Expert: Douglas Gan - 5/12/2011

Question
After airbag deployment can you use the same clock coil or spring. If so how do you check to see if it is still good. My car is a 2003 chevy cavalier.

Answer
Hi Marvin:

There are specific items including a clockspring that are required replacement items when a deployment occurs or when an airbag light comes on...and there are some items that are "check only".  Check out the websites below for the EXACT answers to your questions including fault code charts and reset information. This site tells you exactly what needs to be replaced and how to access them (seat belts & all) on over 3500 cars.  It's a pay site ($14.95 / day), but it's little money well spent to get the correct answers and to see exactly what you're after...it uses pictures, not text, so you can see what you’re looking for.
This is the same website insurance companies and body shops use to determine what needs to be replaced.

Also, there's a page in this site that tells you which cars need a scan tool to reset the system and which ones can be done without it.
http://www.airbagsolutions.com
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/scanlist.aspx

Good luck
Doug