re: airbag recall, Part One

[Ken <kkeith@qnet.com>]

Lee Levitt <wheelman@shore.net> wrote:

> Stopped by my local dealer (Bernardi in Natick, MA) for the airbag recall
> today. Turns out the 1-2 hour operation is a 4 hour operation, so I didn't
> have it done. Going back in two weeks, this time to pick up a loaner A8.

Hey, I learned last night what the recall operation is.  You guys 
may already know it, but they add a ground strap to the steering 
wheel.

Turns out the initiator they used when they built the side impact airbag 
inflator assembly uses a spark gap.

When the driver gets out of the car, and has his/her hand on the
steering 
wheel in a certain spot, and slides out of the seat, and has the other 
hand on a certain spot on the door, static electricity is generated, and 
the side impact air bag goes off.

The easy, cheap "fix" is to add a ground strap to the steering wheel (or 
somewhere around there), rather than replacing the initiator with a 
different type, without a spark gap.

Disclaimer:  I may not know what I'm talking about.  (but...)

Later!

Ken