Notices
RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003) Discussion topics related to the 1999 -2003 RX300 models

99 RX Side Air Bag did not deploy

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 4, 2008 | 05:54 PM
  #1  
RNDRX's Avatar
RNDRX
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: CO
Default 99 RX Side Air Bag did not deploy

Our RX was involved in a side impact collision (LR Door) and the side air bag did not deploy, although the seatbelt did lock up tight. As a result I was thrown against the door and window.

Is this typical??
Attached Thumbnails 99 RX Side Air Bag did not deploy-img_3140.jpg  
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2008 | 06:04 PM
  #2  
iKenn's Avatar
iKenn
Just call me "Sprinkes"
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,345
Likes: 8
From: AwesomeLand.
Default

The impact wasnt severe enough for the airbags to deploy. Looking at the picture Your most damage was on the lower bottom so the sensor didnt deploy them. The airbag helps glass and other material from slashing your face. Plus head impact but i guess it thought you wouldnt have much head injury from that collision. Plus if you get it repaired the cost would be lower since the airbags wouldnt need to be replaced.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2008 | 12:00 AM
  #3  
code58's Avatar
code58
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 16
From: Ca.
Default

Originally Posted by RNDRX
Our RX was involved in a side impact collision (LR Door) and the side air bag did not deploy, although the seatbelt did lock up tight. As a result I was thrown against the door and window.

Is this typical??
RNDRX- Does your 99RX have side air bags? I didn't think they had side air bags that far back. My DIL has a '99RX and it doesn't have side air bags. I don't see the tag in the picture, maybe the seat belt is hiding it if it has side air bags. Let us know if it does, I'm really curious. Was it an option in '99 or was it on the top of the line models?
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2008 | 08:27 AM
  #4  
salimshah's Avatar
salimshah
CL Community Team
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,579
Likes: 1,394
From: Austin, TX
Default

99 came with side air bag, but not the head-rail curtains.

Salim
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2008 | 11:19 PM
  #5  
code58's Avatar
code58
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 16
From: Ca.
Default

Originally Posted by salimshah
99 came with side air bag, but not the head-rail curtains.

Salim
Salim- I've done plenty of work on my DIL's 99RX and I'm certain it doesn't have side air bags. I've detailed the complete interior and cleaned the leather seats- no sign of side air bags. Were they an option in 99 or were they just on the top model? I've worked in automotive all my life and I know what I'm looking at (or not in this case-LOL). Help me out here.

Her RX was an early build-about the middle of '98. Are ALL RX's supposed to have side air bags?

Last edited by code58; Nov 5, 2008 at 11:25 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2008 | 12:27 AM
  #6  
rfakinbile's Avatar
rfakinbile
Rookie
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Nigeria
Default

The side air bags are equipped only on the front seats and not the rear. its even visible on the picture posted above. This level of impact cannot trigger the air bag sensor to deploy.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2008 | 10:02 AM
  #7  
HarrierAWD's Avatar
HarrierAWD
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 6
From: Colorado
Default

Originally Posted by RNDRX
Our RX was involved in a side impact collision (LR Door) and the side air bag did not deploy, although the seatbelt did lock up tight. As a result I was thrown against the door and window.

Is this typical??
Since the impact was fairly light and it's at the rear door, the sensors may have chosen not to deploy. Hope you are OK.

To code58, the side airbag is mounted in the seatback. The sticker on the seat shows that the SRS is there. Some cars put it in the B pillar or the roof so maybe that's how you missed it.
Attached Thumbnails 99 RX Side Air Bag did not deploy-srs.jpg  
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2008 | 01:35 PM
  #8  
code58's Avatar
code58
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 16
From: Ca.
Default

Originally Posted by HarrierAWD
Since the impact was fairly light and it's at the rear door, the sensors may have chosen not to deploy. Hope you are OK.

