!!IMPORTANT!! All Bonneville OWNERS READ (56k warning)
 

Alrighty. Let's start off with some pictures:
http://home.earthlink.net/~adamade/images/bside.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~adamade/images/bfront.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~adamade/images/bright.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~adamade/images/wheel.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~adamade/images/passenger.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~adamade/images/dash.jpg

All of these pictures were taken at the same time. In that case, something does not add up, does it?

My friend and I were in the Bonneville after getting soaked at Summerfest. I was at a stop sign about to get on the ramp to I-43 and suddenly the airbags went off. That's right, no collision. They just went off then and there. It was a tad freaky but the next day my dad figured out why.

When I was in Michigan a few weeks ago I first noticed that the floor by the backseat would get a little wet after it rained. I did not think much of it and figured I would take a look at it next time it was in the air and see if I could patch it up. Well I forgot about it and on Saturday it rained A LOT. The back floor was a puddle by the time we were leaving summerfest. Well it turns out that the module for the airbags is located under the passenger seat or in that general area. All this time it was getting wet and corroding. In other words, remember this:

Your airbags CAN go off without a collision. It happened to me in my Bonneville and we found a few complaints online of the same thing happening to other Bonneville owners. I'm just incredibly thankful that I was not on the highway when it happened. This could have been so much worse. Just thought I should give you guys some warning.

Oh by the way, here is what I get to drive for the time being:

http://home.earthlink.net/~adamade/images/aurora.jpg

Mommy's Aurora. :) Yeah, I have it rough around here.

thanks for the input man, appreciate it.

Thanks for the info.

Geez... Are all models airbag equipement located there? Almost glad I only have the drivers airbag, and it won't trash my windshield if it goes off. I'm usually alone but still...
Glad to hear you're ok, they can hurt.

Are you okay?

makes me wonder about how corroded mine was when i had the carpet out. how universal are those things? would one out of a 92 ssei work in my 95 ssei? theres one at the junker here...

*edit* also, was your airbag light on before it happend? cuz mine has been on forever, i think i might try cleaning the contacts before replacing the unit

Ouch!!! No one was hurt? That'd be one hell of a surprise.
Interesting you were at Summerfest. I was only about 15 minutes away in Stillwater, MN.
So what are the plans for the SSE now? Did you have full coverage insurance on it?
If you are going to fix it be sure to go to www.car-part.com to save some big $$$. I bet you can have the bags shipped to you for under $100 for the pair. You can get a non-HUD windshield and it will show the HUD, but it will only be about 90-95% of a HUD windshield, but only you will notice the difference (average person won't notice it as it reflects of both the inner and outer layer of glass and a HUD glass has a film that is on the inside of the WS that doesn't allow it to reflect off the glass, but rather off of itself.
And if you find a part and buy it anywhere near me I can save you some shipping costs and deliver them if you want to meet me somewhere along my route on my way to or from Iola, WI this Thursday, or Saturday (or at Iola anytime between).

Anyhow, I hope your luck takes a turn for the better, and a big thanks on the reminder for checking the SIR module (had seen it before, but luckily I have never had -at least I haven't noticed any moisture on the carpet out of the ordinary).

Harofreak, I would get your ride checked out NOW. My airbag light came on earlier that day and I kinda freaked out and leaned to the side so I wouldn't get hit (LoL). I called my dad and he said it just meant there was something wrong with the system and that is wasn't really anything to worry about. As you can tell, it was. I would be cautious if I was you.

Yeah I'm fine. I just had the airbag burn on my left arm. It was light purple when it happened but now it is just a little red mark. Nothing too serious, arm was just a tad sore. Roadside Assistance had holiday hours since it was July 4 (around midnight) so I said "screw it" and drove it home. I did not wanna sit in Milwaukee all night. Thanks for asking.

OlBlueEyes, thanks for the info and the offers. The Bonneville has already been driven over to the body shop for the windshield but the guy is not doing it until tomorrow morning. I'll talk to my dad tonight about all of this. He is already looking around for the airbags and other parts.

Thanks to everyone. I appreciate all of the help.

Re: !!IMPORTANT!! All Bonneville OWNERS READ (56k warning)
 

First of all, I'm glad that no one was hurt.

I'm curious though to find out what year they started putting the airbag module under the seat. My 93 does not have any modules under any seat.

Glad you are alright.... thanks for the info. :D

Re: !!IMPORTANT!! All Bonneville OWNERS READ (56k warning)
 

I believe they started using 3 modules (core support, dash, and under seat) in 95 or 96.

I know first hand experience what that airbag feels like and I didnt have the 2nd generation. Nothing great about it at all, but it is a life saver.

That is the most bizarre thing I have ever heard :shock:

Its been said, but at least your ok.... :o How is that going to be paid for? I mean does GM cover that or insurance or what?

:?

When it first happend I figured GM would have to pay. But now that we have figured out the problem, they might not considering the warning light was on for awhile and the floor was wet. We are going to see if insurance will cover it, though. Just doing everything one step at a time.

regardless, the car should NOT have a waterleak, period... GM's own stupid fault

In Minnesota/Wisconson, you're lucky if your car don't leak. Road salt all winter does wonders on vehicles up here.

Let me add, though, my "Glad everyone is OK" and thanks for pointing out one more thing to keep an eye out for.

How is GM supposed to be liable for this or pay. It's out of warranty, and it's not part of any recall.

make a car that can make it to its 10th bithday without rust/leaks/water damage

Guys, guys....have you ever read an airbag safety manual?? They all have the possibility of going off without warning, no matter where the module is located, or what make or model you have. That's why it says to never hold your hand or any object between you and the airbag.

This is true. and not to sit up close to them. I feel sorry for short drivers and they have to scoot the seat all the way up.

What bonneville do you know that dont have a leak?

Umm...so how do you drive?

Heheh...sometimes I drive with one hand and hold my coffee in the other in front of me. I like to live dangerously... :roll:

cell phone in one hand and coffee in the other, maybe? :oops:

(note: I don't do this :biggrinangel: )

Yeah a girl driving without a cell phone, is lke a girl knowing how to drive :wink:

just kidding jeanie!

Girls.. :roll:

LMAO :lol: ...as if you guys really can be driving that well as you are staring at the girls driving talking on their cells... :roll: :P

I know I'm just taking this further off subject...but I saw a girl turning off of my street yesterday driving a Mercedes, talking on her cell phone, and smoking a cigarette. I'm not sure how she made the corner :shock:...and if her airbags had gone off for some reason...like maybe she hit something because she was doing everything but paying attention, she'd have been in a serious mess...

Nothing quite like having a cigarette shoved into your face through your cell phone by a rapidly deploying airbag....

girls... :roll:

Mine doesn't leak anywhere....

Actually, neither does mine...

U two are lucky. Both of mine has. :evil: I had a cut in my air bag cover. I thought about taking a peak to see if the airbag was still in there but didnt want to set anything off.

KABOOM :lol: :lol:

Perhaps it is you that is unlucky?? :P