Deployed seat belt pretensioner

[VJ1]

Hello fellow Q45ers,I've been away for several months and have missed my Q and this site.Now I'm enjoying all the archives. Thanks for all the posts.Last week my 94 Q was in a parked position with the engine running and the seat belts not buckled. Suddenly the pretensioner in the seatbelts deployed for no reason. Loud noise, car filled with smoke, both beltslocked up, seatbelt light and air bag light came on. Wierd huh!I took it to the dealer who said they can't find any trouble codes and dont know what caused it. After paying the $128. diagnostic fee, they said itwould cost $2225. to have the seat belts and control module replaced.I took the seat belt apart and rolled back the cam on the pretensionerto the free position, so the belts now work.Now I just have to figure how to get the lamps out from the back fo the instrument panel for the annoying air bag and seat belt lights.Has any one ever heard of such a senario.Thanks.

[maxnix]

Ever spill any liquid in the center console area?

[louiegz]

Maybe you should see if someone here has a parts car with that module in it, see if they sell it to you. I'm sure someone can help.

[Q451990]

There should be plenty of parts cars out there by now. Without the pre-tensioners, do the belts actually work? Kissing the windshield is very unpleasant - or so I'm told by a friend who did it. He still needs reconstructive surgery to get his nose right - but hasn't done it in 10+ years.

Heath

[szh]

Seat belt pre-tensioner deployment on its own may be a violation of a Federal warranty requirement. I'd call Infiniti headquarter and discuss this with a customer rep - you may get a free replacement of this damage ...

Of course, I am not sure of all this, but it cannot hurt to try!

Z

[DetroitJazzMan]

Maybe you should see if someone here has a parts car with that module in it, see if they sell it to you. I'm sure someone can help.

I just took out the entire seatbelt assembly from my 94 Q, if someone needs the belts and control modules, just email me at [email protected]. Jazz

[Q45tech]

Have seen a few deployments and upon examination of the ecu they all show liquid damages....sticky soda, coffee, beer, etc.

Drinking and driving citations should not be limited to alcohol, now that we have cellphone laws............Plus the 10 year statute of limitations on defects.

[VJ1]

Yes, I've had fast food soda cups in the cup holder which leaked.

[VJ1]

The dealer said only the mechanical hardware (buckle, strap etc.) iscovered by the the lifetime warranty, but I'll try the main Infiniti lineto see if I get any positive response.

[VJ1]

The belts work perfectly without the pretensioners. Normal action and locks with forward thrust. The only thing the pretensioners do is recoil the belt back about three inches and lock it in place. Thus pulling you back away from the airbag upon impact, so you don't break your nose.

[Q45tech]

The question is are the air bags working?

[VJ1]

I'm not sure if the air bags are working. The air bag light is flashing. To the best of my knowledge, they are still working if the light is flashingand not working if the light constant on.Vandi

[Q45tech]

Don't you think the flashing is trying to get your attention and warn you?

[bullittandy]

Don't you think the flashing is trying to get your attention and warn you?

I thought a flashing light meant everything was hunky dory (sic?).

[VJ1]

The flashing light means $2000.00 at the dealer.