Toyota Forum banner

Possible to disable Driver air bag?

2K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  TexasJiminSTX  
#1 ·
I did a search with no results, but I'm wondering whether you can temporarily disable the driver's side air bag trigger if you want?

I was rear-ended, and to straighten the bumper back to where it originally was, I had to put my trailer hitch ball on the bottom of the bumper, hook a chain between the hitch ball and a tree, and give it several healthy yanks with sudden stops to (almost) get it back to normal position.

Later, I realized that I could have set off the air bag doing that(but fortunately didn't). I would still like to give it another yank to correctly align it, but don't want to risk setting off the air bag again.

Anyone know? It wouldn't surprise me that you couldn't.

Thanks, Texas Jim in St Croix
 
#4 ·
the air bag is active even with the engine turned off?
 
#5 ·
Still...For the front airbags to deploy, both sensors must confirm the g-force impact from a Frontal Impact (equivalent to 25 mph). Pulling on the front bumper will not trigger the sensors unless you're ramming your truck! Pull the fuse if you are uncomfortable with it, disconnect the battery, or simply tear the dash apart and unplug them!
 
#6 ·
I can see using your methods on a 69 Nova with a 'steel' bumper, but on an 05+ Toyota!! Go to a body shop and have it done the right way!
 
#7 ·
moose: I'm attaching the REAR bumper to a tree and leaving about 5 feet of slack in the chain, and accelerating to the end of the chain, which means a very sudden stop! It's not 25 MPH, but it's a pretty good jolt when the chain tightens.

I'll see if I can find the appropriate fuse before I try it again.

Thanks for the replies, guys!

Texas Jim