JCHARLESW

Hello all,

Is there anyway to determine from a visual or mechanical inspection if the passenger side airbag has been deployed? Car in question is a 2002 Z06.

I read a post from someone here that had stated he had a used Z06 inspected by a used car appraiser and that this person noticed some signs pointing towards possible airbag deployment.

I have looked at several phots of C5 dashes, and some show the airbag door squarely aligned in the dash, others show it slighly depressed along the righthand side near the door. From a 3D point of view, the airbag door looks to be sunk into the dash on one side. I cannot make heads or tails of this issue? Unfortunately not knowing the complete history of my car has turned me into a wannabe detective. Perhaps it's paranoia

Also, when an airbag does deploy, would the interior be damaged as airbags are packed in powder to prevent them from sticking together?

Please weigh in if you have any insight.

Thank you.

FourG63 97GST

If the job was well done, you really cant.
The C5 dash is so easy to remove an reinstall, so finding bolts not but back in place can be slim, If it was recently deploys, u may smell the powder, but no, powder doesn't go everywhere. and the smell is really strong nothing a good cleaning cant fix. also the airbag module is also replaced so u may not find any codes either.

JCHARLESW

What does it smell like?

Millenium Z06

Airbags are packed with a white talcum like powder so that they unfold properly in deployed. They are usually propelled sodium azide (NaN3) with potassium nitrate (KNO3) to produce nitrogen gas. Hot blasts of the nitrogen inflate the airbag and thats what you smell. Usually dissipates pretty quick.

Diamond

Check and see if the windshield has been replaced. Passenger side deployment will take the windshield out. Look at the urethane closely, also the numbers and brand of windshield. On all Toyotas, Hondas, and many other makes and models the seatbelts also lock-up. New belts must be installed. Check your seatbelt bolts to see if an impact wrench has been on them. Not sure about the Corvette, never done one of them for airbags. I dont believe the dash must come out for the Corvette, 4 bolts and a connector.

CJR2

Sometimes you have to get on your hands and knees to see

JCHARLESW

Turns out mine has been deployed, and I am now working to reach an agreement with the dealer to allow me to return the car.

Wish me luck.

Novat_99

Good luck with your negotiations...

bobby777

the car will never get rid of the rotten odor--more like shi- smell--return the wreck

TEXHAWK0

Do you want to know if the car has a functioning air bag, or just if it has deployed and been replaced?
If the system is functioning, you should see a light on the dash when you turn the key on.
Since air bags are so expensive, I have read about scams where repair shops will remove the air bag or not replace it and collect the insurance money. Then someone has a wreck in a car they thought was protected with an air bag, but the bag is gone and the person gets killed or more seriously injured.
Many times the shop will put in a used airbag, or just pack the compartment with paper or other material. It is common for them to also disconnect the system light, so there is no warning that the system is not working when you start the car.
Bad news and worth checking if the car has been repaired.

RichS

Pass bag doesn't take out the windshield on a C5. The dash has to come out for the Pass bag.

94-vette

To the OP you didn't run a carfax on the car before buying? If the carfax ran clean, and the car has a deployed bag,they will buy it from you.Just like the add says never buy a used car without a carfax.

CJR2

Granny crashed my Z but swears the passenger side airbag didn't deploy

JCHARLESW

Carfax and Autocheck are CLEAN, and the car HAS been in an accident. IMHO, both of these services do very little other than track ownership transfers.

My daily driver that I have owned since new has been in an accident (several months ago) and it also has a clean report.

I am going to try the CF buyback program just to see what happens.

I got a very good price for the Z I bought, as I pushed the accident issue hard with the dealer. To the untrained eye, it's looks very clean, i.e., the repair was good...

JCHARLESW

Here is the car in question. 8K miles, 2002, QS/Mod Red, all stock. Frontend accident with something...

jmoody66

The pic makes it apparent...the fender and door do not match very well.

94-vette

Did you fix the damage out of pocket?Or did the ins company get involved? I hit a dog in my 94 and they had to respray the hood and it turned up on the carfax.

JCHARLESW

Insurance all the way.

I have learned a lot in the last few weeks thru this experience. Carfax is just a starting tool, and little else.

Novat_99

...2 totally different colors in that picture

vms4evr

I recently had my 02 QS Z06 totaled. On the interstate. Whole real axle assembly on tractor trailer let go. Got hit by the complete dual wheel unit (wheels/tires.hub). Right on passenger side front fender. Took out the whole front suspension, frame, quarter, hood, nose. The windshield was intact. Car is written off.

Both air bags deployed. Windshield never broke. Not even close. Drivers side air bag did not hit me. I had the seat all the way back and tilted. Air bag just missed my face. The deployment will scare the crap out of you alone. The passenger side air bag deployment twists the "oh ****" grab handle up good. The steering wheel center section is gone. All of it has to be replaced. You would have to figure out if the dashboard was newer or not. They are fairly easily replaced.

I also agree with what someone said. Based on that picture. either the angle you took it at causes it. The paint looks mismatched. IT should have been fresh painted in that section and then blended. Any good shop makes it blend to existing paint based on age and fade etc.

Update:
The bags are loaded with some type of talc. That **** is nasty. I had the taste in my mouth for 3 days after the accident. And the whole car gets smokey and you can't see where you are going. My car was still sliding when the air bags deployed and I was counter steering blind. You could smell it 2 weeks later even with the windows left open in the car.

Good luck returning it.
Graham