Hey all

Perhaps being a bit paranoid but my stock 20 year old steeringwheel airbag is playing on my mind alittle.

I mean as much as I love these cars, mechanically and electrically, they perhaps aren't the best built.

Has anyone ever heard of an airbag deploying without being at all provoked?

I am contemplating decommissioning it- is there a particular method to do this without tripping any codes or causing the airbag warning light to stay on?

Thoughts welcome

 

If you disconnect the airbag, the "INFL. REST" (inflation restraint) light will remain lit. An easy fix is to just pull the gauge cluster and remove the bulb.

However, if the only reason you want to remove it is because you're worried its going to go off for no reason... i wouldn't bother.

 

Hi Welcome to TGO Neighbor from across the pond!
On TGO Homepage there is a variety of articles dedicated to common Third gen problems, Here is the link to the airbag removal. Be careful though, however unlikely it could go off.
https://www.thirdgen.org/airbag

 

Thanks guys - sorry I didn't get a notification that someone had replied

Yeah should be fine - car does make some rather strange noises and electrical inconsistencies make me think twice abou the airbag

Cheers for the welcome and link Jack!

Yep easiest way seems to be pulling the fuse and light

Thanks guys>>

 

I was in the same boat as you but even more so since my 90 Camaro is the first year they were installed and as these are the first generation airbags and not the more relaible and secure 2nd gen airbags I was taking no chances and removed the airbag and replaced the steering wheel.

1st generation airbags were notorious for killing more people then they saved as the airbag would deploy with maximum force. For someone who weighs less then average or weighs more they could be hurt by the force of the airbag instead of being cushioned and for more heavy people the airbag would not cushion at all.

2nd generation airbags are much more safe as they incorparate a sensor in the seat that determines the weigh of the occupant and adjust the deployment pressure for the airbag based on the weigh of the occupant and the speed of the vechile and location of the crash and it's impact force....much more safe.

Like the others said above to keep the steering wheel just pull the fuse and the inf rst light bulb.