Pyrotechnical Tensioners

Pyrotechnic Tensioners are part of the seatbelt system and are activated on impact and apply great force to reduce the belt slack. As the name implies I believe they use a small explosive charge like the airbag would so they can exert force rapidly.

I also believe that you're supposed to have the airbag similarly serviced/checked every 10 years, possibly sooner.

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On 24 Aug 2005 12:41:30 -0700, the illustrious snipped-for-privacy@pipemedia.co.uk favored us with the following prose:

Interesting name for them! Sounds like you get a free firework display if you crash!

The change period has been upped to 15 years. If you know what you are doing changing the pyrotechnic part is surprisingly easy. You need to know what precautions to take when handling explosives as you could get a nasty burn or worse from misuse. You need to unplug the electrical connector with electrics dead. Do not switch on electrics until you have completed the task. Once unplugged the detonator (which is what it is) can be unscrewed from the housing. It is best to arrange for a short circuit to be present across the detonator's pins before removal and during replacement. When safely installed the connector can be refitted to the detonator. When the task has been completed and before replacing the panels and carpet switch on the electrics to make sure that detonation is not triggered. After a successful test you can then replace the carpet and panels.

It is important to keep in mind the fact that if you haven't a clue as to what you are about to embark on take it to the dealer or seatbelt specialist.

All the best, Peter.

This is rather nasty as my wife has a friend who was very badly burnt in the face and arms when the airbag was fired in an accident, as it turned out she suffered far more injury from the airbag than she would from the accident.

Poor women is still suffering after 12 months and has vowed to not use Airbags, but then what happens in an insurance claim?

Regards Ian

What was the year, model, make of the car?

__ __ Randy & \ \/ /alerie's \__/olvos '90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate "Shelby" & "Kate"

Well, as my uncle is fond of saying, an airbag only means the difference between an open or closed coffin.

She is still alive isn't she? That's what the airbag is for, to prevent loss of life.

All the best, Peter.

The gold plated pins inside the orange connectors on all Volvo's are self shorting when unplugged. The charge cylinder and the seat belt reel assembly are one piece and replaced as a unit.

Bob

I can assure you that they are not self shorting. Why else would Volvo go to the trouble of providing a special shorting link for when the steering wheel is removed (for, say, tracking purposes or horn button replacement) and when replacing front seat belts. I have just had six of the seven seat belts fitted to my car replaced and can assure you that the dealer used his special shorting links and disconnected the battery during replacement.

All the best, Peter.

Hi;

I have no idea what the car was, Just that wifes work colleage is still suffering.

I would like to think that todays Airbag have overcome this problem as I have heard several stories of folks being burnt by airbag detenations.

I have a 1995 Airbag in my Volvo 960, so I keep my fingers crossed.

Regards Ian

The components (e.g. airbag) are self shorting, so random static won't set them off. The car harnesses aren't self shorting, and what you call shorting links, are actually component simulators - something to install in the system in place of an airbag for testing purposes. If you're just removing an airbag or seatbelt for another reason, there's no need to use these devices as long as the airbag system is not powered up.

Supposedly, newer bags are "progressive" so they are more gentle at lesser impacts.

I worked with a man and a woman who were injured by airbags in separate incidents. The woman looked like she had been severely beaten - her entire face was badly bruised and the skin was scraped from the inside of both forearms. Still, she was grateful for the protection. Okay.... The man had also been making a left turn when he was hit head-on. The airbag broke both arms across his face; an object lesson in not using cross-over hand action when turning in airbag equipped cars.

Mike

Also a good idea to never put anything on the airbag'd steering wheel, keep your hands at the proper (different from the previously recommended non airbag'd recommendations) positions, thumbs on the outside of the wheel, and WEAR YOUR SEAT BELTS. Without a seat belt, an air bag can turn a minor accident into a very serious one, very quickly.

Air bags are work with violent force, such force should not be underestimated.