Nissan NV3500 airbag sensors

[NV3500guy]

Hello everyone I am new here. I purchased third NV3500 from coparts that hit a deer. It starts and runs good, and airbags went off and seat belts also. I replaced them from a parts van I have. I ran the code reader before I started the replacement (see pics include). My question is, can I just start the van up without replacing any sensors or control modules? I have not installed the battery for fear that a bag might blow. I’ve included some pictures. Not sure how to upload the pics. I tried using the tools.

[VStar650CL]

I can't see your pics this minute because I'm on a shop computer, but the Bag Brain (ACU) on a Nissan always throws an unclearable "crash" code after any deployment. So the Brain always needs to be replaced along with any blown bags. If your parts van has the same bag configuration and the hardware part number on the Brain matches, you should be able to swap Brains without any issues. You'll find the Brain bolted to the floor under the center of the dash.

If the driver's bag went off then you may also find the clockspring needs replacement (the flat-ribbon cable often gets damaged by a deployment).

If you want to fire it up prior to replacing the Brain, just pull the airbag fuse to render it safe. The Brain has no battery supply, only the single airbag fuse from the ignition. It's doornail dead as long as you kill that.

[VStar650CL]

Okay, I just got a look at your pics and the B1209 code is the "crash code" which you won't be able to clear. The rest are all bag and belt codes, it looks like the zone and satellite sensors all survived the accident. So if you replace the Brain and make sure there are no driver bag codes after replacement (which would indicate a damaged clockspring), you should be good to go.

[NV3500guy]

Thanks for the help really appreciate. There are two boxes under the center dash console. Can you tell which one is the brain?

[VStar650CL]

Well, I'm back at the shop and can't see the pics, but the Brain will have an orange or yellow top label with a bank of 3 yellow connectors across one end.

[NV3500guy]

I pulled the ACU going to send it in to my air bags .com to get reprogrammed. The spare one has different numbers on them. I was able to move the van after I pulled the air bag fuse, thanks. Is there any sign that the clock spring is bad? Like the horn not working?

[VStar650CL]

You'll get codes and a lamp after installing the new Brain if there's anything still wrong in the bag system.

Personally, I never trusted any of those code-clearing places. I've seen lots of squib driver circuits obviously damaged by deployment, but it seems like some of those repro outfits don't even check. It's like reman alternators, wave some grease at the bushings and call it good. Except with a Bag Brain, if one or more of the bags don't deploy, maybe that "reman" just killed somebody -- and the f#cked part is, no one will know until the accident happens and maybe it's you or your grandma who winds up dead. We're legally prohibited from doing that at the dealership, but I'd never put a reman Brain in any of my own cars. A good used one, yes, but not one which had ever deployed.

[NV3500guy]

If I buy a new one can it be swapped out or do I have to get it programmed to work with the vehicle? Basically is it plug and play?

[VStar650CL]

They're plug-and-play. Some of the newest ones need programming, but everything before about '21 comes already programmed.