Disabling Airbags

[gorillamel]

So I looked all over and was not able to find a how-to on any Xterra website for how to unplug the fuse controlling the airbags on the X (mine's a 2005 S w/ full airbag package).

All I could find was this thread on TNX: http://www.thenewx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=16879&highlight=airbag+fuse

My friend wants to bring his daughter wheeling with me next time I go out. She's in that 50lb-ish category (10 yrs old). I don't have rear seatbelts (dog ate them) and thus the front passenger seat is the only location for her. With that caveat, I'd like to disengage my airbags so she won't be injured in case anything happens.

Does anyone know where the fuse is located and have they ever done this before?

Note: I no longer have curtain airbags. They deployed a few years back when I was wheeling, so I permanently have the airbag light lit on my driver's dash area.

 

[civicjoe]

Doesn't marcin know the answer to this quandary?


Sent from the Nighthog mobile command unit.

 

[Bluedog]

According to the service manual, once the diagnostic sensor unit deploys any of the air bags or seat belt pre-tensioners, then it has to be replaced as it is a one use only unit. This suggests that it will not be able to deploy any other of the air bags in another collision. Pulling the fuse will disable the unit. However, there are capacitors inside of the unit to deploy the bags in case the power is cut to the unit. The S/M suggests that they will automatically discharge after three minutes. If you disconnect the battery and wait the three minutes, then you can disconnect the diagnostic sensor unit and tape up the connector. This would eliminate the possibility of the control unit setting off the other air bag units.

 

[gorillamel]

Hmmm, knowing my luck, they'd blow either way. Ha! When my curtain airbags went off, I simply cut them off and never re-set the sensor (no way was I going to go to the dealership and turn me in to the insurance and pay lots of money).

 

[NismoFire]

I'd be wary about the 3 minutes...I've been cutting vehicles up for almost 10 years and have seen them blow WELL after the fact. Disconnecting the battery cable is a myth, as the charge is stored in the resistor until either A- power is restored or B- deployment.



Now, I'm not saying it WON'T work, but I'm saying be EXTREMELY careful.

 

[Muadeeb]

Disconnecting the battery cable is a myth, as the charge is stored in the resistor until either A- power is restored or B- deployment.

Electronics 101: Current is stored in capacitors. You _might_ want to try putting a ceramic resistor across the power input on the SRS module. I have no idea if that'll actually work as I don't have a schematic of the SRS module, nor do I have access to one I am willing to take apart. I suspect the power input is diode protected to prevent back feeding the rest of the vehicle when the battery is unplugged. If you do go that route, try something in the 15-30 ohm range of 10 Watts or more. Any less than that and you'd risk the resistor heating up too much as it drains the energy.

To echo what Nismo said: Do be extremely careful. The airbags are essentially a small bomb that goes off a foot from your face.

 

[NismoFire]

Didn't catch that last night...phone autocorrected it. Thanks.