air bag disconnect

[Ranger Rod]

not sure what category this falls under.... anyway I wish to learn how to disconnect the passenger side air bag on 1995 Ranger 3.3l 2 wheel drive? Thanks

 

[Dirtman]

Do you want to just disable it, or totally remove it? In either case.... why...

 

[sgtsandman]

First step, disconnect the battery so as to ensure it doesn’t go off in your face.

Then you can proceed with the rest of the process. I think you have to pull the air bag in order to get to the connectors.

 

[Ranger Rod]

Do you want to just disable it, or totally remove it? In either case.... why...

just in case I need to put a kid in the seat I need to be sure it will not inflate.

 

[Curious Hound]

just in case I need to put a kid in the seat I need to be sure it will not inflate.

Are you sure your truck has airbags? Usually there is a switch in an easily accessible place on the dash. Do you not have the owner's manual?

 

[Ranger Rod]

Are you sure your truck has airbags? Usually there is a switch in an easily accessible place on the dash. Do you not have the owner's manual?

Did not realize there were air bags until I replaced the wind shield last week and noticed an inscription with the vin tag saying air bags.

 

[Dirtman]

Ugh...

 

[Ranger Rod]

Ugh...

Ok, popped the panel off the passenger side dash and found an empty cavity above the glove box, therefore this relic has but one airbag in the steering wheel, probably a prelude to the new era.

 

[Curious Hound]

Ok, popped the panel off the passenger side dash and found an empty cavity above the glove box, therefore this relic has but one airbag in the steering wheel, probably a prelude to the new era.

Problem solved.

 

[19Walt93]

Years ago Ford offered a kit to disable air bags if the customer had the proper documentation but we never installed one. Per the NH Auto Dealers Association, the dealer who disabled the airbags was legally in the clear as long as the original owner who had the bags disabled owned the vehicle but could be liable for injuries suffered by subsequent owners who didn't know the bags were non functional because the Ford kit also disabled the airbag light. If you have to put a kid in the front behind an airbag make sure he's wearing the seat belt and push the seat all the way back. And try not to hit anything.
I brought in an airbag out of a used steering column I bought for my daughter's car and detonated it during lunch as a demo. I placed it with the bag facing up, sitting on the mounting bolts in the middle of the shop floor and set it off. The rebound from the bag going off sent it 10 feet into the air. I think I convinced my crew that if the manual said disable the airbag before doing a repair they should do it. Just disconnecting the battery isn't good enough, you need to turn on the lights or activate the stop lights to burn off the charge in the capacitor or the bag can still blow.

 

[Curious Hound]

Years ago Ford offered a kit to disable air bags if the customer had the proper documentation but we never installed one. Per the NH Auto Dealers Association, the dealer who disabled the airbags was legally in the clear as long as the original owner who had the bags disabled owned the vehicle but could be liable for injuries suffered by subsequent owners who didn't know the bags were non functional because the Ford kit also disabled the airbag light. If you have to put a kid in the front behind an airbag make sure he's wearing the seat belt and push the seat all the way back. And try not to hit anything.
I brought in an airbag out of a used steering column I bought for my daughter's car and detonated it during lunch as a demo. I placed it with the bag facing up, sitting on the mounting bolts in the middle of the shop floor and set it off. The rebound from the bag going off sent it 10 feet into the air. I think I convinced my crew that if the manual said disable the airbag before doing a repair they should do it. Just disconnecting the battery isn't good enough, you need to turn on the lights or activate the stop lights to burn off the charge in the capacitor or the bag can still blow.

That last part is good to know. Thanks.

 

[sgtsandman]

Is there a procedure to do the same with TPMS?

 

[Dirtman]

Depending on the year, forscan can disable tpms.

 

[sgtsandman]

2011 and 2019. I hate the system and it costs me an extra $300-400 when it comes time for new tires.

 

[Dirtman]

I just did my 09's tpms sensors for the first time last fall and they weren't even bad yet. 25 bucks each for autel sensors. Where in the heak did you buy your sensors!! You should get 10 years from sensors and 400 bucks is insane...

But to your point forscan wont disable tpms on my 09 so I doubt it will on your 2011 BUT you can change the pressure at which it turns the light, that wont help if it looses connection from a dead sensor though.... on your 2019, it probably will disable it completely.