i'm looking at using a 95 montecarlo dash in my 81 elky..... looks like it will fit, but does anyone know how to disconect the bags without setting them off???? i'm not too concerned about the drivers side, as i will be taking the steering wheel off anyhow to use the column..... but the pass side, i'd like to have intact... i've heard that you can not just unplug them or they will set off......... true? anyone?

I believe that is incorrect. If that were true then removing the Battery would also set the airbags off, essentially that is exactly what you are doing when you disconnect them How can something that operates electrically do anything without power?

Maybe whom ever got the Air Bags confused with say "Land Minds" or something. :P

So the mere act of disconnecting should not set them off. It is common that some small current is passed through the air bag ignitor every time you start the car as that is part of the system integrity check.

But they should be treated with a lot of respect. I note that they use a seperate wiring harness with alternate colors to identify the harness for just this reason.

You want to take the low risk approach? Disconnect the battery and leave the car sit for a few hours (the air bag controller has a limited amount of back up power). Then disconnect the air bag at it's connector.

If you plan to not use the air bag "feature", I would make a termination connector for the air bag connector. You want to make sure that no spurious ESD discharges can get in there and trigger the ignitor.

You need an impact sensor to use the airbags, without it the airbags will not deploy. Are you doing this dash conversion for the safety advantage of the airbags? If you are concerned about safety a 6-point properly installed racing harness is more effective and a whole lot cheaper.

If you are concerned about safety a 6-point properly installed racing harness is more effective and a whole lot cheaper. And a lot more bad a$$. 8)

All I can say is to use alot of caution when working around airbags. I've hauled alot of the propellent from the manufacturer. It is all either Class 1.3 or 1.4 explosive :bomb: . The people at the plants tell me it's like having a shot gun shell pointed at you. 8O So just use alot of caution :!:

anymore info?