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Hi, I would like to know whether there is any method to check the airbag condition and whether we need to kind of refill the gas cartrige at times. I know the " Go crash your car " method of checking guys, I wanna know something without the crash part.
Dr.jones

The only test that can tell you whether the airbag is working fine is the "Blowing It Up" test. The gas cartridge in an airbag is a one time use only device. It cannot be refilled. Also the airbag itself once deployed cannot be re-used.

Even I am keen to know how to check if the airbags in the car are working fine apart from blowing them up. I know about the light in the dash, but I think there must be other ways.

Here's the back ground for my interest on the topic
I heard (may be a rumor) that once a car was sent to the dealer after a minor accident where the airbags got deployed. The dealer repaired the whole thing and in the process hasn't replaced air bags. Instead he "adjusted" the wiring so that the sensor thinks that the air bag system is working fine. Next time the car meets with an accident air bags do not deploy. Luckly the owner survived and insurance team found that the airbags were not replaced after the first accident. The whole thing is hushed up by the dealer with his local power and money.

Now can any one tell if such a thing is possible i.e. fool the sensor that air bag system is ok, with out bags being installed?please:

It is possible. You just have short out the two wires coming out of the airbag sensor and it will think that the airbags are present.

Note: If you try this on a "LIVE" airbag then you stand the risk of blowing it up.

Hey, do you happen to know which car and dealer? :Shockked:
MUST name them in such cases!

Found some interesting information
Airbag Service Resource | Airbag Replacement FAQ ? Airbag Solutions

Correct me if im wrong, but i dont know of any airbags that use a "gas cartridge".

Its actually a chemical reaction (explosion) thats probably triggered by an electrical charge.

cya
R

A bit OT :
YouTube - Air bag explosion

The vehicle is Pajero.

As i said earlier, this is told to me by a person whom i haven't taken seriously. I will go back to the person who told me this to confirm all the details before i post other details. (Don't want to spread any rumors)

It is a gas cartridge. Carbon Dioxide. :)

Can we all have the source to this information. If it is CO2, then God help you.

You are right about the chemical reaction, but not by electrical charge, but be using high current to heat a resistance, and use heat as the catalyst.

Umm, no, it isn't CO2. In chemical reaction based airbags, it is primarily N2. There exists compressed N2/Argon based technologies also. Propellants are complex and involve multiple stages of reactions to make sure no COx or NOx is generated. Ignition is by an electric match (conductor wrapped with some sort of fast burning material) which in turn activates the propellant which generates the gas that fills the airbag. The whole process of deployment and inflation is over in 0.05 seconds (compared to the blink of an eye - 0.2 seconds).

Sorry, there! That would be Nitrogen or other inert gases, but not carbon dioxide!

Moditech Rescue Solutions BV

Seems, after a google, that most modern cars are using a chemical mix to 'explode' and produce Nitrogen.

Also: Servicing - Airbags

Standard airbag installations are usually good for atleast 10 years from leaving the factory. Of course, it isn't idiot proof and someone determined could mess around with the sensors. As long as your choice of service center is trust worthy, you have nothing to worry about.

One more thing i just remembered. On the Swift when the Tech2 scanner is connected there is a function to Airbag diagnostics. This will tell you whether everything is OK or not. I am sure there must be something similar for all cars equipped with airbags.

Edit: I see that you drive an SX4. I am sure the scanner for the SX4 will have a similar function. But not every service centre has a scanner for the SX4 yet. Sadly the Tech2 does not work with the SX4. There is a different scanner for it.

It's actually a chemical reaction.

Air bags are actually inflated by the equivalent of a solid rocket booster. Sodium azide (NaN3) and potassium nitrate (KNO3) react very quickly to produce a large pulse of hot nitrogen gas. This gas inflates the bag, which literally bursts out of the steering wheel or dashboard as it expands. About a second later, the bag is already deflating (it has holes in it) in order to get out of your way.

HowStuffWorks "Airbag Inflation"

Found some more relevant material about airbag checks. Please take a look:
Howstuffworks