'98 Neon- How can I disable my airbags ??

[Phil Marshall]

Hi Folks,

I own a 1998 Plymouth Neon and want to disconect my airbags. It's my
choice, I don't want it in my car. Any simple ways of doing this? ( I
want them turned off, not removed.)

I have the four door, automatic w/ the upgraded engine ( 2.5 litter I
belive.)

Thanks in advance.
BLUELI...@Webtv.net

[Tyler Adams]

I have never purposely disabled my airbags, but I'm sure there's a few ways
to do it... Easy way - you may just want to remove the fuse, I don't
remember if anything else goes out when you take the fuse out. Anyone out
there CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.
What I would do is simply disconnect them, which is somewhat complicated to
describe with text (I have done this, but for other reasons). You should
probably just buy a do it yourself manual (I recommend Chilton's repair
manuals, they have all cars, as I understand it), which will cost like $15.
It will give you step by step instructions and pictures in most cases.

-Tyler

94 Lebaron

[Daniel J Stern]

On Mon, 3 Aug 1998, Tyler Adams wrote:

> I have never purposely disabled my airbags, but I'm sure there's a few ways
> to do it

Yes. The right way and the wrong ways.

>... Easy way - you may just want to remove the fuse, I don't
> remember if anything else goes out when you take the fuse out. Anyone out
> there CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.

Removing the fuse alone does NOT deactivate the airbags! Just the Airbag
System Diagnostic Module. In some cars, this will set codes in one of the
two code-flashing lights on the dashboard.

> probably just buy a do it yourself manual (I recommend Chilton's repair
> manuals, they have all cars, as I understand it), which will cost like $15.

Bad recommendation. Chilton books are notoriously full of errors.
Especially on something dodgy (so to speak) like passive restraint work, a
Factory Service Manual is called for.

Here is the correct procedure for deactivating the airbags:

(Note: I'm supplying this information without any warranty, express or
implied, that it is safe or applicable to your car simply because it
worked for our '97 Neon. Any ill effects you suffer directly or
indirectly as a result of these instructions are YOUR responsibility, not
mine. Just so we're clear.)

First: Remove battery negative cable and walk away from the car for 15
minutes.

Driver: Remove 4 philips head screws holding steering wheel side shells
on (this is where the cruise control switches are located if you have
cruise). Remove small bolts holding airbag assembly to steering wheel
frame. Lift airbag from wheel. Disconnect two-wire plug on BACK of
airbag--the other one is the horn wires. Using a common candle, drip wax
into the wire socket on the airbag unit, so that static electricity cannot
reach the terminal pins. Tuck airbag wire out of the way, reinstall horn
wire, reinstall bag module, reinstall steering wheel shells.

Passenger: More involved. Remove glovebox. Remove dashboard top cover
and front face covers. These are held on with push-in clips and philips
head screws. Removal is fairly obvious. Remove screws (dash top) and
bolts/nuts (from below, where glove box used to be) holding passenger bag
module to dashboard frame. Lift module out of car. Disconnect yellow
airbag plug--red safety tab must be disengaged in order to do so. Using
common candle, drip wax onto airbag terminals so static electricity can't
reach them. Replace disconnected bag module in dash.

Grasp instrument cluster and pull rearward to remove cluster. Look at
instrument cluster circuit board, "AIR BAG" light socket is so labelled.
Remove socket, remove bulb, reinstall socket. Locate instrument cluster
correctly and push forward to re-engage in connector pins. Reinstall
airbag module. Use black electrical tape to cover word "AIRBAG" near VIN
plate at front of dash visible through windshield (rescuers often will not
use the fastest techniques on vehicles with live bags, as they're afraid
of deployment).

Reassemble dash. Remove "airbag" fuses from fuse panel. (NOTE: Just
removing the fuses DOES NOT deactivate the airbags!) Use tape, pen, etc.
to put the word "DEACTIVATED" somewhere prominent on the driver and
passenger airbag warning decals on the sunvisors, and go through the
owner's manual and make a note where appropriate:
"AIRBAGS DEACTIVATED <date> USING REVERSIBLE WIRING DISCONNECT
METHOD". In "Notes" section at rear of manual, give explicit details of
this procedure so that it may be reversed if desired in the future.

The dashboard disassembly sounds complicated, but it is of simple
snap-together/screw-together construction and comes apart and goes
together quite easily.

The entire job, left and right, took me about an hour.

--Daniel

To write to me, make my address go:
dastern "at" umich "dot" edu

"KRACH - Gerausch von Glassplittern..."

