Went to Cory's Today!

[George Maz]

Daryl, can you furnish me a copy of the fix for both the Seat Belt & INFL REST lights steadily illuminated.

I know the previous owner cleaned the grounds, and they were checked again a year ago. I had Mark Haibeck install a brand new nos 1990 DERM module that I sourced from Europe, and now months later the lights are back. I think it's weather related, as I do drive this car occasionally...about 5000 miles this year, and I reside in a coastal salt-air environment. I'm not really into pulling bulbs, but I'm wishing I had.

FYI, there's a Texas company that will fix the 1990 DERM for $100 + shipping. Although, I had already bought the nos one for $350, and had a time constraint. A few weeks prior another nos module sold for $200, so prices & availability are unpredictable for this repair.

1990 DERM is a '90 specific part, but it's all 1990 corvettes, not just ZR-1...post airbag deployment it becomes hardset with a code, and cannot be reused.

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by 32valvesftw

About the old airbag, I have concerns about that as well, to the point where was thinking about replacing the steering wheel with one of those cool Momos.

I'd have more concerns about one of those new Takata air bags made in China that an older bag made in the US.

[Fully Vetted]

Originally Posted by MickeyD

He was very nice. I did expect a larger place, but I don't judge a book by its cover. My crane shop is small and not what you expect.

The question is do you have a liquor store attached to your crane shop?

Originally Posted by GOLDCYLON

I'd have more concerns about one of those new Takata air bags made in China that an older bag made in the US.

No kidding. I'd have more concerns about one of those new Takata air bags made in China than I would no air bag at all.

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by George Maz

Daryl, can you furnish me a copy of the fix for both the Seat Belt & INFL REST lights steadily illuminated.

I know the previous owner cleaned the grounds, and they were checked again a year ago. I had Mark Haibeck install a brand new nos 1990 DERM module that I sourced from Europe, and now months later the lights are back. I think it's weather related, as I do drive this car occasionally...about 5000 miles this year, and I reside in a coastal salt-air environment. I'm not really into pulling bulbs, but I'm wishing I had.

FYI, there's a Texas company that will fix the 1990 DERM for $100 + shipping. Although, I had already bought the nos one for $350, and had a time constraint. A few weeks prior another nos module sold for $200, so prices & availability are unpredictable for this repair.

1990 DERM is a '90 specific part, but it's all 1990 corvettes, not just ZR-1...post airbag deployment it becomes hardset with a code, and cannot be reused.

Hi George yes I am/was aware that a 90 C4 and a 90 ZR-1 air bag are the same but the airbag is indeed a one year only. The problem is this was the first year of introduction of the drivers side airbag to the corvette as airbags were non mandated as required equipment until the mid 90s for all vehicles by federal law. Best case example of this is the rear view camera that was required on all vehicles MY 2016 and beyond.
I also remember your searching for a new DERM to solve your problem. I heard about a rebuilding Company however I had no idea who the vendors are or were. However I have seen a Company on Ebay that also rebuilds them. To date I don't know of a forum member who has gone this route with a rebuild.


Back to the 90 Corvette. It was damn impressive of GM and the Corvette to introduce an airbag into the 1990 model 4-5 years before it was required by Federal law so GM took a giant leap there. The problem that remains to this day and why it only affects the 90 MY only is due to the grounding points (CHASIS) GM used to ground the airbag impact sensors (accelerometers) along the frame points. GM changed this in the 91 model due to this problem and this why this fault problem or fault code only a problem in MY 90 years. Simply put the engineers changed the ground pathways


The impact sensors underside points need to be bare and devoid of rust and your living next to the ocean and the prevalence of increased rust bolsters my argument and this problem. The mating surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned and dielectrically greased to prevent rust intrusion after the repair or if you prefer maintenance is preformed. Then you should be about to rest the system.


I have found the articles I am looking for. I will scan them tomorrow and give them to anybody who wants them. the first article is the Fall issue of KING of THE HILL Volume 2 number 1 written by Gordon killebrew on pg 19 "S.I.R. Operation and Fault codes. The second article which details the maintenance repair is from the Heart of The Beast dated 2011 issue 3 26 by Michael Rierson "Inflatable Restraint Fault Correction" Pgs 10-13 with pictures.

[GOLDCYLON]

First article






Second article

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by GOLDCYLON

Back to the 90 Corvette. It was damn impressive of GM and the Corvette to introduce an airbag into the 1990 model 4-5 years before it was required by Federal law so GM took a giant leap there. The problem that remains to this day and why it only affects the 90 MY only is due to the grounding points (CHASIS) GM used to ground the airbag impact sensors (accelerometers) along the frame points. GM changed this in the 91 model due to this problem and this why this fault problem or fault code only a problem in MY 90 years. Simply put the engineers changed the ground pathways

The Air Bag Crash Sensor does not have to be grounded to function.....only grounded to assure it is in place to function. If it is not grounded it appears it is not in place....but will actually function if in place.

For the 1991 through 1993 the Air Bag Sensors do not have to be grounded to work in a crash....they DO need to be attached to the Frame Rails however. The Grounding on the 1990 was set up to assure the sensors were attached to the Frame Rails. If the bolts were removed from the sensors the sensor would pass as air bag deployable but would not actually deploy the air bag for obvious reasons. This explains why I got NO INFL REST warning on the panel when I totally removed the 1991 Sensor from the Frame Rail in my test.

I am now thinking the Air Bag Sensors on the 1990 ZR-1 will function and Deploy the Air Bag even if not grounded. The 1990 Air Bag Sensors will only appear not grounded/not connected on the panel as INFL REST indicating/suggesting the Air Bag Sensors are not installed when in fact they ARE Installed. To get rid of that INFL REST Indication on the Panel (as well as the Red Seat Belt Indication) requires the Air Bag Sensors be Re-Grounded. I am not going to jar the Air Bag Sensor to see if the Air Bags Deploy to test that theory.

[MickeyD]

[QUOTE=Fully Vetted;257530]The question is do you have a liquor store attached to your crane shop?

Construction starts next week. However, Margarita machine is being delivered tomorrow in interim.

[MickeyD]

Originally Posted by 32valvesftw

About the old airbag, I have concerns about that as well, to the point where was thinking about replacing the steering wheel with one of those cool Momos.

I think that is a great idea. Especially now that a 27 year old air bag may not work or do more damage to me deploying. Besides it gives me an original steering wheel with intact air bag. Now all I need is black 94 or 95 seats for my wide arse. 90 seats suck for that.

[MickeyD]

Originally Posted by jss06c6

Mike,

You made the right decision if you felt good about it! We did well with seat belts and no air bags for years. Our Z has shoulder belts as well, so I'd feel quite safe with a new steering g wheel without the airbag. Glad your happy with the fix, that's what counts.

Sent from my XT1585 using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app

Btw, Steve, I don't remember if my '77 Nova with a massive 305 had air bags or not but, I quickly installed Jensen Triaxles!

[jss06c6]

Originally Posted by MickeyD

Btw, Steve, I don't remember if my '77 Nova with a massive 305 had air bags or not but, I quickly installed Jensen Triaxles!

[emoji41] [emoji41] [emoji41]

Sent from my QTAIR7 using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app