tam993

I've got the air bag off whe steering wheel by removing the two T30 screws.
But it seem like that connector on the air bag is really on there....
Is that connector to the back of the air bag come off? If so how?
I'm afraid of breaking something, thought I'd check first.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Mark in Baltimore

Aaaah, the joys of airbag removal. The airbag should come off very easily, but it's the clockspring mechanism that's the bitch. You'll have to disconnect two orange connectors that are too far down the steering column to reach and in just too small of a space from under the dash to get your fingers around. I had to remove the footwell vent distributor box and use a pair of needlenose pliers to get the damn things off and used every expletive in the book, wasting about three hours in the process.

Do a search. Joey Bagadonuts did a good write up on it sometime ago. Also, here's something I had on my computer which may help. Good luck!!

Removal

1. Disconnect battery and cover terminal or
battery .

2. Remove driver airbag unit, undoing both
fastening screws with a socket Torx T 30
wrench.
Disconnect connector at airbag unit and at
steering wheel (for signal horn).
Note
To prevent inadvertent turning of the contact
unit (CU) when the steering wheel is
removed, the CU is locked automatically
when the steering wheel is pulled back.
In the same manner, the CU is unlocked automatically
when the steering wheel is placed
back into position.

3. Undo hexagon head nut and lift off complete
with spring washer.

4. Turn wheel to straight-ahead position.
Then mark position of steering wheel to
steering shaft (for reassembly). Take off
steering wheel (in straight-ahead position).
Note

Installation
1. Fit steering wheel with the wheels in
straight-ahead position or according to the
dismantling marks in such a manner that the
upper steering wheel spokes are horizontal.
Caution: Do not trap the wire of the contact
unit.
Replace the fastening screws whenever they
have been undone.
The airbag unit must always be stowed away
with the padded side facing up.
When the airbag unit remains removed for a
longer perdiod of time, it must be stored in a
safe place.
Observe safety specifications.
Steering 911 Carrera (993)
2. Fit hexagon head nut with spring washer
and tighten to 45 Nm (33 ftlb.).
3. Install driver's airbag. Use new fastening
screws.
Tightening torque: 10 Nm (7 ftlb.)
4. Check operation of signal horn.

tam993

Oh, Ok. So you dis-connect it at the air bag. The two lead connector to the back of the air bag comes off. Man, that sucker is on there... or may be I'm not using enough force. Do you pull it straight back from the air bag?

I'm just afraid of breaking something I guess...

swftiii

Tam,

I don't remember there being anything really hard to disconnect for the airbag from the Clockspring. The clockspring is the part that sits on the steering rack, has 4 wires that run under the dash, and has to be disconnected at the wire connectors tucked behind the dash. The airbag itself and the steering wheel can both be removed prior to removing the clockspring.

I can't remember very well, but will take a look at the airbag when I get home to remember exactly how to disconnect that. Don't forget to have the batter disconnected for 60 minutes or so before disconnecting the airbag.

-Skip

Todd B

The connector for the air bag is a right angle plug. You pull it straight out, like taking a plug out of the wall. It maybe tight, but if you try a wiggle it, you should be able to pull it out. Are you replacing the steering wheel?

mpgandco

Just unplug the one directly from the back of the air bag itself.don,t mess with the other one by the shaft.I just did this a couple of days ago and just disconnected battery,didn;t wait and removed steering wheel and airbag.Where does it say you have to wait.I put it back together and everything is just fine.I actully did it twice in 2 days.No problems

Mark in Baltimore

I must have one of those cars that was assembled by gorillas. My mechanic has reported similar difficulties in getting at those orange connectors and getting them separated. Congrats if your connectors were lubed with butter or KY.

milrad

I've had my air bag off many times, and it has always been quite easy once the Torx screws were loose. The plug connected to the back of the airbag pulls straight out. As Todd says, try wiggling it carefully. You don't mess with the clock spring unless you are removing the steering wheel too, but that's after the airbag is out of the way anyway.

FWIW, I disconnected the battery, turned on the lights, and waited a good 45 minutes before removing the airbag to avoid having the reset light come on or the bag deploy accidentally from any residual electrons floating around. I have no idea if this matters, but I figured it didn't hurt either.

Jason

tam993

Thanks, I got the connector off the back of the air bag. You guys were right, plulls straight out.
Man, that thing was on there.
I am removing the steering wheel to replace that back light for the OBC in the tachometer.
I suspect that is what's wrong. Light just went out one day.
PIA just to replace a bulb....