[Jitterbug]

Take off the neg battery cable and isolate it. Wait a few minutes, the take
cover off the air bag controller (center of floor under dash) unplug the
connectors, buy helmet for crash.......
Phil Marshall wrote in message
<24551-35...@newsd-104.iap.bryant.webtv.net>...

[BRD]

You can also have your dealer deactivate the airbags.
See http://www2.golden.net/bdrodge/neontsb/08/083297.htm for more info.

Barry

[Daniel J Stern]

You can only have the dealer (or any other person other than the car owner
or his immediate family) disconnect the bags IF you have a permission
letter from NHTSA. That is, if you fit into NHTSA's narrowly defined
group of people THEY think are entitled to be exempt from the injury/death
risks from US-type airbags. Those who want to disable their
airbags regardless of the Joan Claybrook types' opinion of their wishes
will have to do it themselves.

--Daniel

To write to me, make my address go:
dastern "at" umich "dot" edu

"KRACH - Gerausch von Glassplittern..."

[BRD]

Chrysler does have a Deactivation Kit part number 0501088AA consisting of:
Window labels 06010833AA
B Pillar labels 05010836AA
Owners manual labels 05010837AA
Instruction sheet K6855297

I don't know if they will sell it to the public.

Instructions :
BOTH AIRBAGS -- ALL
Using a DRB scan tool, follow the service manual procedure for Airbag System
Diagnosis and Testing to resolve any active or stored faults prior to
initiating deactivation sequence.
Note: If vehicle is equipped with a Passenger Airbag Disable Switch, STOP!
DO NOT perform the following deactivation sequence. Rather, refer to the
driver side airbag deactivation instructions to disable the driver side
airbag, and use the switch to disable the passenger side airbag. Install
only the "DRIVER AIRBAG DEACTIVATED" labels as described in the driver side
airbag deactivation instructions.
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable and isolate.
2. Wait two minutes for the energy reserve capacitor to discharge before
proceeding.
3. AJ/AS/ES/SR/AN/ZJ/ZG continue with step 4, all others skip to step 15.
4. Locate and disconnect the yellow 2-way squib connector from the driver
airbag. See Service Manual if necessary.
5. Install the driver airbag deactivation jumper to the control module side
of the wire harness.
6. Ensure that the jumper is fully seated by checking the locking tabs of
the wire harness. Tie strap or tape back wiring harness to make sure that
wiring does not buzz, squeak, rattle, or rub against any surface that may
damage the wiring harness or jumper.
8. Locate and disconnect the yellow squib connector (2-way or 4-way as
applicable) from the passenger airbag. See Service Manual if necessary.
9. Install the passenger airbag deactivation jumper to the control module
side of the wire
harness.
10. Ensure that the jumper is fully seated by checking the locking tabs of
the wire harness.
11. Tie strap or tape back wiring harness to make sure that wiring does not
buzz, squeak,
rattle, or rub against any surface that may damage the wiring harness or
jumper.
12. Connect negative battery cable.
13. Turn ignition key to the run position, ensure airbag warning lamp goes
out after
approximately eight seconds.
14. Skip to step 19.
15. Locate and disconnect the wire harness from the ACM (Airbag Control
Module). See Service Manual if necessary.
16. Tie strap or tape back wiring harness to make sure that wiring does not
buzz, squeak, rattle, or rub against any surface that may damage the wiring
harness or jumper.
17. Connect negative battery cable.
18. Turn ignition key to the run position, note that airbag warning lamp
will REMAIN ON.
19. Install double sided "DRIVER AIRBAG DEACTIVATED" label on inside surface
of driver door window within 2" of lower rear corner.
20. Install double sided "PASSENGER AIRBAG DEACTIVATED" label on inside
surface of passenger door window within 2" of lower rear corner.
21. Install the small yellow "BOTH AIRBAGS DEACTIVATED" label on lower half
of driver side B-pillar.
22. Install "WARNING: BOTH AIRBAG DEACTIVATED..." label onto face of owners
manual. Note: Discard any unused extra labels supplied in package.
23. Reactivate by reversing the above procedure.

[Jitterbug]

I will see if we can order them (Dodge dealer), will post tommorow.
BRD wrote in message <6qdfq0$ncp$1...@cougar.golden.net>...

[Jitterbug]

No We can not. We need the letter from the goverment, then we have to fax it
to Chrysler, then we can get the part.
Jitterbug wrote in message ...