An airbag is another integral component of contemporary cars intended to envelop a driver’s or a passenger’s body in case of an impact. However, there are situations where you should know how to disarm an airbag. When you are performing some sort of repair, a car airbag should be turn off. However, it is always advisable that a professional do such a job but if you are up to the task and are willing to undertake the job here is how to do it safely.
When Should We Turn Off The Airbag System?
Like for any other safety feature in a car, airbags are instrumental in reducing the level of risks in an accident but there are events in which it can be important to momentarily deactivate it. One such situation occurs whenever there is massive vehicle fixing or even regular overhaul that necessitates tampering with the airbag system. This slow and controlled approach of handling the situation ensures a safe process for anyone learning how to disarm an airbag, eliminating risks of accidental deployment or dealing more harm to the vehicles in some way. For instance, if the steering wheel or dashboard areas are involved in repairs involving replacement of a car part, the possibility of an airbag’s deployment will cause harm.
Also, disabling the airbags can be necessary where using a rear-facing child safety seat in the front passenger seat is planned. This should not usually be the case because the lives of children are at greater risk, but there are times when it has to happen. In this regard the airbag deployment may be dangerous leaving a child dead through complications resulting from affects of deployment. Thus, it becomes important to be able to disable the front passenger airbag in such an extremely rare occasion.
Moreover, some passenger’s medical conditions may allow them to sit in a certain way or at a certain distance of the dashboard, which may lead to disconnecting the airbag system for a period of time. This ought to be done under professional practice so that safety is not attained at the expense of the patient.
In all these scenarios, however, much care has to be taken to re-activate the air bag after which the car returns to its fully functional safety mode. Controlling the reactivation is important towards ensuring that all the passengers are protected through airbags every time there is an occurrence of an event on the roads.
Important Considerations
Before you begin, keep these important points in mind:
Safety First
Airbag is a dangerous product which should not be dismantled in the wrong way. Always exercise a lot of care and if you are still in doubt you can consult an expert.
Legal Restrictions
Often, procedures related to the dismantling of an airbag can be limited by some legal regulation. Always check the state laws during the usage of the service.
Consult Your Vehicle’s Manual
The systems also vary depending on the type of the vehicle. Some models provide specific instructions on how to disconnect passenger airbag safely.
Read More: How to Fix Car Suddenly Smells Like a Garbage?
Steps On How To Disarm an Airbag
Step 1: Gather the Necessary Tools
Before you start, make sure you have the following tools handy:
- A socket wrench set
- A screwdriver
- Safety gloves
- Safety glasses
Step 2: Disconnect the Battery
The first step in disarming an airbag is to disconnect the power source:
Pop open the car’s bonnet so you can get a view of the battery.
Lay the other end of the negative cable on a metal surface and attach using the clamps provided. Secure the proper equipment such socket wrench to slowly loosen the nut on the negative terminal which reveals a “-” mark and remove the cable. This will ensure that no electrical charge gets to the airbag system in the car to make the airbags depoly.
Also, there must be a 15-minute gap with no battery connection to the vehicle. This is to ensure that any residual power in the airbag assembly has drained.
Step 3: Access the Airbag
The airbag may be located in the steering wheel, dashboard, or side panels according to model.
Go to your car’s manual to find out where the airbag is and on instruction how to turn off passenger airbag if required.
We tell you to use a screwdriver to release any existing panels or covers. Retention of screws and parts for the purposes of reassembly should be practised.
Step 4: Disconnect the Airbag
Once you have access to the airbag:
Identify the electrical connector that connects the airbag to the automobile wiring system.
With gentle pressure, apply the locking tab and remove the connector. Depending on the vehicle, it’s possible to need a special tool for this step.
Step 5: Secure the Airbag
If you need to remove the airbag entirely:
Further, loosen the bolts that hold the airbag module in position using a socket wrench. Store the airbag after completing the process of how to disarm an airbag system.
Conclusion
Learning how to disarm an airbag is something that is not for the faint-hearted. But it calls for careful handling. Still, read this guide as a general overview and don’t hesitate to use the help of a specialist if necessary. Please remember always to reconnect and/or check on the airbag as it is a standard safety component in our cars.
If you follow the steps above, you can disable your car’s airbags for repairs. This won’t endanger your life.
