Will a car's airbags deploy if the engine isn't running?

Question

I'm rather confused, I've heard yes and no from many sources.

I've also heard that the most basic need for airbags is the electrical system, that I know you need. But still, will the airbags deploy when the engine isn't running?

Wow! Split right down the middle! As of now that's 4 no and 3 yes.

Answer 1

Yes they will deploy without the engine running. An airbag can even be accidentally deployed when working on them. It is advisable when working around an airbag to take negative and positive battery cables off and then wait 3 minutes before continuing with repairs so that the capacitator is completely discharged in the backup system.

Answer 2

Modern airbag systems deploy when the seat is occupied and the crash impact is severe enough. The engine does not need to be running, nor does the key even need to be in the ignition. Some cars shut the engine off automatically when the car is sitting for more than a few seconds and restart it when you pull out. The airbag system is always operational regardless of the engine's operational state.

Answer 3

The answer is definitely...Yes! Notice the airbag is deployed on the passenger side with No front end damage? Happened in the middle of the night after it rained. So who's responsible? Me or the GM manufacturer?

Answer 4

Yes they will deploy even with the key in the off postion the firing system contains a charge capaciator that hold a charge of energy to deploy for up to five minutes after the key is removed and the car turned off Just in case somone hits you whlie standing. that is why you have to know what you are doing to wi=ork on a car with airbags. yucan deploy them while woorkin around the if you are not careful and wait till the Charge dies out before working around them.

Answer 5

YES! The airbags have nothing to do with the mechanics of your vehicle. They are deployed using a detonator device which is mounted in the front bumper. Upon impact, the detonator explodes causing the air bags to deploy.

Answer 6

No, they do not deploy when the car is off.

The airbag sensor is a MEMS accelerometer, which is a small integrated circuit chip with integrated micromechanical elements. The microscopic mechanical element moves in response to rapid deceleration, and this motion causes a change in capacitance, which is detected by the electronics on the chip, which then sends a signal to fire the airbag. The most common MEMS accelerometer in use is the ADXL-50 by Analog Devices, but there are other MEMS manufacturers as well.

Answer 7

In many car manuals, it reads, for 15 minutes after the engine is completely turn off, the air bags can still deploy. However after 15 minutes, the air bag system will turn off. So, if you look closely at 3 or more car manuals, for say, you will know what I'm talking about.

Answer 8

Yes they can. The power is from the battery not the engine. So if the motor died and the car was rolling and hit something they would go off. Also if you cross wires it is possible, but highly unlikely, that the air bags could go off on early cars. The sensors and programing is set on new cars to take in angle of impact, trajectory of pass angers, speed,etc. so they do not fire unless they must.

Answer 9

If the ingnition is on and you did not start the engine or the engine is not running yes the airbags should deploy. If the ingition is off they should not not. They are controlled by the electrical system not the engine.

Ask Patty

Answer 10

No. yet an airbag loses lots, if not all, of it is function if the driving force slides or strikes out of place, it is available if the guy is unbuckled. There are sensors in the seats of a few autos so if no passenger weight is detected, the airbag would not set up. This function exists purely to shop income case of an twist of fate. Why replace an airbag that deployed whilst no person became sitting there to be secure? they have airbags n Honda Goldwing motorycles now.