How good are used airbag sensors?

[TheBoatDude]

Right, then...

Airbag light has been on since I got the car in Feb. I originally pulled four codes for airbags, 2 left, 2 right. I got the rights cleared with Deoxy. The left codes are redundant (2 ea that are 16, side impact sensor). I pulled the drivers seat and gave the sensor and plug the Deoxy treatment but the code won’t clear, so I’m assuming the sensor is bad (see pic- the tab broke off when I was removing the plug, so now it’s held in with zip ties). New sensors are [gulp] about $180 to $200 but I see used sensors. Is it worth the gamble to go with used? Or is the cost of new just the cost of owning an aging German car?

Thanks!

 

[andyglym]

Just my view of course but the air bag may save your life, I'd go new personally. Outside of tyres and brakes, the rest is just stuff.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Depends how much you enjoy head-butting steering wheels. Tried it once many years ago, didn't enjoy it. Like @andyglym said, it just might save your life. And a couple of hundred dollars over twenty years adds up to ten a year. Cheap enough. There's people on here spend a lot more than that on shiny things.

 

[gookah]

would you bat an eyelid over putting in 3 x tanks of fuel?
I just equate everything to tanks of petrol nowadays.

 

[TheBoatDude]

Thanks, everyone.. that’s what I thought, but I’ve seen a few threads where folks were not against it, so wanted to make sure I had good calibration,,

 

[mrscalex]

The only thing I'd say is if someone hasn't got the budget for a new one then it's better to have a working second-hand one than a non-working part on the car.

Be aware these things usually give out when they have been subjected to damp as they live under the carpet. You haven't mentioned that but I do see a little corrosion. If you are going to the exepense of a new part (well regardless) I would ensure the cabin is watertight.

 

[mrscalex]

Does it actually ever rain in California? I heard in the south at least it never rains - well until it pours.

 

[TheBoatDude]

Does it actually ever rain in California? I heard in the south at least it never rains - well until it pours.

Oh, it does. Sadly the past three years of this cars life it was parked outside...oddly, no signs of mildew. She has a garage, now...

 

[the Nefyn cat]

So the song was a lie, then? Damn, I feel so foolish now.