Can Airbags deploy without Battery?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: Milwaukee & Long Beach WI & CA
According to the service manual there is a capacitor that holds a charge to allow the air bag to deploy even if the battery gets disconnected in an impact. It doesn't hold the charge for long though, I think it's about 10 seconds. I disconnected my battery over night before I pulled my steering column to replace the steering position sensor just to be safe 
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
According to the service manual there is a capacitor that holds a charge to allow the air bag to deploy even if the battery gets disconnected in an impact. It doesn't hold the charge for long though, I think it's about 10 seconds. I disconnected my battery over night before I pulled my steering column to replace the steering position sensor just to be safe
The Service Manual specifically WARNS that the SDM (the computer that controls the airbags) is designed to maintain an electrical charge so that if the battery/electric system fails during a wreck the SDM can still fire the bags at the appropriate time.
I disconnect the battery and wait at least 10 minutes before touching anything that is part of the airbag system.
WARNING - the SIR system should be treated with great respect ...
It can injure (or kill) you
It will do thousands of dollars of damage if fired
Where else in the world can you find a "safety" system required by law that is so dangerous that it ALSO must carry a warning label (read your sun visor) required by law ....... freakin federal government .....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Like Black Z06 stated, the SDM will maintain a charge after the battery is disconnected so just allow the car to sit for a couple of minutes and you'll be alright.
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,037
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From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
bumper
I know exactly where they are on my C4! Ask me how I know lol
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Here is a picture of the car I just rebuilt right after the firewall and windshield frame were removed, I know where every part is located on a C5.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Just remember, if you have an aftermarket alarm, some have a battery back up. This could also keep the car "electrified" depending on how the back up was hooked up.
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