Side curtain airbag deployment

[hummerabia]

A recent trip out to the desert with a local 4wd club proved interesting as the side curtain airbags deployed when I crossed a dune ridge at an angle as opposed to square on.
I personally did not think it was a particularly harsh manoever and indeed several others had crossed before me with other vehicles without such incident. The dealer took some convincing before accepting it as a warranty job mind, its just taken them 5 weeks to fix. This has happened to 2 other H3's while on the press release day in the desert close to Dubai and I am now aware of another locally with the same issue. So that said any advice on the following would be appreciated:

1. Can the airbag module be de-activated somehow when off road?
2. Has this happened elsewhere? If so under what driving conditions?
3. Is this just an oversensitive control module, the dealer wasn't too forthcoming with info as to the fix applied, just said "it is fixed" and handed me the keys.

Apart from this, its a great truck and I wouldn't have anything else, just wish they would give you a loaner when in for repair, luckily I have been out of country for 4 of the 5 weeks it was in shop.

[hummerabia]

No response! Any ideas

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

Originally Posted by hummerabia

No response! Any ideas

Give it time for f5 and others more knowledgeable to read and respond !

RYD

[BlueHUMMERH2]

Some vehicles utilize a tilt sensor that will deploy the side curtains if the vehicle is thought to be tipping to "rollover". However, this same device usually will disable in certain conditions to prevent an incident like the one you mentioned. I am not aware of this happening to other H3's. Unfortunately, I do not have the technical expertise to tell you if the H3's system is designed to deploy based on a sensor that detects an imminent rollover situation. It is configured to deploy if a side impact sensor is triggered.

[hummerabia]

Thanks folks for your input so far. I am off out to the desert tomorrow to assist my local 4x4 club with a newbie trip. So hopefully no repeat occurrence with the newly repaired airbags.
However would appreciate any further info on the subject if available.

[Hummer Guy]

Originally Posted by BlueHUMMERH2

Unfortunately, I do not have the technical expertise to tell you if the H3's system is designed to deploy based on a sensor that detects an imminent rollover situation.

H3's with the available side-curtain air-bags have a roll-over-sensor. If it detects a certain tilt (I'm not sure of the exact angle) the airbags will deploy...

[garnerbiker]

Pull the fuse up front when going off road. I do it when the laptop is mounted by the passenger's seat. It cant go off, but put it back in while driving down the road.

[whaaaaT]

it uses tilt and g-force. If it feels a hard impact it will go off and if you reach the iminent roll over tilt it goes off.

[usetosellhummer]

does it go off if you in 4 low or high?

[Xof in H3]

I heard 'bout that with Pajeros...

But as far as i know, it never happened in Qatar, despite we have some crazy dune bashers with H3 around.

BTW, are u a relative of Alex in Doha who has bought a Cayman??? he told me that his bros had the same **** happening in AbuDhabi. Here is a pic of my english friend... (yeah, i know... a french and an english cannot be friends... well it depend who's in front of you!)



see ya soon... will be transfer to UAE beginning 2007. Is there a H3 club In Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

[hummerabia]

WTF are you on Xof in H3, yep thats my Bro in Qatar, and thats his severely limited offroad capable vehicle. Goes like f*ck on the road, as demonstrated by him last week during my brief visit to the State of Shatar. Personallly prefer the H3 to anything else on or off the road, cuts it in the dunes and a relaxing highway mile eater on cruise.
If you havent already ditched the side steps, do it now. Replace the OEM "Bad Years" with either Mickey Thompson or BF Goodridge 33" AT's.
Look forward to seeing you out in the dunes of the UAE in 2007.

On a more serious and relevant note the Airbag warning light came on again on todays beginners trip. (ie. easy dunes) Off to the dealer again tomorrow to hopefully get it resolved!

[hummerabia]

By the way the side airbags went off in 4Hi locked, if that means anything.

[hummerabia]

And H3 owners, the Porsche Cayman should not represent any problem to drive over considering it's low profile, "Xof in H3" perhaps you could go try it out up there in Qatar just to see if possible! Photos appreciated.

[Xof in H3]

H3 makes the world smaller... so you are his bro! we'll drink a beer @ Rydges for you. I heard i missed you one week ago... it's a pity...
Anyway, i'll get in touch when i arrive in UAE. The trip will be nice through Saudia...

And i'll try to forget to break the next time i see Alex's mower level car...

[hummerabia]

Thanks to all who gave technical info and not posting Porsche photos! Seems pulling the fuse will be the best option for now. Vehicle currently in dealership to check out the airbag warning light, hope to get some answers this time and get the issue resolved once and for all.

Christophe, check out dubai4x4.com and ad4x4.com I am with the AD lot as I am in Abu Dhabi. Good club and pretty active with a good bunch of people. Enjoy that beer in Rydges Plaza and make sure Bro pays Porsche owner and all that shouldn't be a problem!

[hummerabia]

Just an update, the dealer has now replaced the roll over sensor module and the airbag light has been extinguished as a result. So far around 3000US$ on warranty. Off to the UAE desert challenge today to test out the H3 properly in the formiddable dunes of The Empty Quarter. Not competing just spectating. Will pull the airbag fuse just to be sure of no re-occurrences.