$2900 for a new Airbag hardness module?
 

Hi all. Really sorry for the double post but I need to make a decision right away. Here's my issue:
I've had my Z for a bit over a month. I found that after a couple weeks I started getting the flashing airbag on my dash. I put it in diagnostic mode, which, according to the post on this board, means "Front Passenger Airbag Module". I took it back to the VW dealership where I bought it, and they sent it to a Nissan dealership to have it checked out. They came back saying it's a fault in the passenger airbag harness module, and that it's gonna cost $2900 (CAD) to fix. The dealership said they could sell me a 2 year extended warranty that would cover it for a little less. Like, very slightly less. I might be able to just get a one year for 2 grand, but either way, this is a ton of money.

I have to get back to them shortly but I'm torn because on one hand, the Nissan dealership could just be screwing me (hard), but on the other hand, I don't think anyone else than a dealership will do this kind of work. Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks so much!

Well its all up to you, maybe some one is selling a used one and have a tech instal it.

Maybe the connections have came of, go under the glove box and push all wiring in properly. Or take it to a regular shop to look 4 u, and if its defective just buy one from nissan parts whearhouse and have the shop instal it.

If it's the passenger airbag light flashing you could just desolder the LED.

If it's the instrument panel light ... a piece of electrical tape maybe? :ugh:

That is only if you acknowledge and accept the dangers of driving the vehicle with the passenger airbag module malfunctioning (who cares if you never have passengers).

I used a piece of static cling plastic that I cut from a sheet that came on some piece of equipment I bought to hide the headlights-on-bright indicator. A black marker made it opaque. Peels off without leaving any residue.

The first thing to do is verify the diagnosis. It may be something as simple as an unplugged connector. If you can't DIY (diag procedures, wiring diagrams, &c are in FSM), take it to another mechanic.

Well, I talked to the Nissan dealership, and they said that there was a screw loose behind the glove box and it looks like someone was in there and somehow tore the airbag harness.

Which most likely was me. I followed a guide on this forum a couple weeks ago. Took out the 8 screws, removed the glove box, and took a look to see if the previous owner had put in a cabin air filter, then put the glove box back in. God knows how or if I "tore the harness", but I guess that's that. Yuck.

Sounds like bs, show me the damage

Warranty?
 

Air bags should be warranted for a very long time. Just suggesting. Do some serious looking before accepting the diagnosis.

Just had another look. Took out the glove box and I don't see anything I could have possibly damaged. Does anybody know exactly where this harness is located?

I had forgotten how it looked in there, but now that I've looked again, I agree with Joey O. Definitely sounds like BS.

The FSM knows.

I have quite possibly the same issue. Dash airbag light is always flashing, can't clear it. Passenger airbag light is always on.

I'd have to see what your dealer reported the issue is exactly. The air bag module is somewhere behind the passenger seat from my understanding (although I thought that's where the fuel pump is) I haven't actually gotten around to having mine fixed. There is a place in Miami you can ship your module to and they will fix for around $650.

Your passenger airbag will NOT deploy right now.

I'll try to find the paperwork I have and i'll circle back to this thread. (or Pm me if I forget).

Mine's the harness, apparently behind the glove box, not behind the seat, since they said that taking out the glove box damaged it.

SouthArk, who or what is FSM?

Thanks

Factory Service Manual. See link in my sig.

Well, I took another look today, after looking at the service manual. There's no damage to the harness whatsoever, that I can see, and there's really no way I could have damaged it by taking out the glove box and removing the back panel, unless I was really being creative. So yeah, that's a load of BS.

I'm going to take it in on my new warranty, but I want to make sure the place they send it to doesn't give me the same story, and say that because there's a screw missing in the glove box panel, that I must have buggered it up. Unfortunately now I'm having the issue of not being able to find the stupid screw. I've checked three different hardware stores and nobody seems to have it. Would I have to order them specially from Nissan? Has anyone had to deal with this?

Thanks

http://i.imgur.com/dut38R2.jpg