I want to remove the airbag steering wheel from my '90 and replace it with a no-bag wheel. Looking thru the Service Manual they say to disconnect the CPA, SIR connector and install a load tool. Has anyone done this with out the load tool? And where is the CPA connector? I'd rather not have this thing go off in my face, any tips would be appreciated.
Dave :confused:

 

Ut oh, no more airbag eh?

Momo Monte Carlo going in it's place? :D

Not too sure on this process...but people that know will chime in shortly.

JD

 

JD,

Just want that nasty, old, HEAVY airbag wheel outa' there!!
Picked up another Chevy wheel at Carlisle last week, mucho lighter :D

Did you get back together okay?

Dave :chevy

 

Hey Dave

I'm not back together yet. I'm doing a little aesthetic upgrade(It's the waxer in me :lol: ) while it's down. I'm powdercoating the runners black, I have polished LPE covers, and if I can get it done quickly..I'm polishing the SR upper(My billet lid will be here tomorrow from LPE). I just have to get lifters and the lower is going back on prolly Wednesday. If I didn't pull my shine obsession, it'd be running by the weekend.

Good luck with your swap and thanks for asking. It goes for a DFI-Sequential Gen 7 next week.

 

D%*# Waxer!!!!! :nono:

I'm really interested in how the DFI-Sequential setup works out for you. Do you have rear wheel dyno data so we can see how much you pickup? I picked up a lot of info on the FAST & Holley units @ Maple Grove after talking to the stocker guys. Also lined up my guy to do the 9" & 4 link in November :D ! Need a D44? 3.45, 3.73 & 4.09 available soon!!!

Keep in touch, Dave :cheers:

 

Pull the airbag fuse. Disconnect the battery. Put on an anti-static strap if you have one. Use nonsparking tools.

The real problem you shall encounter is that you will get an eternal INFL REST light on the DIC if you remove the airbag wheel. It'll set an ECM and CCM code. If you remove the INFL REST light bulb, you will still earn the eternal flashing "SYS" message on the LCD panel. To truly solve this problem you would need to invest in a customized ECM PROM that eliminates the SIR code.

As an afterthought, and purely as a note of interest, you may not remove or disable a factory-installed airbag system without incurring the possibility of encountering unsympathetic Federal law enforcement.

Paladin

 

Thanks Paladin,

You don't happen to know what the ECM is looking for in the SIR circuit going to the wheel do you? A resistance value or something really complicated? :confused:

Thanks again, Dave

 

Just a thought. Measure the resistance of the airbag with a digital OHm meter and install suitable resistors in the plug.

Maybe I am nuts, but while I was trying to track down a popping coming from my steering column, I just unplugged and removed my airbag last weekend. This is the second time I have done it with no explosion.

 

Don't ever use an ohm meter!!! You'll set it off!

 

Is this your opinion or do you know for a fact? I really doubt measuring the input resistance would trigger the airbag.

 

Mez,

The multimeter has to pass a small amount of current through the circuit being checked in order to measure the resistance. There could be a slight but not infinitesimal chance that the current will be the perfect value to trigger the inflator module - on the same order that your random cell phone conversation will trigger radio-detonated explosives on the highway.

I do not think that the current from the multimeter can place enough energy into the system to ignite the inflator module. All values measured in the service manual are done with the J 39200 tool - which is an ordinary Fluke digital multimeter!

The steering wheel connector is a yellow two-way A-B connector. I would disable the SIR system by pulling the fuse and disconnecting the battery, then checking for a resistance value through the in-column harness as previously noted. I would do this with the old column clamped in something sturdy, and by positioning myself behind the wheel and to the side of the column, not in front - ensuring that the column cannot blow my face off, and cannot recoil through my abdomen.

The service manual indicates that codes will set if you do not get the resistance correct to within 50 ohms of the old value, so you might have to design a parallel/series multi-resistor package to get this right.

The old SIR module presents a hazard, and you may have to take it in to a shop that can dispose of it. I would not want it on a shelf in my home.

I would also again advise that purposely disabling a factory airbag without the express written permission of the appropriate Federal agency is illegal, for what it may be worth.