Driver Seat Airbag

[jims-terrano]

Every time I move the drivers seat the airbag light starts to flash. I can play with the connection under the seat and then do the reset and it’s fine so I know for sure it’s the connector.
So I’m basically going to try cleaning the connectors but if that doesn’t work I’ll cut the connector off and solder the wires together.

My question is, should I disconnect battery which is my intention but should I leave it disconnected for a while to discharge the circuit and if so how long for.

Cheers

 

[solarman216]

If you cut the connector off you will remove an important safety device, when the plugs are pulled apart the one on the airbag shorts out so preventing any accidental firing, Rick

 

[macabethiel]

I would do 40 mins to be safe.

At Mercedes Benz they disconnected the battery then left it for 40 ins for the capacitor to naturally discharge.

The airbags are designed to deploy in an accident where the battery connection might be lost on impact so the capacitor is designed to allow the air bag to deploy and is sufficiently large enough that it will operate the air bag without battery power.

About twice a year our technicians would accidentally deploy an air bag when working on the systems due to failure to allow enough time.

 

[jims-terrano]

Oh dear that doesn’t sound good Rick if it has some kind of circuitry there not just connectors.
I’m trying to spend as little as I can on it as it maybe going px in the next few months or so.

Might just live with it then.

 

[Banshee]

You've answered your own question Jim :thumb2

Get it re soldered mate, I had to solder some resistors in place of my plugs as I swapped the seats for some without side airbags

 

[jims-terrano]

Banshee did yours have the self terminating connector like Rick was worried about mate? If they have some kind of self termination then I’ll leave well alone.

Cheers

 

[solarman216]

No circuitry Jim, just a mechanical piece of spring metal that joins the two pins, I guess this is done in case static sets it off, Rick

 

[jims-terrano]

Cheers Rick, I’ll finish the TLC on the other truck and then pull the 3 litre off the road for a couple of days and disconnect the battery for a while and then have a look at the connectors.

 

[solarman216]

That is the way forward mate, check for any chaffing as well, but most likely poor connector, Rick