Rookie here so be gentle.

I was doing a job on my 1.3 Felicia Estate today that required removing the steering wheel and mine appeared to have an airbag so following the instructions in Haynes I loosened the 2 bolts to remove the airbag but I found there were no cables connecting to the unit at all. According to Haynes there should have been.

Here is the supposed airbag

And here is where I thought there should have been a cable connection..

Is this really a functioning airbag or is it just filler?

Some cars done come with airbags depending on year and model type of car that looks like a blanking

Most UK spec Felicia's (and presumably Irish ones) were equipped with a driver's airbag throughout, except the poverty spec.

It looks like an airbag has indeed been fitted, and you have rightly pointed out where the cable usually is, but for some reason it must have been removed at some point, perhaps due a fault of some kind, or maybe the original one fired and was replaced.

It still doesn't make sense why the cable is missing?

Seeing as you're working in that area anyway, check to see if the airbag light in the dash is missing as theoretically, the airbag light would be permanently illuminated and also it should self-test when you first switch the ignition on, and extinguish after a few seconds.

Also, there is usually a module on the back of the airbag itself to which the cable connects?

It doesn't look like an airbag. That cover usually has 'airbag' embossed on the front if you have an airbag. This is what an airbag and ignitor unit looks like.

Edit:: didn't see the response from rwbaldwin

Thanks for the responses guys, so I'm safe enough attaching/detaching what I have from the wheel then yes? I have to go at today's job again tomorrow and I was nervous working with what I thought was an airbag as it was my first time!

Edited 21 April, 201313 yr by SimonClarke

It's just filler.

The later cars all used a steering wheel that was the same for the airbag/non model, and that's what's fitted to the non model.

This is what they look like:

In the video after it's blown up you'll see the back of it with the airbag unit itself and yellow connector for it... (around 1:15)

Yeh that's not an airbag, it's just a blank filler piece, that place you marked on the above picture is where the slip ring connects to on models with airbags fitted.

Thats not a air bag I have one and a air bag one

Thats not a air bag I have one and a air bag one

Nope, your affection didn't improve :(

My car is fitted with such an 'airbag' filled with a stiff foam. One thing less to worry about.

If you ask me, they should not fit cars with an airbag, but with a bayonet deployed on impact. Far more effective against foul driving.

Edited 22 April, 201313 yr by adurer

My car is fitted with such an 'airbag' filled with a stiff foam. One thing less to worry about.

If you ask me, they should not fit cars with an airbag, but with a bayonet deployed on impact. Far more effective against foul driving.

And when the cause of the crash is the idiot coming the other way? Maybe your family will feel differently, but mine would rather than I was alive than that the idiot was doing time for "causing death by dangerous driving".

And when the cause of the crash is the idiot coming the other way?

Then the idiot will die with a stabbed face for his family to enjoy.

^ I'm actually finding some aspects of what's being posted in this thread quite distasteful & I'm not sure there's any need/justification for it. Life is precious & should be preserved when & wherever possible, whilst equally accepting the fact that stupid/idiotic acts will never be eradicated!

A bit uncalled for, but at the same time, let's not take it too seriously, I think it is a joke, after all.

Obviously, airbags are there in an attempt to prevent preventable deaths. I'd be uneasy to be without one.

My first Felicia lacked ABS and in a niggling way, I hated being without it. All three motorbikes (different to cars obv) didn't have it, and on the two out of three occasions that I lowsided, ABS would've saved me from crashing.

To be quite frank, I think I've quite a bit of road rage in me. It's easy to think I'm a safe and superior driver, but I find myself making silly mistakes more often than I'd like to - one of the reasons I sold my motorbike and bought a Felicia!

In case that people didn't understand my drift, I make one last attempt to explain better MY point of view.

ON-topic: my car has no airbag, most Felicia cars sold to ex-communist countries are built for low price. No ABS, no airbags, and many other No's but comfort related. So I drive with a 'foamy' airbag, not with a bomb in my steering wheel.

OFF-topic: Felicia is a small, light car. No airbag will save your life if you happily drive 55 on your lane and an idiot crashes on you front on. I suggested (metaphorically) there should be a bayonet deployed in case of a crash instead of an airbag. I guarantee there will be no more idiots ready to disregard safe driving rules and P on our lives. An airbag, or seven, will only encourage them to MAKE mistakes, take MORE chances, disregard MORE the life of other drivers. You know the type, big black SUV's or limousines, cockometer on full red, cars bought to be heavy and strong like a tank and ready to squash any little Felicia bug. They should have a bayonet (instead of an airbag) stabbing their face for their family to enjoy after a crash.

Haha this just reminded me of something, I know a geezer who superglued razor blades under the door handles of his car because it got broken into so many times.

Twin airbags fitted as standard

Twin airbags fitted as standard

Heaven forbid they activate!!!

A bit uncalled for, but at the same time, let's not take it too seriously, I think it is a joke, after all.

Obviously, airbags are there in an attempt to prevent preventable deaths. I'd be uneasy to be without one.

My first Felicia lacked ABS and in a niggling way, I hated being without it. All three motorbikes (different to cars obv) didn't have it, and on the two out of three occasions that I lowsided, ABS would've saved me from crashing.

To be quite frank, I think I've quite a bit of road rage in me. It's easy to think I'm a safe and superior driver, but I find myself making silly mistakes more often than I'd like to - one of the reasons I sold my motorbike and bought a Felicia!

Bike to Felicia has that slowing effect