Disable Air bag / Dash Removal - S10 Blazer

[robbjohnso]

I have to replace the heater core on my 1995 S10 Blazer. The Haynes manual says I should disable the air bag system before removing the dash. I've read the Haynes procedure but as usual, I'm worried things aren't exactly like they say. Usually this doesn't bother me, but I don't feel like paying big bucks after the bags go off. Can someone tell me the proper way to disable the SIR system? Can I simply unplpug the battery and wait a day or so or does the SIR system have its own set of backup batteries?

On a side note, I have done a lot of my own auto repair but is replacing the heater core myself a task worth doing? I didn't like the idea of paying someone for 6 hous or labor to replace a $50 part. The dash removal seems easy, but just time consuming. Is this a fair assesment?

Thanks for any inputs.

[busa_4]

Disconnect The Battery For About 1 Hour To Be Safe. Then You Can Disconnect The Airbag Connector. I Have Never Had To Change The Heater Core But Some Of These Other Guys Have And I Dont Remember Them Saying They Had To Remove The Dash.

[robbjohnso]

Originally Posted by busa_4

Disconnect The Battery For About 1 Hour To Be Safe. Then You Can Disconnect The Airbag Connector. I Have Never Had To Change The Heater Core But Some Of These Other Guys Have And I Dont Remember Them Saying They Had To Remove The Dash.

Thanks for the info. The Hyanes manual describes pulling a fuse. Should I do this as well?

As for the heater core, the manaul says the dash has to be removed (and so did the mechanic that wanted to charge me $600 for the job).

[vtmecheng]

Yeah, pull the fuse also. That way you are sure it will not go off. I am 90% sure you have to take at least part of the dash off to replace the heater core.

[GeneP]

In the last month or so I have disabled the air bag system on my son's 96 S-10 several times. Once to replace the instrument cluster, once to replace the turn signal / hazard switch, and once to actually track down a problem with the air bag light staying on when he 1st got the truck. That turned out to be a loose plug at the computer. I actually had the bag out a couple times. Like you, I was very concerned about accidental deployment of the bag. After reading the manual here's what I did (In order) and it ain't deployed yet.
1. Disconnect the battery.
2. Pull the air bag fuse.
3 Wait an hour.
4. Then proceed with disassembly or repair.

Once done I used this proceedure to re-energize the system.
1. With the key removed and the wheels straight connect the battery (I read this somewhere)
2. Install the air bag fuse.
3. Just incase, I opened the front windows and sat on the passenger side where there is no air bag, I stuck the key in and turned on the ignition to observe the air bag light to flash 6 times then go out if everything is OK.

Please be careful.

Gene
2.

[OverBoardProject]

You might try just removing the glove compartment to change the heater core. I've done this with some cars where they say to remove the dash. It works on some but not all.

[rlith]

Just disconnecting the battery for a 1/2 our (touch both cables together to drain the capacitors). After that you don't need to disconnect the air bag system since everything will be drained already.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by rlith

Just disconnecting the battery for a 1/2 our (touch both cables together to drain the capacitors). After that you don't need to disconnect the air bag system since everything will be drained already.

Can you be a little less vague with your description?

which two cables?

[rlith]

Duh! There are only 2 cables hooked to the battery... Touch them together after disconnection to drain any capacitors...

[BlazerLT]

Duh! There are 3000 cables in a Blazer.

You never said if it was a power cable, signal cable, mechanical cable?

Stop assuming people know everything you are talking about and post a full description of what you are trying to convey.

We can't read minds.

[rlith]

Everyone except you could easily understand what I wrote and which 2 cables to touch together...

[robbjohnso]

I've been meaning to post this for over a week. I successfully removed the dash (without the air bag deploying) and replaced the heater core. It only took about 5 hours to take apart and reassemble. F'ing mechanic wanted to charge me 6 hours of labor. That is why I don't like to take my autos to mechanics and choose to do the work myself (besides the fact that I enjoy it). I disconnected the battery the night before, pulled the fuse just and then disconnected the airbag connector just to be safe. Aside from the pissing match between BlazerLT and rlith, thanks for all the advice.

P.S. I understood which two cables rlith was referring to.

[rlith]

Glad everything worked out for ya. Yeah, simple stuff like that the garages will nail you on everytime. Only time my truck goes in to the shop if it's a major tranny work. (I don't rebuild tranny's myself)... Gonna be fun when I through the 5.7 vortec in in march!

[OverBoardProject]

When it comes to transmission work I just usually take it out, and the trany shop comes and picks it up from my mechanic friends shop.

I still bring my cars in when I don't want to do the job, usually something simple like the final touches after an engine install

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by robbjohnso

I've been meaning to post this for over a week. I successfully removed the dash (without the air bag deploying) and replaced the heater core. It only took about 5 hours to take apart and reassemble. F'ing mechanic wanted to charge me 6 hours of labor. That is why I don't like to take my autos to mechanics and choose to do the work myself (besides the fact that I enjoy it). I disconnected the battery the night before, pulled the fuse just and then disconnected the airbag connector just to be safe. Aside from the pissing match between BlazerLT and rlith, thanks for all the advice.

P.S. I understood which two cables rlith was referring to.

Sorry about the pissing match, was only making sure everyone knew what two cables he was referring to.

Just don't want anyone crossing the wrong two wires and causing unneeded damage.