I just got a new Car
A 1997 Subaru Legacy Wagon [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
Before I install the stereo, I remember hearing horror stories of installs causing the airbags to go off during an install. This is my first install on a car with Airbags, and naturally I want to avoid this.

So, you pros who deal with Airbags every day, what safety procedures do I need to keep in mind while installing my deck / amps? Thanks.

 

If it only has a drivers side air bag, sit on the passengerside when putting in the deck [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] The only thing i ever heard of was not to use a test light and only DMM.

 

Keep an eye out for any wire bundles wrapped in yellow, or yellow flex loom. If you are using the proper harness for the deck it should not be a factor for you. And yes, multimeter, not a test light, from what I have also heard....

 

Disconnect your ground battery terminal before heading in to the dash [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ July 15, 2004, 12:52 AM: Message edited by: bigmike216 ]

 

Thanks for the Replies. I only have a DMM, I don't even have a test light so that won't be a problem.

Thanks for the ground suggestion Big Mike. Should I disconnect both the + and the - from the battery? If not, why only the - ?

Can anyone explain to me what it is in installing that causes the airbags to deploy? Thanks.

 

"...As a final note, disconnecting the battery in the vehicle does not necessarily remove the chance of the SRS deploying. Some systems have backup supplies which are designed to allow the system to work properly even if the battery is destroyed in the accident."

^That was lifted from bcae.

I've heard of a back-up lasting for three minutes after disconnecting the starter batt for the SRS. Don't know about Subaru's though.

I don't know why light probing the wires would cause deployment? Voltage fluctuation?

Gene

 

Taken from bcae:

"Airbag Warning: A test light can (read: will) set off a supplemental restraint system if the wrong wires are probed. These wires are generally (but NOT always) marked with yellow loom or tape. If you probe one of these wires (which may be in virtually ANY factory wiring harness anywhere in the vehicle), and set off a single airbag, you may easily cause THOUSANDS of dollars in damage. If you hit the wrong sensor wire and trigger ALL of the airbags, there may be enough damage that the vehicle may be totalled from the cost to replace the bags and the affected trim panels. Some airbag systems destroy the entire dash, the door panels and even parts of the seats when they deploy. This page shows how to use a test light to test for blown fuses in the aftermarket audio system that you installed (or are going to install). If someone asks you to work on a car with airbags, and you don't know what you're doing, DON'T do the install. If you're going to install a system in your vehicle and are going to be probing wires of which you don't know their precise function, use a multi-meter to find the appropriate wire. As a final note, disconnecting the battery in the vehicle does not necessarily remove the chance of the SRS deploying. Some systems have backup supplies which are designed to allow the system to work properly even if the battery is destroyed in the accident."

 

I am slightly worried by these posts. If I get a straight harness adapter I should be fine?

What was that about replacing blown fuses? I thought you just had to open the fuse holder, pop a new fuse in and you would be fine. Is this incorrect?

Where is the page that this BCAE stuff is coming from? I'd like to read more.

 

Here maltesechicken, it's a great resource.

bcae

Jeepbeats copied all they say about airbags. To find it use the search (#18 on the right side).

Gene

[ July 15, 2004, 05:14 PM: Message edited by: Fever ]