Wife too light to activate airbags? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

erikpilon · 07-17-2015, 04:38 PM

Hello everyone,

I had a quick question about the airbag light that appears on the top.

My wife weighs 98 lbs - 102 lbs (44.5 kg - 46 kg), every time she sits in the passenger seat, the light that displays airbag is always "off". Even if she puts her purse on herself.

Now, SOMETIMES it goes "on" randomly on some days (once every 2 weeks let's say), but then would turn back "off" after 5 mins. But by brothers and friends sit there sometimes and it's always "on" with no fault, as a result, she seems to be gauging her "weight gain" by the light.

Is this something that can be fixed? Bringing to the dealer and ask to increase sensitivity of the sensor?

I've read the manual, and it says that for safety reasons, when a baby seat is detected, the airbag will be set to "off". But come on guys. I'm sure that there are no baby seats that can reach up to 50 lbs.

What do you guys think?

shibbs · 07-17-2015, 04:47 PM

Definitely worth a call into the dealership. How tall is she? That's more important than the weight, as far as airbags are concerned.

dozSS · 07-17-2015, 04:47 PM

Something is wrong with it then. 98 lbs should still activate it. Maybe the pressure switch is in a poor spot for the way she sits? I do not know if they can increase the sensitivity or not but if they can then that is probably what you should do. My wife was the same weight at one time and they came on.

clashley1976 · 07-17-2015, 04:53 PM

Either she is not sitting in the seat correctly (too much weight on the seat back instead of the cushion) or something is wrong. My ten-year - old daughter weighs much less than that and she arms the airbag when she's in the front seat.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

alex70olds · 07-17-2015, 05:01 PM

Very interesting question. My 11 year old is right around 101, he does not arm it. My 10 year old is 104 and he does. I can't imagine it is that sensitive to weight. BTW The 11 year old is aprox 3-4 inches taller than the 10 year old. I always assumed it was a load cell, but who knows lol.

erikpilon · 07-19-2015, 03:01 PM

Well, did some research and found this thread:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122468

Seems like GM already knows about the issue and won't do a call-back because of the price. They would prefer a lawsuit if an accident happens.

Someone in the thread also explains that she and her husband have been in a head-on accident and her airbag (as a passenger) didn't go off, but all others yes...

I couldn't possibly think how I would feel if I survived a crash but my wife died because of this stupid bug that everyone knows about, then go through the lawsuit in a cloudy mind.

Seems like I will be enjoying my Camaro less for the rest of my life by not accelerating so fast...

gnduoxiey · 07-20-2015, 01:37 AM

BTW The 11 year old is aprox 3-4 inches taller than the 10 year old. I always assumed it was a load cell, but who knows

07-17-2015, 04:38 PM	#1
erikpilon Drives: Black 2012 RS Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Dubai Posts: 18	Wife too light to activate airbags? Hello everyone, I had a quick question about the airbag light that appears on the top. My wife weighs 98 lbs - 102 lbs (44.5 kg - 46 kg), every time she sits in the passenger seat, the light that displays airbag is always "off". Even if she puts her purse on herself. Now, SOMETIMES it goes "on" randomly on some days (once every 2 weeks let's say), but then would turn back "off" after 5 mins. But by brothers and friends sit there sometimes and it's always "on" with no fault, as a result, she seems to be gauging her "weight gain" by the light. Is this something that can be fixed? Bringing to the dealer and ask to increase sensitivity of the sensor? I've read the manual, and it says that for safety reasons, when a baby seat is detected, the airbag will be set to "off". But come on guys. I'm sure that there are no baby seats that can reach up to 50 lbs. What do you guys think?

07-17-2015, 04:53 PM	#4
clashley1976 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2LT RS M6 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Albany, GA Posts: 399 View My Garage	Either she is not sitting in the seat correctly (too much weight on the seat back instead of the cushion) or something is wrong. My ten-year - old daughter weighs much less than that and she arms the airbag when she's in the front seat. Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk __________________ -Cameron Lashley Albany, GA 2011 Camaro 2LT/RS 3.6L M6 Summit White w/silver rally stripes CAI intake, VTC, VMax PTB, VMax Iceolator, Apex intake scoop, Roto-Fab washer bottle relocate Build Journal: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=419992 .

07-17-2015, 05:01 PM	#5
alex70olds ~~*~~ Drives: 2012 ZL1 #141 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Lake Conroe Texas Posts: 911	Very interesting question. My 11 year old is right around 101, he does not arm it. My 10 year old is 104 and he does. I can't imagine it is that sensitive to weight. BTW The 11 year old is aprox 3-4 inches taller than the 10 year old. I always assumed it was a load cell, but who knows lol. __________________

07-17-2015, 04:47 PM	#3
dozSS Drives: 2015 Camaro 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 49 View My Garage	Something is wrong with it then. 98 lbs should still activate it. Maybe the pressure switch is in a poor spot for the way she sits? I do not know if they can increase the sensitivity or not but if they can then that is probably what you should do. My wife was the same weight at one time and they came on.

07-19-2015, 03:01 PM	#6
erikpilon Drives: Black 2012 RS Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Dubai Posts: 18	Well, did some research and found this thread: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122468 Seems like GM already knows about the issue and won't do a call-back because of the price. They would prefer a lawsuit if an accident happens. Someone in the thread also explains that she and her husband have been in a head-on accident and her airbag (as a passenger) didn't go off, but all others yes... I couldn't possibly think how I would feel if I survived a crash but my wife died because of this stupid bug that everyone knows about, then go through the lawsuit in a cloudy mind. Seems like I will be enjoying my Camaro less for the rest of my life by not accelerating so fast...

07-20-2015, 01:37 AM	#7
gnduoxiey Drives: camaro Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: CA Posts: 2	BTW The 11 year old is aprox 3-4 inches taller than the 10 year old. I always assumed it was a load cell, but who knows