To code58, the side airbag is mounted in the seatback. The sticker on the seat shows that the SRS is there. Some cars put it in the B pillar or the roof so maybe that's how you missed it.
Harrier- Thanks for the reply- there is definitely no sticker on the seat trim on my DIL's 99RX such as you show in the picture. I have worked in automotive all my life and many of those years in body and I am used to seeing the little tag sewn into the seam where the air bag comes out (deploys). As I said before, I have detailed the car completely and spent a good deal of effort to get the leather pristine again and I am certain there were not tags anywhere inside of the car concerning side airbags. My wife thinks I'm too detail oriented. LOL I wonder, since it was an early build (middle of '98) if there is a chance they didn't use them yet then. This really has my curiosity up.
Reply
ClubLexus Stories

Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe

story-0

2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 6, 2008 | 07:17 PM
  #9  
HarrierAWD's Avatar
HarrierAWD
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 6
From: Colorado
Default

That's very interesting. Hope you don't ever get hit on the side. Thanks.
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2018 | 04:50 PM
  #10  
ejdossary's Avatar
ejdossary
Driver
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 83
Likes: 10
From: South Carolina
Default

Look under the front seats. If you can identify a YELLOW connector and Yellow Cable jacket with two wires ate the connector, then the RX has a SIDE AIRBAG. Simple enough to locate under the seat. It would much easier to see if the either FRONT seat are removed. I have done that few times. Good luck !!
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2018 | 04:56 PM
  #11  
ejdossary's Avatar
ejdossary
Driver
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 83
Likes: 10
From: South Carolina
Default

On my 2002 RX300, I have a Code "B0113" which is describe on my SRS Scanner as "Short at the Side Squib (RH)". Researching the Code revealed that the Side Squib is actually part of the Side Airbag (RH) location. Question. How complex is it to remove the side Airbag? Please advise, anyone, that has done this before on Club Lexus or You Tube. Thanks a Million !!
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2018 | 06:14 PM
  #12  
ejdossary's Avatar
ejdossary
Driver
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 83
Likes: 10
From: South Carolina
Default

After removing the Passenger Front Seat to check the Side Airbag's yellow cable, i wiggled the connector and padded the side of the back of the Passenger Front seat hoping that will solve my problem. I also cleaned the yellow connector under the seat with Contact Cleaner and finished it with WD-40 sprays. Bolted the seat back in place. It's been almost a month now (11-14-18) with NO flashing Airbag Light. Just to share with my Club Members my encounter with Code "B0113". If the problems comes back, I know exactly with the issue is..
Regards,
Essa J. Dossary, EE
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2018 | 06:22 PM
  #13  
ejdossary's Avatar
ejdossary
Driver
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 83
Likes: 10
From: South Carolina
Default

No, it is not typical. If the impact is strong enough, the sensor located near the side of the seat around the seat belt pretensioner will send a contact closure to the airbag deploy! It appears that the sensor did not engage to deploy the Airbag. Check the sensor or replace it. Could be a bad connection at the sensor or Airbag. Good luck !
Regards, Essa J. Dossary, EE
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2018 | 06:30 PM
  #14  
ejdossary's Avatar
ejdossary
Driver
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 83
Likes: 10
From: South Carolina
Default

Look at the side of the seat for a label indicating "AIRBAG" which applies to the side bag on your car. If you do not see a label, then this '99 car model is not equipped with side Airbags.
Regards, Essa J. Doosary, EE
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2018 | 06:32 PM
  #15  
ejdossary's Avatar
ejdossary
Driver
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 83
Likes: 10
From: South Carolina
Default

The label on the side of the SEAT indicates that a Side Airbag is installed! Good Luck, Essa J, Dossary, EE
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:43 PM.

story-0
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

Slideshow: the 2026 IS 350 isn't all that new, and that's why we love it!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-04 14:35:23


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

Slideshow: 10 most confusing things Lexus has ever done.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-04 09:40:55


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

Slideshow: Our First-Drive Review of the 2026 Lexus ES!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-29 20:30:16


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

Slideshow: 10 Lexus bargain that are cheaper than a new Toyota.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 10:28:20


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

Slideshow: From hoverboards to luxury yachts, these are the strangest projects Lexus has ever attached its badge to.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-16 11:34:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Some luxury cars chase trends, but these Lexus models look better now than they did when they first rolled into showrooms.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-06 17:58:29


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

Slideshow: How to Get the Best Fuel Economy with a Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-05 20:54:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

Slideshow: 10 best Lexus models no one remembers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 17:33:28


VIEW MORE
story-8
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

Slideshow: diving into 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium's pricing, performance, fuel economy, features, and amenities!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-23 13:09:18


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: the 10 Lexus and Toyota vehicles you need to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-23 10:34:24


VIEW MORE