AIRBAG REMOVAL HELP REQUESTED!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Re: AIRBAG REMOVAL HELP REQUESTED! (makard)
Don't even think about it! People get killed doing this. If you must, get the factory manual and follow the instructions implicitly!
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From: Alcoa TN
Re: AIRBAG REMOVAL HELP REQUESTED! (Avanti)
I'm told that it will be no problem to physically remove it. It is the trick of making the car think that it is still there that we need help on.
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
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Re: AIRBAG REMOVAL HELP REQUESTED! (makard)
:eek: I can see your next post already....................." How do I remove the Air Bag from my face?" :lol:
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From: Alcoa TN
Re: AIRBAG REMOVAL HELP REQUESTED! (Mag Red Monster)
That would likely be the case if I was the one trying to do the work, but I am planning to have a shop that has done the same thing for me on another car to actually remove the original steering wheel and airbag. Ford makes an "airbag simulator" according to a ford Service Manager that I know and I am hoping to find some way to fool the c5 computer into thinking the bag is still intact (much the same way folks are fooling the computer when it comes to disabling the CAGS system). I am HOPING that someone out there can tell us what resistance or what else it might take to do the work. The video that came with the car shows aftermarket steering wheels on the car that are not airbag wheels in use at Mid-Ohio raceway for the on-track footage. If they can do it, I want to as well!
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Intermediate
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From: Alcoa TN
Re: AIRBAG REMOVAL HELP REQUESTED! (ZAP)
I'm a big guy at 6'8" 325lbs. I really need the additional room to clear my knees and still keep the steering wheel in a relatively normal position. When driving on-track or at an autocross, one does not want to get his hands tangled up in his knees at high speed. Everything is fine for normal street driving, but in a competitive situation, I also like a smaller diameter steering wheel's responsive advantages.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Atlanta GA
Re: AIRBAG REMOVAL HELP REQUESTED! (makard)
I wouldn't think it knows if it is there or not, but once it goes off, the car will store a code that it has been set off, then you have to put a new one in and reset the computer. Has someone done this and said it will set a code, I don't think it will.
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Alcoa TN
Re: AIRBAG REMOVAL HELP REQUESTED! (Scott01C5)
Evidently the computer scans the system to determine if the airbag is present based on resistance or something. I have been told that the airbag light on the dash will be on and it might also have other issues. I don't know this first hand, but it is what I have been told. I know for certain that some other car makes do have problems associated with the same thing.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: St. Simons Island GA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: AIRBAG REMOVAL HELP REQUESTED! (makard)
I seem to remember that there was a mod for this when I had my Impala SS. It involved a 2 ohm resistor across the terminals of the connector when the air bag was removed.
Race Director
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From: CONCORD NC
Re: AIRBAG REMOVAL HELP REQUESTED! (Jeff)
If you don't mind living with the airbag light in your dash, simply unscrew the torx bolts on the back of the steering wheel and remove the airbag. There is a wire connector to remove, but it comes off pretty easy. I'm sure there is a way to put a resistor in the circuit to fool the car if necessary, may just measure the resistance of the airbag and buy a resistor at Radio Shack.
Anyway, removal is no problem. The passenger side is a different story, however!
Dave
Anyway, removal is no problem. The passenger side is a different story, however!
Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Lake Martin ALABAMA
Re: AIRBAG REMOVAL HELP REQUESTED! (makard)
Before you touch anything, disconnect the battery and wait 1/2 hour.
The wait allows a capacitor to discharge.( The function of that capacitor is to hold a charge a few minutes in order
to pop the bags should the battery become disconnected in a wreck)
Now, remove the hard plastic ducting and knee panel on the driver's side. You will see two large yellow
connectors. One is for the driver's side, the other the passenger's. Once unplugged, the airbags are disabled
and can then be removed.
The lite bulb in the dash will still be on, so if you don't want to be looking at it, you will need to disassemble the
dash to pull the bulb. :seeya
The wait allows a capacitor to discharge.( The function of that capacitor is to hold a charge a few minutes in order
to pop the bags should the battery become disconnected in a wreck)
Now, remove the hard plastic ducting and knee panel on the driver's side. You will see two large yellow
connectors. One is for the driver's side, the other the passenger's. Once unplugged, the airbags are disabled
and can then be removed.
The lite bulb in the dash will still be on, so if you don't want to be looking at it, you will need to disassemble the
dash to pull the bulb. :seeya
