I have a ford focus with a single knee airbag reset from a minor wildlife hit. I've replaced the knee airbag but will need to reset the airbag module. What do companies like safetyrestore.com or myairbags.com do that are any different from a mid range scanner with SRS reset abilities? I was going to purchase an Xtool D7 or Launch X431 to reset the airbag module but then though maybe those companies are doing something hardware related that the scanners cannot do.
Airbag reset scanner vs airbag module reset companies
- Thread starter s14kev
- Start date
Let me start off by saying I don't know what is required specifically for your vehicle. What I can say from personal experience is I had to replace six airbags and three seat belts that were set off by a front driveshaft failure on my wife's Mercedes E350. I was quite surprised that nothing needed to be done to the airbag control module other than resetting the SRS light with my Autel scanner. Had always understood that it was a very complicated process, even a friend who is a highly regarded Mercedes INDY didn't know if he would be able to reset the module with his professional level scan tools. I actually called one of the "reset" companies directly (unfortunately don't recall which one) and they basically told me they don't do anything to the Mercedes module other than resetting the code that triggers the warning light and that I could do it myself with a scanner that supports SRS reset. Quite an eye opener. Again, not sure if that's the case with your vehicle but I did it myself with just an OBDII scanner on my wife's vehicle. Good luck.
ETA, forgot that I also needed to recalibrate front passenger seat before the error codes could be reset. That process was also supported by my scan tool (Autel 808P). The nine errors for deployed airbags reset after installing new (actually used) ones that were functional. Process was replace the deployed airbags/seat belts, recalibrate passenger seat, reset SRS warning light.
ETA, forgot that I also needed to recalibrate front passenger seat before the error codes could be reset. That process was also supported by my scan tool (Autel 808P). The nine errors for deployed airbags reset after installing new (actually used) ones that were functional. Process was replace the deployed airbags/seat belts, recalibrate passenger seat, reset SRS warning light.
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It depends on what is actually stored in the module and type of impact and what parts of the SRS actually went off to what has to be done.
If the impact and event are severe enough it will actually store the event in the module and "lock" the module so that it can't be easily erased. What the companies are doing is basically restoring the original module with a template from a virgin one. This is most of the time done at a chip level by taking the module apart and reading and writing directly at the EEPROM.
If the impact and event are severe enough it will actually store the event in the module and "lock" the module so that it can't be easily erased. What the companies are doing is basically restoring the original module with a template from a virgin one. This is most of the time done at a chip level by taking the module apart and reading and writing directly at the EEPROM.
If you're working on a Ford I'd skip the generic tools and just buy a dongle & license for FORScan.
You won't find a cheaper and more comprehensive way to work on Fords.
IIRC there is no way to reset the airbag module using any protocols over OBD2. As someone pointed out above I do believe you'll need to actually touch the EEPROM. I believe in Europe you can do this with a scan tool but US models do not permit this.
You won't find a cheaper and more comprehensive way to work on Fords.
IIRC there is no way to reset the airbag module using any protocols over OBD2. As someone pointed out above I do believe you'll need to actually touch the EEPROM. I believe in Europe you can do this with a scan tool but US models do not permit this.
I want an idiot light to tell me a scumbag put the car back together w/o replacing it, yes.
For Christ sakes that isnt what i meant. If the air bag deployed and your where in it , wouldnt you know. If i was a scumbag that put it back together without the bag, wouldnt you think I would have disconnected the light also.
