Airbag question?

[BuffDHC-5]

I have a 98 Avalon and would like to mod the car to disable the right airbag for my kid. Does anyone know of a way to install a switch or of any modification out there to accomplish this? I have searched the form and did not find anything addressing this but tell me if I missed it.

[steve326a]

Originally Posted by BuffDHC-5

I have a 98 Avalon and would like to mod the car to disable the right airbag for my kid. Does anyone know of a way to install a switch or of any modification out there to accomplish this? I have searched the form and did not find anything addressing this but tell me if I missed it.

Before you try to do this, I would check with your local law enforcement to make sure disabling it is lawful in your state.

[BuffDHC-5]

Originally Posted by steve326a

Before you try to do this, I would check with your local law enforcement to make sure disabling it is lawful in your state.

There is not a law that pervents this where I live. Even if there was how do we explain all the newer cars with an airbag switch? Still, I have the wiring manual but can't tell if all I need to do is install a switch in the wiring to the passenger's airbag. Any ideas out there

[toyomoho]

One way would be to install a two-way switch. In one direction the airbag would be
connected, in the other way an airbag simulator would take its place. A simulator would be necessary, as the airbag computer will be looking for this bag when the car is started. If it finds a problem it will disable the system. I think the computer checks for continuity in the system and a certain resistance reading. The similar would provide this.

Do a Google search on “airbag simulator” and you will come up with hits like the one below.

http://www.airbagsystems.com/simulator.html

Suggest doing all work when the airbag computer system is disarmed. On most cars this can be done by disconnecting the battery and waiting for say 90 seconds. Keep in mind if you disconnect the battery the radio settings will be lost, plus the radio security system and car theft prevention system may kick in. Make sure you have all the codes or whatever else is required to reactivate the systems.

[zirconx]

Inside the glovebox, on the left hand side is a small square cover. Pop that off and you'll see some bright yellow wiring, which always indicates airbag wiring. You'll see a plug right there, in fact I think its connected to the square cover so it will come right out.

When I found this my guess was that it was so people could disable their airbags just as your are looking to do. But it may be for wiring up a new airbag, I don't know. It may or may not cause your airbag light to stay on, indicating a problem with the airbag (since the computer will not be able to 'see' it now?)

If you try this, please report back and let us know if it leaves the airbag light on or not.

steve326a wrote:
Before you try to do this, I would check with your local law enforcement to make sure disabling it is lawful in your state.

Give me a break! Even if there was a crazy nanny-state law such as this, I certainly wouldn't respect it. What is our country coming to!

[BuffDHC-5]

Thanks for the info. I will try tonight and see what happens. If I have a headache from the airbag going off I will let you know ........I know that will not happen I have replaced the computer for the airbags and understand the steps that must be taken.

[BuffDHC-5]

Zirconx thanks for the info and it works great. However the airbag light comes on and stays on anytime the key is in the ACC or ON positions, engine running and off. I will have to buy one of those simulators to turn the light off.

If you don't mind haveing a RED light on all the time just pulling the wire is by far the cheapest way to diable the pass airbag. But I have found that once a light is on in the annunciator panel my wife stops looking at any of them . Again thanks.

[toyomoho]

Might check to make sure that when the red light is on, only the passengers side airbag is disabled. It could be the complete system might be shut down by the computer.