Mario87

Hey guys,

I recently bought a '91 Firebird, and I love it, they're hard to get hold of here in Germany. Anyways, the horn buttons of the airbag steering wheel had disintegrated so I mcgyvered new ones out of pieces of plastic and superglue. Works! During the process I noticed that the yellow airbag contact wire/harness had frayed, so I covered it with electrical tape, but that is for sure not the perfect solution. My question is: does anyone know how the airbag is triggered? Could the airbag go off, when both wires inside the yellow harness are shorted? If so that would be a reason for me to remove the airbag wheel, because I think it's quite impossible for me to obtain a new contact harness here in Germany.

Thanks for your help,
Mario

Mario87

Posted the same question to the Electronics Forum, because I think that's the better place for it. Moderation please delete this thread if necessary, because I didnt find a way to do it myself.

stealtht/a

iTrader: (1)

In general, the airbag will only go off when the sensors receive correct signals. Any poor connection should disable the system and activate the SRS light. There's crash sensor and inertia sensor. However , these were GM s first airbags and they did have problems, mostly not inflating when they should. In USA we have to keep airbags to pass inspections, but you may not have to. If you don't have to have it, I would pull it out and replace with a non airbag wheel, they certainly look much better. I think those early airbags are pretty unreliable so I avoid them. If you do replace the wheel with a factory non airbag, you need to trim the column plastic down a little for it to fit properly. An aftermarket wheel should fit ok with the proper adapter.
If you do want to replace the wheel with a better condition airbag one, all GM airbag wheels of that 90-92 are the same including foreign divisions like lotus, Isuzu and I think Saab, but they might be later types.

Wife'sCar

iTrader: (1)

A bag wheel from a fourth Gen can be wired in as well and bolts right in.

stealtht/a

iTrader: (1)

And is compatible with the 3rd gen airbag system or just as a wheel replacement that fits?

Wife'sCar

iTrader: (1)

The plug end at the air bag is different so you have to splice the correct end on, but it bolts in, plugs in, and self checks itself fine. I had an aftermarket wheel when I bought the car and had the airbag light on, got a wheel, bag, and clockspring from a 94 and all bolted and plugged in fine and cleared my light.

Wife'sCar

iTrader: (1)

Before



After (ignore the ed hardy cover, it's my wife's car)

Mario87

Thank y'all so much!! Your comments were of great help!! I will have to keep the airbag for state inspection but I think I might get a 4th gen wheel after that.