I drove over an island that came out of nowhere last night... o____o The driver side airbag deployed, front bumper is smashed in, radiator is hanging and my clutch is loose, so I can't start the car.

Can someone point me in the right direction in getting my car started and what I'll be needing to replace?

Thanks!

 

Check the battery cable, it has a explosive disconnect /blow-off connection from when the bags go off.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. Can it still be the battery cable if all the lights are still working?

 

Hmmm, I don't think so. Is this a Gen 1 or Gen 2 car?

 

Yeah 2006 R53. Is the cable supposed to be noticeably destroyed? I don't really see anything out of the norm. My clutch is stuck to the floor as well..

 

Yea I bet that's it, check the clutch slave under the car.. Broken line?

 

On a gen1 r53 (s) there are 2 positive battery cables....
The one to the starter is the one with the explosive disconect ...
The other one does EVERYTHING ELSE....that way the car has power to lower the windows, honk the horn, etc after airbag deployment....
You might want to get your insurance involved....
Most gen1 cars are totaled out with minimal dammage when the airbags are deployed...and bet your engine/tranny/oil pan/suspension is pretty bashed up....

 

Sounds like you smashed the clutch slave cylinder which is made of plastic and is mounted in front of the transmission. However the clutch starter switch is mounted at the master cylinder above the clutch peddle. I would think your car would still try to start even with a smashed slave cylinder

 

There is a "squib", aka, an explosive charge that goes off on the battery cable in the orange box in the trunk ...next to the battery...it prevents the car from starting if the airbags have been deployed...it is a safety feature... The + battery cable to the starter is unfused... The rest is an impact big enough for a airbag deployment will also have bent item...possibly cutting or chafing the battery cable...which is Unfused...so possible fire hazard.

 

Slave cylinder exploded.

If I'm replacing the airbag by myself, is that the only thing I need to replace? I opened the orange box and everything still seems intact. My seat belt still retracts too...

The list of things I need to replace:
Driver Side Airbag
Front panel (holding the radiator)
Slave Cylinder
Oil Pan(maybe)
Front Trim

I'm trying to avoid going through insurance.

 

Also the clock spring and the sensor and reset the light.

 

Your seat belt pretensioner probably deployed and will need to be replaced, to reset the airbag warning. Compare the driver and passenger side. If the accordion rubber is compressed, it has deployed.

 

Just wondering, why does the clock spring need to be replaced? I have the three spoke multifunctional sport steering wheel if that makes a difference.

I will also check the seat belt pretensioner tomorrow.

Thanks again for all the replies!!

 

I can't speak to the Mini airbag system but lots of other systems have airbag control modules that have to be replaced once the airbag goes off. I wouldn't expect to be able to just swap in a new airbag and call it good. Good luck getting everything together though. I would call Way Motor Works and see if they have any suggestions. They also sell used parts so you could source some of the stuff you need through Way.