Front seat airbag removal

[monkeybusiness]

Anyone removed the airbags from the front seats? How do you do it?

[Gsi3.2]

if you don't mind me asking..why????

This isn't something to be done lightly..real risks are involved here..

[monkeybusiness]

the reason why is, I have just fitted a leather interior and when it came to connecting the wires under the seat, the thick orange one (airbag one) is missing, and my airbag indicator lamp is showing on the dash. Im thinking the airbags have been removed from the seats, so I need to replace them with my originals from my old seats. Just need to know how to get them out of the seats, and of any risks involved.

[Gsi3.2]

pass on the intracasies of how to remove the airbags from the seat frame...i'll look for you but i don't hold my breath..

Risk's... think unexploded bomb..

the airbag is fired by an explosive charge..enough to give you a nasty injury or worse if it gets to your face..

the only way to avoid this is to drain down the discharge capacitors by disconnecting the battery for at least 30 minutes before even thinking about touching the airbag pods.. then treat the airbag with supreme care..don't get too heavy with them at all.. when it is removed, store it well out of harms way.. Garages use a 3mm wall steel 'safe' box to contain any possible blast..

this is not one to attempt lightly, as per my previous post.

[Gsi3.2]

a breif how-2 from the computer..

Drain down the capacitors by disconnecting the battery
leave for 30 mins.

slide seat forwards and tilt the back fully forward.

remove the seat back fabric panel

remove the 3 nuts that hold the airbag module in to the seat frame..they are located within the seat frame behind the back panel.

let the airbag module fall out of the side of the seat..

disconnect it's wiring..

place the airbag plastic panel down in a safe place from the car..


this is a rough guide..PM me for more accurate details..this isn't an easy one..or can i overstate the dangers.

[monkeybusiness]

Thanks mate. Im not even sure yet whether the airbags have been removed, its just that theres no orange wire under the seat. Is it safe to try and remove the plastic cover on the side of the seat to have a look, or is that likely to set the bag off?? Scary business this airbag stuff!

[Duncan]

Here's a PDF of how to remove the side airbags. This is the same info the Vx techs have available to them. Hopefully it's of some help.

As Mark has said, you want to be VERY careful when dealing with airbags and you do everything at your own risk i.e. no comeback to me/forum for providing the information. Not trying to scare you, as once an airbag is disconnected it should be stable - but things can happen as there is still an explosive device inside.

Hope you get it sorted.

D

[monkeybusiness]

Thanks lads, I will let you know how I get on.

[Beavis]

if the interior is out of an elite it may be the sensors in the passenger seat for the child seat (can't think of there name!!)
this can be disconnected in the base of the seat (I had this issue when I fitted the elite seats in mine!!)
if you need any info pm me
Steve

[Gsi3.2]

Steve.. did you mean ISOFIX???