bag deployment with Sky's are starting to look like not a good thing. Other than the fact that one last week, this post from this gent & his wife, and the other one being sold on ebay with also a front end hit that the bag didn't deploy.. and then another handful over the last couple of years, What is going on here?

Glad you and your wife did not get seriously hurt. (Altho it sounds like it's bad enough in my opinion)..
May I ask, did the passenger air bag deploy?

uranium-238 · 10-05-2008, 09:53 AM

My guess is that since the Sky sits so low, the airbag sensors probably tend to go underneath. If that's the case I don't see a fix unless they re-style the car.

Now if someone hit a nice flat wall and the airbags didn't deploy, then I'd be worried.

SkyBaby · 10-05-2008, 03:18 PM

I am very glad you and the Mrs werent MORE seriously injured.. from the sounds of it you were but will be ok... THANK GOD..... I would think the airbags would have went off..and yes.. I am curious if the passenger airbag deployed... You would think even with the Sky sitting low.. as alot of other roadsters do... this would have been ironed out in engineering and production... are there alot of other roadsters that have this issue? If so... I havnt heard of them.. and no, it is not because I am not an owner of the other cars... I do read other forums and this isnt an issue that I see. SkyBaby

timo4563 · 10-05-2008, 04:50 PM

There was heavier damage to the driver side front. the wheel is turned to the left while the other side is straight. Niether air bag deployed.

SkyBaby · 10-05-2008, 04:56 PM

WOW.... I am so sorry that happened... I sure hope they figure out why the airbags DIDNT go off!!!!! That seems odd to me and that so many havnt opened in crashes.... I dont know anything about insurance and what is totalled.. but looks that way to me.. I hope you get another one... and dont have to pay... SkyBaby I hope you heal well. Best Wishes... to you and the Mrs.

**EndiSky** · 10-05-2008, 05:00 PM

I think you need a bigger band aid than I had!!!

SkyBaby · 10-05-2008, 05:05 PM

Oh WOW... nice bandaid... but.. do they come in colors that match the cars? LOL.. or have a cute animal or disney person/thing on them? SkyBaby

gadget · 10-05-2008, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timo4563

I was involved in a 4 car accident on the freeway the other night. The car in front of me hit his brakes hard and hit the car ahead, I was able to avoid him by going to the right lane, off ramp lane, but he spun car #1 right in front of me, I tagged the gard rail then t-boned the honda sedan. Was going 35-50 mph just before I hit the brakes. Wiped out the right side and the front end, the wheels both going in different directions! Two broken ribs for me, Bruses for my wife, both really sore but Thank God we are both OK.
Now the question of the day--- Why no airbag deployement! A little strange to me! Is that normal and if so why have them? Or is saturn buying me a new RL??
Have a great day!

Broken Ribs! Were you wearing the seat belt?

**WVSooner** · 10-05-2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timo4563

There was heavier damage to the driver side front. the wheel is turned to the left while the other side is straight. Niether air bag deployed.

My best educated guess is you are below the deployment threshold - based upon the damage photos.

kudelt07 · 10-06-2008, 10:12 PM

I would agree with WV. Looking at the pictures I can imagine a lot more lateral acceleration than longitudinal. Also, brakes and guard rails can scrub speed in a hurry, you could have easily dipped below the minimum speed for air bag deployment.

WV, what do you mean by clock spring? I spent a few years working with air bags (TRW) and I can't think of anything that resembled a clock spring.

**WVSooner** · 10-06-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kudelt07

I would agree with WV. Looking at the pictures I can imagine a lot more lateral acceleration than longitudinal. Also, brakes and guard rails can scrub speed in a hurry, you could have easily dipped below the minimum speed for air bag deployment.

WV, what do you mean by clock spring? I spent a few years working with air bags (TRW) and I can't think of anything that resembled a clock spring.

The clockspring is a generic term that refers to the airbag wiring harness which allows the wheel to turn lock to lock.

kudelt07 · 10-07-2008, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVSooner

The clockspring is a generic term that refers to the airbag wiring harness which allows the wheel to turn lock to lock.

Good to know.

**T1T2GRE** · 10-08-2008, 11:13 AM

Looks like an offset-type impact. Maybe that's why it didn't deploy

?

Bummer, man. Glad you are both safe. Hopefully the damage can be fixed ASAP. Nice color!

gadget · 10-08-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T1T2GRE

Looks like an offset-type impact. Maybe that's why it didn't deploy

?

Bummer, man. Glad you are both safe. Hopefully the damage can be fixed ASAP. Nice color!

I'm thinkin your right probably mostly from the side probably broke his ribs on the door and by the time it hit in front he was already slowed down enough to keep from triggering the airbag. Either that or theres something with the seatbelts.They have to be fastened and pretensioned for the airbag to operate.

10-04-2008, 11:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
timo4563 First 2000 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: san diego Posts: 27 My Photos: (0)	Air bag deployment I was involved in a 4 car accident on the freeway the other night. The car in front of me hit his brakes hard and hit the car ahead, I was able to avoid him by going to the right lane, off ramp lane, but he spun car #1 right in front of me, I tagged the gard rail then t-boned the honda sedan. Was going 35-50 mph just before I hit the brakes. Wiped out the right side and the front end, the wheels both going in different directions! Two broken ribs for me, Bruses for my wife, both really sore but Thank God we are both OK. Now the question of the day--- Why no airbag deployement! A little strange to me! Is that normal and if so why have them? Or is saturn buying me a new RL?? Have a great day!

