Hit a deer and airbags deployed; some front end damage to vehicle; what do I need to do to replace airbags and get them functioning again? (especially with regards to airbag sensor)

During peak deer season in Grand Forks, North Dakota (aka deer season), you’ll see a lot of cars with deer-strips placed on the hood or vehicle to prevent car damage. The local police and sheriff often host a season opener where they stack deer carcasses on roads to help drivers test their car’s ability to handle the inevitable crash that follows. If you happen to ram a deer while driving during this time, the results can be disastrous — even if your vehicle is equipped with easily replaceable parts like hood latches and airbags. Here are some of the potential damages that occur after being hit by a deer while driving in Gran Forks, N.D.:

you cant get to a garage asap as bag could deploy at any moment this is VERY SERIOUS

They didn't deploy cause you hit a deer, the airbags sensors need to get a gforce reading to deploy, hitting a deer ksnt enough to do it

you can have anyone with a scanner see what the airbag code is. most likely not related to the deer hit two years ago.

Are you sure the smell was not deer meat on the radiator?
No one can honestly say its safe to drive and that an airbag won't suddenly deploy. Best thing to do is have it scanned to see why the light is on. Most shops will have a scanner that should work for this (save you the high cost of a dealer). The light may just be on because there is crash data stored in the SRS module and it may need be replaced.

Airbags are designed to keeo you from hitting the windshield or steering wheel. If you were not injured in the colision the I would say that the airbag was not needed and the system work the way it was designed.

fixable possible depends on front end damage needs to go to bodyshop to have front end and frame" checked to if repairable and they should be able to replace airbags as well but will probably need a new airbag module also ? not that familiar with ford procedures and whos paying for this it wont be cheap and insurance may total it???

First, I hope you and any occupants are OK.

Could be a faulty sensor (unlikely), Did you have any error codes before the accident? If so they could have been for the airbags for whatever reason. The impact might not have been hard enough (Yeah I know 30mph).

Airbags are deployed based on measurements from accelerometers in the car. If some predetermined G-force is not met, the bags won't deploy. You could have the dealer verify a properly functioning system when the car is repaired but given you were hit from behind (negative G's) and then hit the car in front of you (positive G's), you may not have hit hard enough (for the car, not you) to have the bags deploy.

This might be handy for future reference: http://www.tonysbodyshop.com/Newsletters/airbags.htm

The impact probably initiated a sensor on the front of the vehicle. Find a shop that deals with airbags and have them check all the sensors' status. Most likely you will need to replace the front two.

You triggered the impact sensor.(usually on or near the front bumper) It will need to be re-set or replaced, and obviously, you need to replace airbag.