Xantia Airbag Squib (steering wheel)

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NAM
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Xantia Airbag Squib (steering wheel)

Post by NAM »

I seem to have been on the Airbag Warning Light topic for far too long but now wires under the seats are soldered and still it keeps flashing :(

My auto electric chap tells me the the code says Squib and it is almost certainly something to do with the steering wheel.

Not sure how much they cost from main dealer so now looking for a second hand one - any views on my best approach? I am determined to crack this flashing light.

Does anyone know the best place to look for a second hand or better still have one which they know is in good working order?
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Post by AndersDK »

Hi Nigel.

I'm pretty sure it wont be the airbag unit itself at failure.
The common problem is a defective connection from the unit.
Either by a worn slide contacts or by a torn ribbon cable.

Remove the battery Earth connection, then go ahead removing the a/b unit.
Its held by a couple of TX head screws from underside the steering wheel.
Then you can remove the centernut holding the steering wheel.

There is no need to fear the a/b unit will blow up your face, unless you do something stupid, like connecting 12V & earth to the electric connector.

The reason you get the failure lamp set, is that the control unit constantly monitors the connection to each a/b unit.
Whenever the cable resistance exceeds some 3 ohms, the failure lamp is set.
This is because the hi ohmic connection MAY not supply adequate amperage to ignite the unit, if the Unthinkable happens.
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Post by spider »

There are usually some on Ebay but its a bit of a risk really if they are suitable or indeed safe to use in my opinion, so not really sure what to suggest.

What is the actual fault error being displayed ? , are you sure its not the clock spring at fault ?
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Post by Chlorate »

The squib for the airbag is a little pyrotechnic device that inflates the bag in the event of a crash.

Hard to tell if pyrotechnics are still in good working order without actually setting them off. At which point they're now broken :D

It really depends on your feelings about second-hand bits of life saving kit.

Stealership parts are almost certain to work but will probably cost an arm and a leg.
Ebay parts probably won't be guaranteed, but will probably still work. Would be best to contact the seller to see if they came off a car where this warning light wasn't showing etc.
Scrap heap parts are almost certainly not guaranteed, but probably dirt cheap, you could probably rip out a handful and see if any of them turn the warning off.

Although I'm not sure if you'll need a Lexia to clear the fault code (and you probably will I'm guessing, someone confirm this?)

Personally I'd go to ebay and look for a car that was being broken and contact the seller asking if there were any warning lights on the dash.

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Post by xantia_v6 »

It is almost certainly the "rotary switch" which connects the airbag from the steering wheel. These are £125 from Citroen (but be quick as there are only about 2 left in the UK, and they aren't making any more.

From a breaker, they can be obtained for £10-20, but may also be faulty (and you need to be careful not to strain the ribbon when moving it to your car).
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Post by NAM »

Thanks all for replies. I will look to see if I can obtain a rotary switch from a good source but failing that will contact Citroen and see what they are asking -and if they have any left of course!

I guess £125 for saving your life is not too bad! :)

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Post by Xaccers »

Nigel, is he definitely using a Lexia to check the error?
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Post by mongoose100 »

If it helps, I pulled the bags out of my parts car the other day, were in good order, no lights flashing etc...

Was gonna have some fun with them but happy to freight at your expense if you get desperate
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Post by Chlorate »

I've always wanted to hollow out a cream cake and put a car airbag in the middle and set it off when people are standing around it.
:lol:

Perhaps a little too unrelated. :D
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Post by mongoose100 »

Chlorate wrote:I've always wanted to hollow out a cream cake and put a car airbag in the middle and set it off when people are standing around it.
:lol:

Perhaps a little too unrelated. :D
Hollowed out pumpkins etc are always a fav of mine 8-)
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Post by AndersDK »

Chlorate wrote:I've always wanted to hollow out a cream cake and put a car airbag in the middle and set it off when people are standing around it.
:lol:
Seriously - NOT :o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S1CZ08w4H4
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Post by NAM »

Amazing - how did he survive? Hope they did a risk assessment. :lol:
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