[Brian]

i've seen a ton of threads about removing air bags.

forgive me if this has been addressed elsewhere.

we've got a new baby at home and i'd like to be able to drive her in the 968 in her car seat.

that would mean turning off the pass air bag temporarily.

is there a simple way to do this? can i just pull a fuse?



i've read about pulling plugs and installing 3 ohm resistors. this wouldn't be to terrible, but i'm hoping there's an easier way than this.

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[S_Cal968]

There's only a few options:

- Disconnect the bag [as you mentioned].

- Break the tamper seal and install a jumper, [to supply dme power].

- Install a key [on/off] switch. [I've seen them for domestics but not P-cars, so this probably not an option].

- Put the child seat in the backseat.



As you may know just disconnecting any of the A/B connectors will cause a error code to be stored and thus throwing the infamous airbag light on.



Pulling the fuse will most likely interupt the power loop to the dme.

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[SILVY968]

I would investigate the installation of a small toggle switch in the glove box. It would have to be a double throw, double pole, make before break switch. Triple, if you want to have an LED that warns you that the air bag is disabled.

the bags would be on one side of the switch, the 3 ohm resisters on the other side. The swinger is hooked up to the air bag electronics.

I would operate the switch with the car off to prevent an possible "red light" trigger.

If you give it a try, please post the results.

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[Brian]

thanks for the tips.

i'll bet that switch would work.... flip it one way and the wires are stock. flip it the other way and the 3 ohm resistor is in place. why not?



any chance an electrical genius out there would want to try this? if we could get our hands on the factory plugs, we could rig a little harness and wouldn't have to cut or splice anything. just plug and play.



hmmmmm......

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[Etnier]

You'll need a very high quality switch with a double set of contacts. There have been many reports of the ABS lamp being triggered by short disruption of the signal through, say, the 3 ohm resistor owners install to fool the computer when a non-airbag wheel is installed. Stay away from Radio Shack.

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[S_Cal968]

I'd think twice about the switch idea. The shop manual specifically states to wait at least 20mins before working on or disconnecting anything. The circuit must include a capacitor that requires time to bleed down.

As mentioned the switch would have to be extremely high quality in the fact that there is zero zip zilch electrical arcing. I'm not that much of a gambler...

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[Brian]

urgh!

there must be some way, right?

the new cars all have keyed switches. i wonder if their circuits are totally different?

maybe this one is stuck in the ice age.



i'm all about NOT breaking anything, damaging the air bag, or setting off that stupid light.....



i suppose if i need to take the baby, i'll just have to wait 20 mins and unplug the air bag.

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[Greimann]

I know I have messed with my airbag many times without waiting the 20 minutes. I think if you get a high quality DPDT switch and only throw it when the key is off, then you should be OK.

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[Sho968]

I have installed in my '94 968 Cab an airbag on/off switch (for Passenger side)available from Sensible Solutions, LLC (http://www.airbagonoff.com/) after obtaining NHTSA authorization paperwork.



They must have a version of such switch now as I went through more than one of their switches to arrive at the one that works (i.e., not to trip the air bag warning),

with their help. Sensible Solutions did have switches that worked for other more popular Porsche models (such as Boxter), but we all know 968 is not. But they do have the switch for 968 by now if you ask for it.



I am a mechanical engineer, not electrical, but Sensible Solutions seems to have the expertise to properly engineer a safe and functional switches. Check out their web site yourself. I'm not affiliated with them, just a happy customer.



If any of you are interested, I should probably post the switch part# and diagram on this site.

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[orphanowner]

My Sensible Solution for the failure prone first gen airbags in my 968 was the complete removal of both ballistic units, triggering sensors and control module. Cost me zip...

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[Bart]

I decided it isn't worth the risk of the bag being triggered when one of my children are in the front seat so I didn't do a switch. I removed the bags and installed the resistors.



Good Luck!

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[schwarz968]

[quote name='Bart' date='Jul 20 2006, 12:59 AM']I decided it isn't worth the risk of the bag being triggered when one of my children are in the front seat so I didn't do a switch.  I removed the bags and installed the resistors.



Good Luck!

[right][post="24340"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

Perhaps I am a bit uneducated but...I like the idea of the bag saving my life in a crunch. As far as damage to the vehicle goes, I am not sure if it totals the car or not. If both do, does one disabled and one operable do less damage? Does insurance frown on tampering with it to the point of no coverage, especially if the occupant is injured or killed? I like the kill switch as I regularly take my little girl to school. I often think of the thing going off by itself when going over a bump and wonder what it will do besides scare the heck of of both of us.



The switch appears to remedy my concerns for not hurting her...but alas, there is still the threat of oncoming idiots. What to do?



Here's a thought...anyone contact the manufacturer to see about a less volatile blow from the bag AKA 2nd generation?

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