LOVE/HATEbond

1. couple Q's the XJ designation i see pics of 4 whl drive mine is 2 whl drive is mine still an XJ?
2. rear ended another veh., airbab deployed, once the body work is done, will the truck be drive-able W/O airbags ,yes unsafe temporarily, no wire damage in front, but any resetting of any computers or modules needed? just need to drive truck to find good airbags from a junk yard etc

PatHenry

1 - Yes all Jeep Cherokees of model year 1984-2001 are XJ's regardless of 2wd/4wd. Since you have airbags your model year must be 95+.

2 - It may not be legal to drive it without the airbag - so if you do drive it, it's probably a good idea to drive very safe and obey all traffic laws. I'm not sure about the sensors/control module, but the airbag unit should just be a wire harness connection and screw into the steering wheel.

Just a note though - the airbags are kind of a big deal for a safety item. What good is saving a couple bucks if you die because you half-@ssed your airbag replacement?? There may be perfectly good airbags at your local junkyard, but do yourself a favor and at a minimal get a qualified shop (the body shop that you used is probably sufficient) to inspect the system and make sure everything is functional in the event you get into another accident.

fb97xj1

1. Yes.
2. Yes. You can drive without airbags but IF something should happen your insurance company wont like it, and neither will you. Some might even deny your claim should you try.

There is no wiring up front for the airbags in an XJ. All the wiring is on the inside, behind the dash and under the console. All you have is an airbag controller under the center console, and the airbags. There are no individual crash sensors up front like other vehicles. You will need a new controller. DO NOT DROP THE REPLACEMENT. The airbag light should turn itself off if everything is connected properly and there are no issues elsewhere in the system. It the light stays on, take it to the dealer.

For those that are curious...

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/wh...8/#post3493929

00t444e

No problem driving without airbags I unplugged mine a long time ago, as said before older XJs didn't even have them.

BlueRidgeMark

Having no airbags is no problem until you need them. Just like seat belts. They are completely useless until they aren't.

A lot of things are no problem... until they are. Tailgating is no problem until it is. Driving drunk is no problem until it is. Street racing is no problem until it is.

If I had not had airbags 3 months ago today, I would be in very bad shape today, possibly dead, instead of just recovering from a fractured kneecap.

"I've been doing X for Y years and I never had any problem!" is the language of stupid people.

dzywicki

I had both airbags deploy in my '99. I purchased a matching pair from eBay and put them in. Pretty straightforward to replace. I had also purchased the airbag module but after I replaced the airbags and powered everything up, the airbag light flashed a few times and then went off after the system did it's check.

00t444e

Maybe you shouldn't get a 94 or older XJ then since they don't have airbags.

BlueRidgeMark

I don't plan to. I had one, then a 97, currently a 98.

But there is a big difference between driving an older vehicle that does not have air bags and just being too cheap to repair them when they exist.

jpz

Very well said!

LOVE/HATEbond

thanks for the great replies , doing body work new rad, fan clutch, reforming some body parts then, just need a header to hold lights, to be street legal, then junkyard dog hunt for bumper etc., and hope some good airbags, they will be put in as soon as poss., although the mouth full of airbag was unplesent, minor accident, i dont need to be bagless in a much worse headon or such. just about to start it up check it out then going junking, again thak you for your help

LOVE/HATEbond

i saw a company online, if you send the controller, they reset it for a fee, didnt give specifics, any thoughts

BillyBoy

Amen Brother/Sister...

PatHenry

I would just do a quick google search on the company. If people have problems/dissatisfaction, they tend to be pretty vocal about it.
Otherwise, if they check out then I'd compare their price to getting a new one and go with what's best for you. As far as my opinion, it's no different than any other rebuilt part. A brand new Mopar part is always best and usually expensive, but may be discontinued/not available. Aftermarket products can be hit or miss, so I don't see much extra risk in getting it reset vs. buying a random aftermarket part.

fb97xj1

I wouldnt bother. The controller is only part of it. If there is an issue with the rest of the circuit the light will come back on and youre stuck taking it to the dealer anyway to find the problem. You need the Body Diagnostic Procedures manual to do that stuff anyway, which calls for a DRB scanner. You wont find either of those at the parts store, and the DRB is not cheap.

BlueRidgeMark

Agreed, fb.

Air bags are not amateur hour. They are complicated and there is too much at stake.

Dealer ain't cheap, either. When I wrecked my 97, the insurance adjuster said that just the air bags deploying was enough to total in in their book, due to the cost of repairing them.