FirstPorsche

My friend is going to start racing his 1989 944 Turbo and was wondering how to successfully unplug the air bag. Apparently, if you just unplug it the red "!" comes on and stays lit. Is there some way to trick the circuit so that the air bag can be unplugged with no other side effects?

Thank you!
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Z-man

Why would you want to unplug the airbag when racing? If you get hit, don't you want the airbag to protect you, regardless of where you are driving?

I do DE's with my 944S2 equipped with dual airbags. Just like ABS, it's nice to know my airbags are there, just in case... (At this point, I don't have a cage yet, either!)

But your friend has the right idea: that "!" can go on due to a multitude of problems: you wanna be able to see it go one if something other than the airbag is mis-behaving!

Just my $0.42
-Z.

Riff

There have been some cases (none I have seen firsthand, but have been reported on the email lists) of 944 airbags deploying in cars WITHOUT a collision. This has occurred on the track at DE's if I remember correctly. Just something to think about. I have a Momo Competition steering wheel in my S2, no achtung light illuminated.

Cheers,

Dave H.

a 3 ohm resistor across the airbag plug should take care of the light...

ringo951

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by David R. Hendrickson:
<strong>a 3 ohm resistor across the airbag plug should take care of the light...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">At what pins?

ninefiveone

I have seen airbags deploy in DE's firsthand. Twice I've seen them deploy under heavy braking in a bumpy corner. Very dangerous as it's hard to maintain control of the car as an explosive goes off in your face. Not to mention they will break the windshield.

You're wise to unplug them.

At DE's you are belted in securely. Imapacts at the track are rarely head on which are the only situation where steering wheel and dash mounted airbags are useful.

FirstPorsche

Thanks for the replies, guys. He has thought about the pros and cons of having an airbag but it seems to make more sense to NOT have them during a wheel to wheel racing event.

To follow up on Ringo's question: What pins?

Thanks to all.

Dan Gallagher

I have 5 point harnesses and the only way i am going into the steering wheel is if my roll bar breaks off its mounting points. The airbag will just be an explosion in my face that will just make the situation worse.

streckfu's

I thought there is feature that prevents the car from starting with the airbag computer disconnected. Is this true and if so, how did you get around it?

boostaholic

Also consider your steering wheel grip during track events. If you cross your arms and the air bag goes off that could be trouble

Dan Gallagher

I'm convinced. airbags are coming out as soon as i save the money for a new aftermarket steering wheel. I want a quick release hub anyway, i keep crushing my leg against the wheel when i climb over the side of my seat.... flattened 3 packs of cigarettes in my pocket so far.

Blackbird

If you cross your arms during a track event that could be trouble anyway (even if the airbag doesn't go off) Better technique is to shuffle, or release one hand and reposition it.