Anybody done the Airbag cutoff retrofit?

Hi everyone,

I was installing a airbag cutoff switch on my 99 Vette and using the instructions on 97Vette.com. When I got to the point of actually hooking up the switch, the connectors for the airbag on the passenger side were smaller than the ones included with the switch. I called Fitchner Chevy where I bought the kit, and Bob told me this is a known problem and to go to the drivers side just above the gas pedal. He said there I will find the correct sized connector (which I did), HOWEVER I am very nervous that this is the drivers side airbag, and not the passenger side. He said he has sold 100's of the airbag kits, and said many have had this same issue. Does this sound correct, or have any of you heard of anything like this? I know things can change from model year to model year, so he may be right.

I just want to make sure that I am shutting off the right airbag!

Thanks!

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
This is a very dangerous situation, and I am glad you are asking questions.
First, look at the attachment, does the connector look like this?????
If so, you must look very carefully. Attached to the left side of the metal glove box support frame, is a plastic pin. If you removed the glove box door, you will see it, getting to it is the tough part.
Please let us know what you have and we can proceed.
Welcome to the CAC, c4c5

Thanks for the reply. Yes, the image you attached is what the connector on the car in the glove box area. This is the connector that is attached to the metal frame (you have to reach behind the frame to get to it).

I attached some pics to help give an idea of what I am looking at. Please excuse the quality. My camera doesn't do good up close.

Here's a picture of the connector in the glove box area (the smaller connectors ) :



Here's a picture of the connector that is attached to the switch (the larger connectors) :



And finally here is the connector above the gas pedal (that matches the larger connector on the switch) :



I also posted over at CorvetteForum and got an email just a minute ago that this connector issue has been encountered before, and the correct connector is the one above the gas pedal. I just want to make 100% sure. Does it show this in the service manual? Thanks again for your reply!!!!

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
The only sure way to tell, is the color of the wires used at each connector.
If you have the drivers side air bag wiring, the colors will be dark green for one wire, and white for the other.
The passenger side will be dark green with a white tracer, and a white wire, with a black tracer.
Wiring is absolutely critical, and if the wires are NOT correct, do NOT connect, as there is NO documentation that the connector for the passenger side air bag connector is on the drivers side.
The attached is the wiring diagram for your car, to the letter.
Please note the wires, and let us know.
Allthebest, c4c5

[1FASTDOG]

Originally posted by jreed99
Hi everyone,

I was installing a airbag cutoff switch on my 99 Vette and using the instructions on 97Vette.com. When I got to the point of actually hooking up the switch, the connectors for the airbag on the passenger side were smaller than the ones included with the switch. I called Fitchner Chevy where I bought the kit, and Bob told me this is a known problem and to go to the drivers side just above the gas pedal. He said there I will find the correct sized connector (which I did), HOWEVER I am very nervous that this is the drivers side airbag, and not the passenger side. He said he has sold 100's of the airbag kits, and said many have had this same issue. Does this sound correct, or have any of you heard of anything like this? I know things can change from model year to model year, so he may be right.

I just want to make sure that I am shutting off the right airbag!

Thanks!

Do it yourself is a great American tradition...BUT if you are any bit uncertain, particularly about something as sensitive as getting this right...get pro help!

Thanks!!!! I will go back out in a few and check to see what the wire colors are. Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, here's what I have :


On the passenger side connectors, one connector (which goes up to the airbag from what I can tell) has a Dark Green and a white wire connected. The other connector has a Dark Green with a white tracer and a White with a black tracer.

Now, the connector under the drivers side has BOTH White with a black tracer and Dark Green with a White Tracer on both connectors.

So, it sounds like we're back to square one. I got another email from somebody else that said the connector on the drivers side is the correct one. Who knows.

I'm going to go back out there in a minute and see if I can find the actual connector for the drivers side.

Just an FYI. I got an email from a fellow forum member, with some attached schematics. There is indeed 2 connectors for the passenger side airbag. One just to the left of the glove box, and a second one directly above the gas pedal. The retrofit kit will only work with the connectors above the gas pedal. I finished the install last night, and everything went in without a hitch. I will post those schematics later today (when I get home) if anybody will like to see them. Thanks everyone for your help, especially C4C5Specialist and a few additional forum members over at Corvette Forum. I have realized something throughout this that both these sites have a wealth of knowledgable people (ok, and maybe a few wacko's).

Thanks again!

I too would like to sometimes disable the passenger side airbag. Isn't there a wire into which we can wire an on-off switch? This would seem to be a simple way to do it.

Anyone know?

Personally I would not recommend just adding a on-off switch to one of the wires. I don't know exactly what the retrofit kit switch consists of. There might be something internal to the switch that keeps the airbag connected, but just disables it somehow. The reason I say this is if you just disconnect an airbag and leave it you risk cellphones/CB's, etc setting it off. You do not want to take the cheap route on this. I paid $110 for the complete GM Retrofit kit. Really a good investment, and it looks pretty close to factory once it's installed.

[marteeni]

What was the GM part number for this kit. I have an early 2000 convertible that I would like to add this option to as well. Thanks in advance.

I just had a cutoff switch installed on 7/9/03 by a shop that specializes in such things. As I felt that this issue was to important to take the risk of doing something incorrectly, I was happy to pay the small fee. The shop is in San Fernando Valley and they do Adaptive type systems for the handicapped. They were very thorough in the explanation of exactly what they were doing and the system seems to be working fine.
If anyone is interested in the name and number contact me direct.
Rob