question about side curtain airbag cover (Sienna van)

[Jim]

the vinyl covering the cover has become unglued and is peeling back so I need to get it glued back down.  trouble is I'm not sure how to go about pulling the cover back to get access.  I'm afraid I'll set the inflator off or otherwise damage it if I just pry it back.

any ideas ?

[RightCoast]

#1 rule regarding airbags: bring it to the dealership

[Jim]

#1 rule regarding airbags: bring it to the dealership

sounds expensive !   I'm painfully cheap.

[RobJohnson]

Often times the cover is actually part of the air bag assembly.

I agree with RightCoast, or you could check with a local collision repair facility.

Do not, and I mean do not, ever buy a used air bag....or let an insurance adjuster talk you into one. (This is just an FYI for all our viewers) If this would happen, contact me and I will guide you through the process to obtain a proper repair.

(GM certified collision shop manager, certified auto damage appraiser, and DuPont certified auto re-finisher)

[Jim]

Often times the cover is actually part of the air bag assembly.

I agree with RightCoast, or you could check with a local collision repair facility.

Do not, and I mean do not, ever buy a used air bag....or let an insurance adjuster talk you into one. (This is just an FYI for all our viewers) If this would happen, contact me and I will guide you through the process to obtain a proper repair.

(GM certified collision shop manager, certified auto damage appraiser, and DuPont certified auto re-finisher)

I was afraid that the cover was integrated into the airbag mechanism.  That likely makes it unworkable even if I pull the interior door panel off.

Farts !

[RobJohnson]

Often times the cover is actually part of the air bag assembly.

I agree with RightCoast, or you could check with a local collision repair facility.

Do not, and I mean do not, ever buy a used air bag....or let an insurance adjuster talk you into one. (This is just an FYI for all our viewers) If this would happen, contact me and I will guide you through the process to obtain a proper repair.

(GM certified collision shop manager, certified auto damage appraiser, and DuPont certified auto re-finisher)

I was afraid that the cover was integrated into the airbag mechanism.  That likely makes it unworkable even if I pull the interior door panel off.

Farts !

It's like working for the bomb squad if you are not fully familiar with the SIR system.

[Randy]

It's liable to still be under warranty. The airbag system being safety related is something they won't scrimp or argue on.

[RobJohnson]

It's liable to still be under warranty. The airbag system being safety related is something they won't scrimp or argue on.

Very good point.

Or the dealership might have a special fix for a "known problem" and alot of times there is no charge!

[Jim]

It's liable to still be under warranty. The airbag system being safety related is something they won't scrimp or argue on.

Very good point.

Or the dealership might have a special fix for a "known problem" and alot of times there is no charge!

2001, I don't think there is any warantee left.  Not really sure glue coming unstuck would qualify.

But it doesn't hurt to ask.

thanks

[RobJohnson]

It's liable to still be under warranty. The airbag system being safety related is something they won't scrimp or argue on.

Very good point.

Or the dealership might have a special fix for a "known problem" and alot of times there is no charge!

2001, I don't think there is any warantee left.  Not really sure glue coming unstuck would qualify.

But it doesn't hurt to ask.

thanks

If it's a common problem, they might have a low cost fix.....you never know until you ask!

[Miss Mia]

It's liable to still be under warranty. The airbag system being safety related is something they won't scrimp or argue on.

Very good point.

Or the dealership might have a special fix for a "known problem" and alot of times there is no charge!

2001, I don't think there is any warantee left.  Not really sure glue coming unstuck would qualify.

But it doesn't hurt to ask.

thanks

Call into a dealership and talk to a service advisor.  They'll let you know if it's a common problem or a super expensive problem. 

[RobJohnson]

I would stop in. You might get more attention in person, especially when you start telling people in the waiting room that your air bag is falling out and it looks like they are driving the same exact model of van.....

Make sure you let them know that you are afraid the bag is about to blow at any time.....and be sorta loud so the other customers hear you!

[Jim]

I would stop in. You might get more attention in person, especially when you start telling people in the waiting room that your air bag is falling out and it looks like they are driving the same exact model of van.....

Make sure you let them know that you are afraid the bag is about to blow at any time.....and be sorta loud so the other customers hear you!

a trick I learned a long time ago that works great

I happen to have a neighbor who is a Toyota dealer mechanic who I need to see about an unrelated matter but he's been kinda busy with baseball and softball with his kids.  that should be easing up, I'll see how he can advise me.

[RobJohnson]

I would stop in. You might get more attention in person, especially when you start telling people in the waiting room that your air bag is falling out and it looks like they are driving the same exact model of van.....

Make sure you let them know that you are afraid the bag is about to blow at any time.....and be sorta loud so the other customers hear you!

Once in our waiting room....this was a huge dealership....an old man was asking people if they wanted to see a picture of his daughter.....it was a picture of her in a casket after her death.......then he started to tell everyone she died because of those ABS brakes.......all of a sudden we had a ton of people wanting us to check their brakes.......the co-owner of the dealership asked him to leave, as his oil change had been done hours ago and he was "just hanging out"

a trick I learned a long time ago that works great

I happen to have a neighbor who is a Toyota dealer mechanic who I need to see about an unrelated matter but he's been kinda busy with baseball and softball with his kids.  that should be easing up, I'll see how he can advise me.