Accidental Airbag Deployment

[DonnyG]

So, when I was riding with UsedTJ at Carnage Hill, I noticed that his airbag light was on. On the way home it dawned on me, "that would have really sucked if my bags popped while wheeling." Is there any way to disable the entire airbag system on a late model (97+) Cherokee? I thought about just pulling the fuses. But if I set off the trigger, as soon as I put the fuses back, the bags will deploy. Beaker made a good point. Remove the switch that activates the system, leave it at home in a place that it won't be disturbed and then reinstall when done wheeling. Does anyone have any experience with this type of "mod"? And please, Detour, don't tell me to get an older XJ :roll: . Thanks er'body.

Donny

 

[Used-TJ]

I disabled mine unintentionally - after I replaced the steering box, I gave the wheel a spin to recenter it, but with no box attached the wheel went around like a dozen times. Durring the second revolution I heard the clock spring go.
good thing I don't have cruise control.

 

[Marty]

Does anyone have any experience with this type of "mod"? And please, Detour, don't tell me to get an older XJ :roll: . Thanks er'body.

Donny

Yeah... get a YJ

 

[DonnyG]

Marty, all I had to do was see that you left a post to tell that it was sarcastic. :?

But no, really, what do you guys think about removing the trigger switch? Do you have any different ideas? I really don't want to come down onto something and have the bags go off. I have much better things to buy than a grand worth of airbags.

 

[Marty]

Marty, all I had to do was see that you left a post to tell that it was sarcastic. :?

Sarcastic??? was trying to be funny dammit!!!! You'll have to excuse my dry sense of humor buddy :wink:


BTT......

 

[re-run]

If it's anything like the dodge spirit I used to drive you can just unbolt the airbag (the bolts on the back of the wheel) and unplug the connector behind it.

HTH

 

[DonnyG]

If it's anything like the dodge spirit I used to drive you can just unbolt the airbag (the bolts on the back of the wheel) and unplug the connector behind it.

HTH

The problem with that is that if I unplug it and then hit something that would normally set it off, as soon as I plug it back in, "KAPOW!!! :shock: "

 

[RI Earle]

I'm partial to older Red x'js Say 85/88 Right Detour?

 

[Rubi04TJ]

donny for the wheeling that you do.. and that the vehicle is your daily driver.. i would suggest to keep your airbags. You shouldn't have any problem with them. I have had airbags since my 97 when i got that in 98 and have many things and never had them go off. In my Rubi.. i popped up the front end one time and landed on teh bumper at a decent speed still nothing.. It really takes a lot to set them off. Your saftey should be more important to you. IF they go off on the trail chances are you needed them.

For someone like UsedTJ his rig isn't a daily driver and gets towed.

 

[Used-TJ]

I don't know where the sensor is on the XJ's, or how sensitive they are, but with all the beating mine has seen, I never tripped the bag.
I have never seen one go off on the trail either, even on rolled rigs - granted a roll from wheeling may not do enough damage to set off the bag.

 

[DonnyG]

Cool, thanks guys. I have decided not to screw with it. I'll just try not to hit anything too hard. NAXJA had alot to say about it too.

 

[Marty]

Cool, thanks guys. I have decided not to screw with it. I'll just try not to hit anything too hard. NAXJA had alot to say about it too.

Did the NAXJA guys also recommend you get a real rig

Sorry, couldn't resist

 

[jeep.xj.4x4]

If you are really set on getting rid of the airbag just pull it off and sell it on ebay. Airbags won't go off by accident, if your airbag goes off on the trail it will be because you smash into something hard enough to need the airbag, and at that point you'll have so much damage you'll have to think about making your XJ into a tube buggy! :lol: Leave 'em be!

 

[toyworx]

As has been pointed out already, you should just leave it alone. Most, and you could check with your local dealer on this, but most air bag systems won't deploy until you hit something stationary while traveling at speeds in excess of 35 to 40 mph. I have yet to see one deploy on the trail, and like the others have pointed out, if you hit something out there hard enough to trip the bag, you'll be happy you had it. :doh:

 

[re-run]

As has been pointed out already, you should just leave it alone. Most, and you could check with your local dealer on this, but most air bag systems won't deploy until you hit something stationary while traveling at speeds in excess of 35 to 40 mph. I have yet to see one deploy on the trail, and like the others have pointed out, if you hit something out there hard enough to trip the bag, you'll be happy you had it. :doh:

That depends on the airbag. I set one off in my dodge spirit at about 20 mph and they hurt, so i no longer believe in them, the seatbelt does a good job though.

It might be different for different cars cause my spirit was kind of a pile :frown:

 

[ClassicXJ]

Just to clarify the "switch" myth. The late model XJ doesn't use a bumper switch like most autos do. In theory the XJ airbag system use a sudden change in momentum to deploy the airbag. The control module that senses that change in momentum was put under the drivers seat but was relocated to under the center consol if you have the recall performed on your XJ.

And I wouldn't disconnect the system, it might affect your insurance if you ever got in an accident. I have never heard of someone's airbag deploying offroad cause the hit a tree or rock.

 

[jeep.xj.4x4]

......but it was a chick driving.

Enough said, Steve. Enough said! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:




:wink:

 

[beaker]

I had a friend get in an accident in a honda where the airbags went off. They blew his hands off the steering wheel and never touched him. Most expensive b**w j*b he ever had.

I'd hate to have it go off if as I was looking over my shoulder with my neck turned around. could hurt real bad. Though it would probably take a really serious hit to set it off. Judgement call I guess.

 

[DonnyG]

Cool, thanks guys. I have decided not to screw with it. I'll just try not to hit anything too hard.

Thanks Guys. Not gonna disco it.