wng

Just curious if anyone knows if airbags (front or side) work once you turn off your car. Hypothetical situation: you pull to the side of the road (flat tire, etc.), turn off your car, and then a car slams into you. I would suspect that the sensors wouldn't be powered until the engine is started, but that's just my guess.

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2000 Satin Silver TL

Acura3200

not a bad question. I'm curious as to the answer now too.

adamyankee

I am pretty sure they will. I do know the static charge from your finger can set it off when unmounted from the car. It is not powered by the battery, but by a motion switch.



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mr tl

what do you mean its not powered by the battery? if you take out the battery, not a single thing will work, other than the hinges on the center arm rest

the sensor detects a drastic decrease in speed. your going 100, within 2 seconds your at 1mph, air bags go off
thats ONE of the sensors, there could possibly be more

id say as long as the battery is there, the airbags will deploy

adamyankee

I apologize for my unclear response, Mr TL.

The Human Body produces more than enough of an electrical charge to deploy an airbag.

So yes, it won't work in the car without the battery because you can't touch it's "trigger" while it's mounted in the steering wheel or whatever. That's where you need the battery.



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Shoofin

I dont think they will work.
Ed

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Acura-TL.com - Forum Moderator

'99 TL Satin Silver/Ebony, Non/Nav, Comptech lowered, Comptech Air Filter Element, Inspire Tails, AEM Brake Pads all around, Comptech Axle Back Exhaust, "Guy Smiley" doll on the dash as my Co-driver...

Pics of my TL
Pics of my Miata! Wadya think?

Nate

Alright, whos first to try?

bebber

The Airbags are sensitive components. Their deployment is computer controlled and will only occur while the car is switched on and moving; yes electrical power is needed.

However, it is a chemical reaction that causes the discharge of the airbags which is initiated by the electrodes. This means that you shouldn't mess around with the bags unless you like playing with explosives.


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'01 TL with Navi
Naples Gold Metallic
Everything is stock for the moment
except for a big plush teddy bear in the back seat.

adamyankee

Nats says
Prince Mir could volunteer.

Nate

You what'd be fun? Hot potato with a live airbag! Woohoo!

Edward'TLS

There is usually a big energy storing component, such as a big valued capacitor, inside the air bags for firing the explosive charge. It can hold the charge for quite a while after the ignition key is turned off. So the safest thing to do is to plug in the shorting connector on the air bags before doing anything funny to them.