10-04-2008, 11:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
WVSooner Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Virginia - but Arkansas and Oklahoma are "home" Posts: 342 My Photos: (0)	It's unclear from your description exactly what happened. Between the braking and hitting the guard rail, you may have dissipated enough energy that you were below the bag's deployment threshold. Or it may have been more of a lateral rather than longitudinal strike. Or you may have a bad sensor, or clockspring (a very common airbag defect), or one of dozens of other things. __________________ 2007 Saturn Sky Redline, chili pepper red / black Tag: OUSOONER Bought: 06/23/07 Named: Sooner Magic on 9/23/07 "Living the Sky life" MySpace Blog

10-05-2008, 12:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
MidniteBlues Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 3,580 My Photos: (0)	This is now starting to look worrisome I would say. This no air bag deployment with Sky's are starting to look like not a good thing. Other than the fact that one last week, this post from this gent & his wife, and the other one being sold on ebay with also a front end hit that the bag didn't deploy.. and then another handful over the last couple of years, What is going on here? Glad you and your wife did not get seriously hurt. (Altho it sounds like it's bad enough in my opinion).. May I ask, did the passenger air bag deploy? __________________ 2.4L Midnight Blue, Premium Trim Package, Automatic, Monsoon Pre Audio 1-CD, Std Rear. GMPP CAI, 3M Clear Bra, Splash Guards, Black Top, Fiam Frwy Blastr 2-horn Opel Ant - WR V2 - Flux Capacitor - Last edited by MidniteBlues : 10-05-2008 at 12:22 AM.

10-05-2008, 09:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
uranium-238 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 525 My Photos: (0)	My guess is that since the Sky sits so low, the airbag sensors probably tend to go underneath. If that's the case I don't see a fix unless they re-style the car. Now if someone hit a nice flat wall and the airbags didn't deploy, then I'd be worried. __________________ Black 2009 Saturn Sky Redline Manual transmission Black leather Monsoon stereo 6-disk CD/MP3 changer Stubby Antenna "Redline" Wind Restrictor Next Mod: JPM Shifter assemlby

10-05-2008, 03:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
SkyBaby First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somewhere In The SKY! Posts: 7,544 My Photos: (13)	I am very glad you and the Mrs werent MORE seriously injured.. from the sounds of it you were but will be ok... THANK GOD..... I would think the airbags would have went off..and yes.. I am curious if the passenger airbag deployed... You would think even with the Sky sitting low.. as alot of other roadsters do... this would have been ironed out in engineering and production... are there alot of other roadsters that have this issue? If so... I havnt heard of them.. and no, it is not because I am not an owner of the other cars... I do read other forums and this isnt an issue that I see. SkyBaby __________________ Whats NOT to Love??? I would much rather stand out in a crowd and be noticed than life just pass me by while I am bitter! www.kappascoasttocoast.com www.kustomkaps.com www.flameball.com

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10-05-2008, 12:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
EndiSky Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 512 My Photos: (0)	After talking to you earlier and reading this thread, I am wondering why no airbag deployment. We had a thread earlier in the week about another Sky that hit RIGHT in the middle and the reasoning for no airbag deployment was because the sensors are on the right and left sides thus used for when the occupant would be in danger. With broken ribs, I am assuming the damage was done to where the sensors are placed. Not to be grim, but please post pix of where the damage to the vehicle was if you have pictures. Best to you and your wife. P.S. check your email

10-05-2008, 04:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
timo4563 First 2000 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: san diego Posts: 27 My Photos: (0)	damage assesment There was heavier damage to the driver side front. the wheel is turned to the left while the other side is straight. Niether air bag deployed. Attached Thumbnails

10-05-2008, 04:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
SkyBaby First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somewhere In The SKY! Posts: 7,544 My Photos: (13)	WOW.... I am so sorry that happened... I sure hope they figure out why the airbags DIDNT go off!!!!! That seems odd to me and that so many havnt opened in crashes.... I dont know anything about insurance and what is totalled.. but looks that way to me.. I hope you get another one... and dont have to pay... SkyBaby I hope you heal well. Best Wishes... to you and the Mrs. __________________ Whats NOT to Love??? I would much rather stand out in a crowd and be noticed than life just pass me by while I am bitter! www.kappascoasttocoast.com www.kustomkaps.com www.flameball.com

10-05-2008, 05:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
EndiSky Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 512 My Photos: (0)	I think you need a bigger band aid than I had!!!

10-05-2008, 05:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
SkyBaby First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somewhere In The SKY! Posts: 7,544 My Photos: (13)	Oh WOW... nice bandaid... but.. do they come in colors that match the cars? LOL.. or have a cute animal or disney person/thing on them? SkyBaby __________________ Whats NOT to Love??? I would much rather stand out in a crowd and be noticed than life just pass me by while I am bitter! www.kappascoasttocoast.com www.kustomkaps.com www.flameball.com

10-06-2008, 10:12 PM	#13 (permalink)
kudelt07 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 50 My Photos: (0)	I would agree with WV. Looking at the pictures I can imagine a lot more lateral acceleration than longitudinal. Also, brakes and guard rails can scrub speed in a hurry, you could have easily dipped below the minimum speed for air bag deployment. WV, what do you mean by clock spring? I spent a few years working with air bags (TRW) and I can't think of anything that resembled a clock spring.

10-08-2008, 11:13 AM	#16 (permalink)
T1T2GRE Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Hummelstown, PA Posts: 37 My Photos: (0)	Impact Type Looks like an offset-type impact. Maybe that's why it didn't deploy ? Bummer, man. Glad you are both safe. Hopefully the damage can be fixed ASAP. Nice color! __________________ "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?" Plato 08 Silver P RL MT 8/21/08 Splash guards 9/17/08 Lil' Chromies 9/27/08 OZ Ultraleggeras 10/2/08 GMPP CAI 10/4/08 Stubby 10/16/08 GMPP Cat-back 10/22/08 DEJON ICP 11/1/08 GM ECM Tune Hell/Freezes/Over

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