Volvo 240 airbag replacement period?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bill Stehlin
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Bill Stehlin

I recently saw a Volvo TSB to the effect that replacement period of
Volvo airbags prior to a time in '92 had been extended to 20 years and
ones thereafter to 15 years. Since 240 was being phased out, makes
little sense that '93 240 airbag would have a different lifetime than
'92. Does anyone have more complete specific info on this?
Thanks.
 
Even the last TRUE Volvo produced, the '98 S90, had air bags that need
replacement after 10 years. There is a sticker on the side of the
door, or door frame that gives you the month and year of replacement.

After the take over of Volvo Cars Corp. by Ford, they decided that
they were good for 15 years (that was around 2000 -2001). I don't
know if they now say 20 or 15, but let me tell you, the whole thing
doesn't make much sense.

Which one would you believe the most, Volvo engineers working for
Volvo Cars, or Ford engineers who produced the car with explosive gas
tank, as well as the roll over 4X4?

Personally, safe driving will beat an air bag anytime. So I unplug
mine when it was passed the 10 years. I'm not interested in spending
~$2K for a new air bag.

Moreover, ABS and air bags tend to give a flase sense of security
leading many drivers to take more risks.

Btw, I could be wrong, but I believe that the 240 1993 was the only
and first 240 to get an air bag (as far as the American market is
concerned). One for the driver, none for the passenger...
 
20 Years Volvo Part # 30651039 Is the sticker that goes over your original
see your local Volvo dealer as there are different part numbers for other
models & years
this is for the 1990 240
--
"*-344-*Never Forgotten"
Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as long
as I live,
nor should any American.
"Mow Green"
 
Sammy said:
Even the last TRUE Volvo produced, the '98 S90, had air bags that need
replacement after 10 years. There is a sticker on the side of the
door, or door frame that gives you the month and year of replacement.

After the take over of Volvo Cars Corp. by Ford, they decided that
they were good for 15 years (that was around 2000 -2001). I don't
know if they now say 20 or 15, but let me tell you, the whole thing
doesn't make much sense.

Which one would you believe the most, Volvo engineers working for
Volvo Cars, or Ford engineers who produced the car with explosive gas
tank, as well as the roll over 4X4?

Personally, safe driving will beat an air bag anytime. So I unplug
mine when it was passed the 10 years. I'm not interested in spending
~$2K for a new air bag.

Moreover, ABS and air bags tend to give a flase sense of security
leading many drivers to take more risks.

Btw, I could be wrong, but I believe that the 240 1993 was the only
and first 240 to get an air bag (as far as the American market is
concerned). One for the driver, none for the passenger...
Click to expand...

Actually, they got drivers side airbags in 1989, IIRC. I had a 1990
and it had an airbag and I was always worrying about it going off if
I hit something parking.
 
Here the TSB:
Wouldn't all 240 airbags have been manufactured prior to '93 (can't
imagine a meaningful change in middle/end of final model year run)? I
think '93 began arriving around September. How to determine?

*********

Interior - Extended Airbag Service Life
200/700/800/900
1987-1996


Section8

Group88

No.
0001


Year03

Month04

Reference:
This edition replaces previous Service Bulletin 88-01 from January
2001 and Service Bulletin 8-02 from September 1997 which must be
discarded.



This Service Bulletin applies to three different subscriptions. The
Service Bulletin must be inserted in the relevant subscription
systems.

Purpose:

The Service Bulletin has been updated because of the longer service
life and the increase in the number of car models. Modifications have
been made to the affected models.

Extended service life for airbags (SRS)

Background:

According to the owners manual the airbag must be replaced after 10
years. Tests have shown that the service life can be extended to 15
years.

Further tests have indicated that the service life of driver's
airbags, manufactured between 1987 and 1992 which are 15 years old can
be increased to 20 years.

For driver's and passenger airbags manufactured between 1993 and 1996,
the service life can be extended to 15 years.

The airbag system has self-diagnostics. This means that the only check
required is to ensure that the warning lamp is working and no
diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored. The warning lamp indicates if
a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored.

A new decal which indicates the new service life must be installed.
 
You must be right. Memory is not what it used to be. I guess I was
thinking about the '97 960/S90 versus the '98 S90. The ;97 only had a
driver air bag, while the '98 got both driver and passenger air bags.

It always amazed me that in '97, Volvo felt that it was not worth it
to save the life of the passenger, but was worth it in 1998...

Btw, driving safely will beat ABS and air bags anytime. Those who put
too much faith in such technology deserve to be eliminated from the
gene pools. And they probably will.
 
You must be right. Memory is not what it used to be. I guess I was
thinking about the '97 960/S90 versus the '98 S90. The ;97 only had a
driver air bag, while the '98 got both driver and passenger air bags.
Click to expand...

According to Volvo, who I would trust over you, the 960 had a driver's
side SRS in 1992, but driver and front-passenger side SRS from 1993
onward. They define SRS as air-bag and knee-bolster.

From 1996 on, the 960 had a side-impact airbag for both driver and
passenger.
 
Sammy said:
You must be right. Memory is not what it used to be. I guess I was
thinking about the '97 960/S90 versus the '98 S90. The ;97 only had a
driver air bag, while the '98 got both driver and passenger air bags.

It always amazed me that in '97, Volvo felt that it was not worth it
to save the life of the passenger, but was worth it in 1998...
Click to expand...

No, it's that the U.S. required them to function as primary restraints,
which is silly. People were getting hurt because they had to make them
to work in place of a seatbelt. The only reason Volvo included them
at all was due to government regulations requiring them in order to sell
the car in the U.S.
 
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