Could someone tell me where the crash or airbag sensors are in the front end of the MCS? I'm fixing my car and I have yet to see any sensors of any kind behind the bumper or anywhere in the front end. Thanks

 

They are actually accelerometers mounted in the center of the car near the handbrake, and at various other locations, such as on the sides below the rear speakers.

 

Hmm...interesting. I wonder if I would have to replace any of those since it was involved in a front right collision? The drivers/passenger dash airbag deployed.

 

There are 2 on the front frame rails and 1 in each door.

 

Could you take pictures if possible or be more descriptive in their location? I don't see thjem anywhere.

 

Ok, Bentley manual summary:

The airbag systems main sensor is called the MRS control module. It is an accelerometer and computer thingy mounted within the center console just in front of the handbrake. The system also uses two additional sensors mounted under the rear bench, along the outboard edge just next to those big metal clips that the leading edge of the seat clip into. The photo in the book shows the interior panel removed, yet claims you can get to them just fine without removing the panel.

Anyway, all three of these things use complex computer wizardry to detect crashes and deploy any and all of the airbags/seat belt pretesioners accordingly.

The manual also goes on to list everything that must be checked after airbag deployment, assuming that your car is not totaled.

Basically, replace the airbags, inspect the airbag support rods (passenger side), and replace any trim that was damaged, inspect the wires and connections, then reset the MRS control module's fault memory. That can only be cleared twice and would need to be replaced after the 3rd incident. I assume that can only be cleared with an expensive machine at the dealer.

Additional information:

The DSC accelerometer is mounted within the center console, behind the handbrake. It measures acceleration and yaw.

 

Any update on this? Sorry about bringing this back from the dead but there seems to be little help or show with pics on the forum concerning the airbag sensors.