Working on airbags, legal? Options

[senick]

I bought my 6g and it had already been in a crash, so the steering wheel is not in good shape. I'd like to replace the airbag in it, but I'm concerned that might not be legal to do myself. If it is OK, is it a fairly straightforward procedure?

[Stambo]

Before you start working on it disconnect the battery and let it sit for atleast 30-60 minutes.

[senick]

30 minutes? I'd planned on being cautious but that far exceeds what I thought was necessary. Anyway, thanks for the help, and I'd appreciate any more input.

[trdproven]

take out your srs fuse as well.

[Smaay]

you dont have to wait any time, look into getting a 7th gen celica wheel then modify the wiring to support the new airbag. its not hard to do, in fact its really easy

[senick]

So I take it I'm not breaking any law by changing the airbag myself. If I'm sticking with the 6g wheel, is it just a simple matter of popping out the airbag and wiring in the new one? Seems like a 5 minute job, am I wrong?

[mkernz22]

yes, it's a 5 minute job. I have a 95 and after I got into my accident, I just said screw airbags. You did replace the one in the dash right? and the sensors and airbag ECU?

[senick]

Well to be honest, it's more of an appearance issue than anything. I just don't like having a steering wheel with a huge tear in it. I'd change the whole wheel, but I figured it would be easier and cheaper just to put in a new airbag. But I should have mentioned that earlier...

[mkernz22]

well if you haven't gotten a new ecu, make sure you unplug it first! it's right under the center console. You have to remove the shifter surround and then the center console. The trim piece pops off and the center console comes off with 4 screws and 2 bolts. Once that's off the ECU for the airbags is right there. You can just unplug it and leave it and not having to worry about the new airbag going off. You can take a out with a t40 or t50 driver. I deleted my whole airbag system lol No wires for the airbags at all

[SleekCelica]

you're not breaking any laws, and you don't technically have to disconnect the battery, as just disconnecting the airbag connectors won't set one off, but if you're worried about accidentally setting one off, it never hurts.

[Stambo]

i just say 30 minutes because of the fact the srs system has capacitors that hold a charge just in case if the car dies and you hit something.

[trdproven]

basically remove your battery and air bag srs fuse and wait a bit to discharge. make sure your air bag replacement is correct, if not tell us which one you have. use torx tool to remove side screws, pull the old airbag forward, put in new one, plug in harness, screw back. test horn, cruise control, etc. check for air bag error code. if you have a 3 spoke wheel, there are two different compatible bags with different harness connections, that you would need to find out and let us know.

if your wheel is stuck on there, get a steering wheel puller. fastest you can do this is under 30 minutes for sure.

[Rymaster]

I'm actually going to be replacing my airbags soon too from when i crashed. I've been driving without them for the past 2 years.

Can't you just reset the airbag ECU instead of buying a new one? I thought i read this somewhere... i'll search for it later when i have time and post in here if so.

[Rymaster]

Ha look, I found an old thread i made! lol

it has a link in my post to what i was talking about =P

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showto...7&hl=airbag