A-Pillar airbags and cabling

[Mayhem Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mayhem]

While checking out the Outback drawer system the other day I noticed they also sell a very neat roof console. It can fit a couple of radios etc and would be a great place for a scanguage.

The obvious, and probably the only, way to run the cables from under the dash is up through the A Pillars where there is a clearly marked label - SRS Curtain Airbag.

Has anyone removed the A Pillar cover off a recent airbag equipped car to see what's underneath - or even better - worked out if its safe to run cables up that direction?

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

Hmm the cable run might be ok but if the shelf interferes with the side airbag operation.... :shock:
Don't want bits of shelf flying at you when the airbag goes off.

The manufactuor should be able to tell if they are compatible or not. I would say not for side airbags but you never know till you ask!

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

Right then after looking at the website (which i should have done first ops: ) I guess there is no problem with the airbags going off.

Just be carefull where you run the cables. There is a harness there already that you might be able to tie into to keep it a bit safer.

n.b. to self check info before typing :?

[Mayhem Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mayhem]

Thanks Strahan - airbags make me nervous and I had presumed that the actual bag and charge must be stored under the cover of the A Pillar. From what you say that this isn't the case and so long as I am careful there shouldn't be a problem.

[Chuck Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chuck]

Have been wondering about this does any one have a photo with the cover off?

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

The charge to fire the airbag is behind the A pillar.

When the computer deceides to fire the airbag the signal is sent to the charge which then makes lots of nitrogen (i think- because its inert).

This makes the bag expand very quickly and then it deflates through some holes in the back of it.

Since the console is in the middle of the car its location will not effect the operation of the bag itself.

Pulling off those a pillar covers is not a big job but there are lots of little clips and whatnots holding bits of the airbag system.

So if in doubt get someone who knows what they are doing to fit the cabling for you.

[Mayhem Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mayhem]

Sounds like the roof console is going to be a possible project. There should be adequate 12v lines already in the roof lining from the map and centre lights so I'll only need to run the aerial cable for the radio/s and the scanguage cable up the pillars.

It'll be a few weeks before I get around to this (the snow is falling and there is skiing to be done) but that will give me a little more time to do some more research on the Toyota airbags. One of the key things seems to be disconnecting the battery and waiting for about an hour before going anywhere near an airbag charge.

If anyone does have pictures of the inside of the A Pillar that would be very handy. Don't want any of these things going off in my face. A couple of vids attached for those who think airbags are soft and fluffy. The second airbag video has to be a setup but its very funny.

http://bestfirefightervideo.com/comp...rectlink/id,7/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-ogrMr4lWc

[halojump Member Find all posts View Profile Close halojump]

I have removed the A pillar (ie. Just to the right front of the driver) cover; underneath, it has two 'channels' the one closest to the driver has the curtain airbag (rolled up) and the forward one contains some cabling (and if memory serves me the tube for the rear washer).

Just be certain that any cabling you run will not foul the airbag when it wants to unfurl. I have run 12V ACC cabling for an auto dimming mirror and just used cable ties to keep it in line with the existing stuff.

The cover itself comes off easily, with the two bolts being under the grab handle (remove the caps in the handle).

As a tip, I used some of that plastic coated wire that is used to hang curtains with to route the wiring to the centre of the roof, very handy stuff.

[waltec Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close waltec]

I had to remove my A pillar covers the other day to install my mobile phone car kit, so I whipped out the mobile and took some crappy pics (not to be confused with Chippy pics!!!). As you can see from the photos the airbags only take up half the space, the other half has trhe factory cables and a clear PVC pipe, I think this is the drain from the sunroof. There are plastic clip holding the cables in place, either run your cable through these clips or cable tie yours to the factory cables, this will stop the cables from fouling the Airbags.

Passenger Side



Drivers side



Matt

[Chuck Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chuck]

Thanks for the pics Matt, now I feel a lot more confident to remove mine.


Chuck

[waltec Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close waltec]

Hi Chuck

I also downloaded the handsfree kit install manual from the Toyota Europe website, apparently legally they have to make them available to the public. Has a very good step by step guide to this.

Matt

[BARRLIND Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close BARRLIND]

Hi Mayhem

I would be running the power for the radio all the way back to the battery after reading about the guy with the new LC 200 setting of all his airbags due to picking power up in the wrong spot.

[McBAIN Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close McBAIN]

this may also help but when i put the microphone in for my stereo handsfree thing i just pulled out the rubber seal and ran the wire up throug that space without needing to remove the pillar cover..

[PradOz Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close PradOz]

Hi Chuck

I also downloaded the handsfree kit install manual from the Toyota Europe website, apparently legally they have to make them available to the public. Has a very good step by step guide to this.

Matt

thats a really great site - thanks

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

What do you mean by that space?

The air bag deploys by bursting open the roof lining where it meets the rubber
door sealing strip. Any cable inserted for instance where the gap is shown in the above
picture or even under the rubber strip itself could interfer with the airbag deployment and
should not be installed in this area.

Cheers
LeighW