Passenger side airbag disable

[wx5tvs]

Does anyone know the best way to disable the passenger side airbag? My windstar is a special purpose vehicle and there is quite a bit of expensive equipment mounted on that side, and rarely a passenger. If that bag goes off it's going to literally cost in the 5 digits to replace that stuff.

I hate to just "cut a wire", and would prefer that the driver side airbag stay working.

suggestions appreciated

[LeSabre97mint]

Hello

This link may help you out: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testin...sABDeactiv.htm

Regards

Dan

[wx5tvs]

Thanks for the information, but,
A) I could care less what the government thinks of it. They won't replace my equipment if it's damaged from the airbag blowing out. I realize any major collision will damage it anyway, but I am more worried about one of these 10mph bumber tappers that often blow these bags.
B) I am on a short time frame for getting this done, I don't have time for the red tape. Trust me, this was a cargo van and is being build for a special purpose, no one is going to care if the airbag is disabled over there. Even moreso, when I am finally done with the van, it won't be good for much more than a parts vehicle anyway.

[phil-l]

While I haven't looked specifically at my Windstar's passenger airbag, I've done some research in this area (I'll try to look at my 2000's passenger airbag connections tonight).

There will be a wire connection to the airbag; it should be visible under the dash (but may be difficult to get to due to the glove compartment). Note that many airbag-related electrical connectors I've seen are made of bright orange plastic, just so you know to pay attention to them. If you disconnect the wires going to that airbag, it won't deploy in a collision.

Now - that said - there are a few more issues. The airbag controller will recognize that a connection is missing, and should cause the airbag light to stay on. Yes, I'm sure you can live with the light - but this also means you can't be sure that the driver's side airbag is really operational.

Possible solution to this issue for techy types: Wiring the correct value of resistor in place of the passenger airbag should allow the controller to think the bag is still there. Of course, this also means no one else can determine that the passenger side bag is deactivated, but I'm presuming this isn't an issue based on your description. But this does mean the controller is correctly able to determine that the driver's side bag is in order.

Of course, insert standard disclaimer here: I haven't actually tried this; your mileage may vary. I can't take responsibility for changes you make to your vehicle's safety systems. Do your own research before mucking about with the wires. Etc.

Later edit: Hints for techy types: Google "airbag deactivate resistor"

[phil-l]

wx5tvs -

I looked at my 2000 Windstar LX's passenger airbag wiring this evening.

Here's how to get to the wiring (at least on my van):

- Open the glove compartment.

- Note that the glove compartment has two little rubber "stoppers" on each side the limit the compartment's travel when open (i.e., if they weren't there, all of your stuff would be on the floor). Gently pry the plastic supporting each stopper inward (toward the center of the open glove compartment). This will allow the glove compartment to flip down, giving full access to the area behind the glove compartment.

- Look inside the opening, toward the driver's side of the van (left hand side). There will be a two wire connector that comes out of the vehicle's harness. The mating connector continues to the airbag; on my van, the wires are covered in bright yellow plastic split loom material, so it's easy to see.

- This is the connection that needs to be broken to prevent the airbag from deploying. As I mentioned earlier, there are ways to trick the airbag controller into thinking the airbag is still there, so you won't have a perpetual warning light.

- Do some research. Improper handling of airbag wiring has the potential of accidentally deploying the airbag. And once again, note that you're on your own here: Neither I nor anyone else can guarantee anything. But my suspicion is that much of the equipment you're carrying on the passenger side is electronic in nature; you should be able to figure this out pretty quickly.

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by wx5tvs

Thanks for the information, but,
A) I could care less what the government thinks of it. They won't replace my equipment if it's damaged from the airbag blowing out. I realize any major collision will damage it anyway, but I am more worried about one of these 10mph bumber tappers that often blow these bags.
B) I am on a short time frame for getting this done, I don't have time for the red tape. Trust me, this was a cargo van and is being build for a special purpose, no one is going to care if the airbag is disabled over there. Even moreso, when I am finally done with the van, it won't be good for much more than a parts vehicle anyway.

You could just pull the air bag out and disconect it. Make sure you read the manual about disconecting the battery for awhile so the electricity stored in the caps can disapate.

Regards

Dan

[wx5tvs]

Thanks, I am going to google around, see what resister needs to be jumped across that plug. I have had the glove box out several times in wiring alot of this stuff up. You are correct in that it's electronic in nature. In fact, a rather exensive laptop computer sits directly in front of that airbag.

This is a storm chase media vehicle. If you have ever seen one, you know they are loaded down with electronics. In fact, this vehicle has a complete secondary electrical system. The windstar makes an excellent platform for this. In fact, this is the third Windstar I have converted. The thought of that airbag going off has been on my mind ever since my wife tapped the back of a pickup with her normal windstar. Very very minor damage to the front, but the airbags sent the driver and passenger to the hospital!!

If something like that happens on the passenger side, at the very least a $2K laptop and an almost $10K camera will probably be damaged, and possibly other things.

So you see, I do have some ligitimate concerns about disabling that airbag.

[phil-l]

wx5tvs:

Take a look at this:

http://neptune.spacebears.com/cave/baggers.html

It appears that the correct resistor value is something like 2 to 4 ohms.

[wx5tvs]

Originally Posted by phil-l

wx5tvs:

Take a look at this:

http://neptune.spacebears.com/cave/baggers.html

It appears that the correct resistor value is something like 2 to 4 ohms.

THANKS! I have a box full of resistors for projects, no doubt I have some in that range. I will give it a shot!

I have dubbed this van with the name "Frankenvan". Since it was a cargo, it had almost no interior parts, and I have scavanged stuff from 3 other windstars at this time! Just yesterday I installed the wonderful power front seats!

[phil-l]

Have fun! Let us know how it works out.