Why does this need to be changed after and accident?

 

Apparently it's a "one use" component; engineered specifically to ensure deployment for a single use.

 

Does it contain something which blows? All the other electronics survive a crash. Do they have to be programmed or can I simply rip and replace.

 

Rip and replace. But, only use hand tools to remove and install. It needs to be replaced because that's where the event data recorder is. Once it saves the data, it can't be cleared or reprogrammed. This is to keep people from erasing incriminating data.

 

Okay I understand. I did some research. The crash data is save on a serial eeprom. A tiny 4 pin chip. The guys read the data off a known good chip and re-write the info to chip with crash data.