Liberty air-bag

[psrountree]

Help ! Bought a 2005 Jeep Cherokee Renegade (also known as a Liberty). Love it !
Radio not good so asked a local specialist to replace it. He was tracing a speaker wire along the sill at the driver's door and the airbag went off on the passenger side windows. I found a warning on a Jeep website that night to say that might happen if you don't disconnect the battery but the local specialist did not know about it. I cannot find that warning again and I may need to show proof.

The local Jeep agent has been unable to find a supplier for a new airbag, so they are talking about writing off my Jeep.

Can anyone help me here ? I need to find that warning, and a new airbag. I am in far north Queensland, Australia and I need my Jeep. Help !
Peter

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[HoosierJeeper]

Hi Peter, sounds like a ****** situation. Here's from the FSM that talks about disconnecting the battery.

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[psrountree]

Hi H J

Thanks for that. Not quite as specific as the warning I saw, but it is a start. What I need now is an airbag.

Peter

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[JasonJ]

If your "specialist" did not know to disconnect the battery when doing electrical work like that, then he's a moron and is indeed NO specialist in anything. Hobbyist at best.

Sorry to hear about the situation. I'm sure there has to be a replacement air bag somewhere... although shipping it to you from the likely locations where they are might be cost prohibitive.

Not sure how AU insurance works, but perhaps if they write it off, you can buy it back and deal with it then.

 

[04Liberty]

I have an airbag from an 04, shipping might be a bit expensive from here to down under.

 

[psrountree]

Hi Jason. You assume when you take a vehicle to someone in business installing radios the know the ins and outs, but not this time. I hope his Public Liability insurer is more knowledgeable. The Jeep is 12 years old but has only done 106,000 Km. Still pristine (or was).
Peter

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[psrountree]

Hi 04 Liberty. There had to be one somewhere, but I am told it has to be new to comply with Australian law. The local Jeep agents say they have asked internationally, no response so far. If they decide to write it off I will contact you again about what is possible from there. Thanks very much for your response.

Peter

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[tjkj2002]

Deployed airbags does not mean a vehicle is "totaled" unless the cost is greater then 75% of the vehicles value,for the states at least and sorry I don't know your laws.

Airbags are items that dealers must still sell regardless of age since they are the only authorized supplier,any place else is a gamble and the scams out there for faulty SRS parts is pretty wide spread and well known in the automotive world.

 

[psrountree]

Hello tjkj2002. Thanks for that. I am just the owner, and I want to make sure that the dealer is actually doing his best to source this airbag. I will be talking to them again tomorrow, and thanks to you guys I know a little more about my options. The guy that did the damage is away until Jan 8, so I feel I can talk directly to the dealer in his absence. Just our luck that this is happenning at Christmas.

The dealer has indicated that the Jeep is 12 years old and the air-bag is no longer available. I wish I knew who to ask to verify this.

Peter

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[tjkj2002]

Hello tjkj2002. Thanks for that. I am just the owner, and I want to make sure that the dealer is actually doing his best to source this airbag. I will be talking to them again tomorrow, and thanks to you guys I know a little more about my options. The guy that did the damage is away until Jan 8, so I feel I can talk directly to the dealer in his absence. Just our luck that this is happenning at Christmas.

The dealer has indicated that the Jeep is 12 years old and the air-bag is no longer available. I wish I knew who to ask to verify this.

Peter

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Out of 6 online dealerships websites(actual Jeep dealers here in the USA) I've checked they all have the side curtain airbags in stock for KJ's.

 

[JasonJ]

Hello tjkj2002. Thanks for that. I am just the owner, and I want to make sure that the dealer is actually doing his best to source this airbag. I will be talking to them again tomorrow, and thanks to you guys I know a little more about my options. The guy that did the damage is away until Jan 8, so I feel I can talk directly to the dealer in his absence. Just our luck that this is happenning at Christmas.

The dealer has indicated that the Jeep is 12 years old and the air-bag is no longer available. I wish I knew who to ask to verify this.

Peter

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Call Chrysler corporate Customer Care.... here in Detroit.

Other option, I'd litigate the hell out of this and push to have the shop owner (or his insurance) purchase me a replacement KJ of comparable quality and mileage - or at least get enough money for yours that you could.

 

[psrountree]

Wow ! That is the info I was looking for. Thankyou. I can talk to our local agent tomorrow, will report back.

Thanks, Peter

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[psrountree]

Hi JasonJ. I hope it does not come to litigation. Will know more after I talk to the local dealer tomorrow.

Thanks
Peter

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[Billwill]

@psrountree have you posted your issues on the Aussie site www.ausjeepoffroad.com

They may have some good advice for you.

 

[psrountree]

Hi Billwill. I just found that site last night, and eventually managed to download a service manual. It is 7.30 am here now, so will work on their forum soon.

Thanks, Peter

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[psrountree]

Liberty air-bag

Have just talked to our local Jeep dealer, they say Chrysler Australia cannot find a genuine factory part. I said that is not good enough, try again.

Stumped.
Peter

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[psrountree]

Now we get to the real problem. The air bag is available, the controller is not. They can only be programmed once, and the existing controller cannot be re-used. Where to from here ?

Peter

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[psrountree]

Did a live chat with Sarah at Chrysler customer care in Detroit. Advised to email [email protected]

Have sent the email, awaiting reply
Peter

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[psrountree]

Received a reply asking for more information. Have sent it, waiting with some trepidation. I feel like a very small fish in a very big pond. Thanks for all your support, will update when I know more.

Peter

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[JasonJ]

Good luck.