[Theresa Shank]

I have had serious back surgery and do not want air bags going off in my 2001 Venture van. Is there a way to disable this system safely??? THANKS THERESA

[Vortech 4.3]

i disconnected mine, in my 97 s10. all i did was to remove the wire harness. so just disconnecting the harness should work for you. if you try this, disconnect the battery first.

[73oldsman]

Do a search on the internet concerning this matter. There's a lot of info. You may also want to contact your dealer concerning this matter. There are liabilities in this situation and I don't think too many people here are going to tell you how to do it, even if they know. Thanks and have a good day! Also, here's a couple of links to get you started... http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/.../airbagqa.html, http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/inju...pplbag.qa.html, http://xoib.com/reviews/11-904-frequ...ons-read.shtml

[joe350s10]

Ok, first of all, why do you not want the airbags to deploy?

Secondly, If you are sure you want to disable the airbags, you will need to locate the fuse for the airbags. remove this fuse before you unplug ANYTHING having to do with the airbag systems.

Then disconnect the battery and wait AT LEAST 15 minutes. Airbag systems have a backup power source in case the battery is disconnected/severed from the system in an accident. Failure to wait for this secondary power source to dissipate can result in the airbag deploying while you are trying to disconnect it.

Make sure that after you pull the fuse and disconnect the battery you wait at least 15 minutes.

after that amount of time it is safe to disconnect the airbags.
The wiring and connectors for the airbags will be bright yellow and clearly labeled in most cases. make sure that the open ends of the connectors can't make contact with any other wiring or metal or the bags could deploy when the power is reconnected.

[docvette]

Originally Posted by Theresa Shank

I have had serious back surgery and do not want air bags going off in my 2001 Venture van. Is there a way to disable this system safely??? THANKS THERESA

Doc here,

Well, first of all..Don't have an accident!! (I know , we don't plan these things..)

Second, Do you want to disable the Driver or passenger side airbag?

On a 2000 might be current enough to have a passenger select switch..these were included after they found airbags could kill a child in a childseat..Check with your dealer about this, they usually hide them in the glove box.

Also you need to determine if disabling the Airbag SRS system will cause a negative Effect on the BCM (body control module) and throw a code that could disable the ignition system..Your dealer can help there.

Other than that, As everyone said, Be Very careful disconnecting the system, or you could false trigger it and injure yourself worse.

Doc

[Dave E Shank]

We had van checked with Code Reader. It showed " No Response" which the man said meant that system was not getting power. Checked fuse and it showed okay. Man said not worry, because system would probaby not self discharge while driving normal down street??? I hope not DAVE

[vicrod]

Now, let me think.

You are going down the road at 50 mph and a tri-axle pulls out in your path.

However you try to steer and brake, you crash into an immovable object.

Do you want the air-bag? Or do you want the hard whatever?

That's the bottom line--- Give me a break!

vicrod

[GypsyR]

I can't imagine a circumstance where disabling the airbags would be beneficial to a person who has had any kind of back surgery. If you have fears of such things, I'd suggest you bring it up next time you visit your doctor(s) and get his/her/their opinion.

[lowROLLERchevy]

see chapter 7 here :

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testin...sABDeactiv.htm

The panel did not recommend disconnecting bags for previous back or neck surgery

if you can sit a proper distance from the airbag, your safer with it on then you are with it off, its that simple

[73oldsman]

Good point! Doesn't back surgery normally help the back condition, not make it worse? I imagine there are exceptions though.