I put a steering wheel from an 80-something firebird on my '91. I just have the two wires for the airbag sitting there, under the horn button/center cover. What should I do to make the airbag light go off? Should I just connect the wires, or would this mess up the computer if the airbag was ever supposed to deploy (i.e., power to the wires)? Should I connect the wires via a fuse? (I'm obviously ignorant of the ECM, but I plan to learn in the future.)

 

Just pull out that bulb.

 

yep, thats what i did.

 

OK, thanks

 

Don't just pull the bulb. You need to disable the system. Leaving a loose steering wheel module connector can cause an inadvertant deployment rendering your Airbag module useless and very expensive to replace {it will store a latching code for deployment}. It would be better to disable the system by pulling the SIR fuse. Just my $.02.

 

I guess if I don't put the fuse back in (it's still out), the system can't try to deploy the airbag. I hadn't even put the fuse back in! (Note: I have not ever asked about any other light so I don't routinely pull fuses, forget about them, and then ask why my light is on or how I can get a light to go out.)

 

Then I'd unplug the DERM...... then all your problems would be solved. Lights out, SIR system is totally disabled.

 

DERM?

 

D iagnostic
E nergy
R eserve
M odule

Its the Airbag Computer.....the module that deploys the airbags. It also controls the light in the dash.

 

OK. This is the first I've heard of the DERM. How do I disconnect it? Thanks, buddy.

 

Here you go, this is straight out of a '92 Camaro GM service manual. Pay attention to #4 in the top left picture. Thats the DERM. That is the view of the rear of the dashboard {like from the firewall looking back to the interior of the car}. Looks like you can get to it by taking off the dashpad. If you blow the pic up real big its really clear to read.

Here is the page, I posted it on my website, click here.

However, on 4th generation Camaro's I know they are under the center console.