Can you turn airbag off on 97 GTS?

[LETHAL GTS]

I have 3 small boys who love riding in daddy's hotrod. My '94 does not have air bags and so is not a problem.
I'm dealing on a 97 GTS and when I looked at it, I forgot to look to see if the airbag can be shut off.
I can't go and look at it when ever I like because....well, just say it's a long story and I don't need to bore you with unnecessary details.
I figure some of you with your Gen II cars could let me know please.
Thank you,
TJ

 

[jcaspar1]

There are two ways to do it. You can have a passenger airbag defeat switch put in like the more recent Vipers. To do it correctly I think it requires a new dash as ours don't have the hole for the switch. Last I heard the parts were unavailable.

What I do is just pull the two airbag fuses. This will disable both airbags. You cannot disable only one by pulling fuses, only both.

 

[LETHAL GTS]

Thank you!!

 

[Lawrenzo]

The Dodge part #'s are/were #05011483AA for the switch and 0LB38JX8AH for the dash bezel. You will also need a NHTSA authorization to have it installed. Check it out at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/airbags/brochure/Req_Form.html

When I was looking for the parts a few years ago- they only showed one at the warehouse?? Maybe they have made up a few more kits by now!

 

[Marv S]

1998 was the first year Viper had the Passenger airbag switch. BUT, you can modify 1996 & 1997 GTS models and 1997 RT/10 models with a kit from Dodge. There is a TSB on it. installed it one hour labor.
Some people have just pulled fuses but there have been cases of airbag deployment due to ESD (electro-static discharge). While it's very rare, it would not be fun. This kit, as well as the 1998 and newer OEM units, ground the circuit when the airbag is switched off so static electricity is not a concern.

The Dodge Part numbers I got were :

05011483AA for the switch and
0LB38JX8AH for the dash piece bezel.

I got mine as soon as it came out and I've heard the above part numbers may have been superceeded. Some people had this on order with dealers for a year and got lost in the shuffle while other dealers were able to supply it promptly. Nancy at Woodhouse Dodge, 800 889 1893, is a good person to talk to about the kit.

As mentioned above, modification has been approved by the Feds (NHTSA) see the following TSB (technical Service Bulletin) that every Dodge Dealer has:

Service Bulletin Number: 08-17-98
Bulletin Sequence Number: 317
Date of Bulletin: 9812
NHTSA Item Number: SB603153
Make: DODGE
Model: VIPER
Year: 1996, 1997
Component: INTERIOR SYSTEMS: PASSIVE RESTRAINT: AIR BAG ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY
Summary: SUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG ON - OFF SWITCHES. *YC

There is also a TSB to disable the driver's airbag for medical reasons but I have not seen this done.

***** Of additional note: 1998 was the first year of "Next Generation Airbag" -- A less powerful airbag allowed by the feds.*****



<FONT COLOR="#ff0000" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">This message has been edited by Marv S on 09-02-2002 at 05:38 PM</font>

 

[Ron]

<FONT face="Comic Sans MS">While I did purchase the above mentioned switchable kit, I also purchased from Dodge a wiring package that disables the passenger airbag without a switch. More of a quasi-permanant solution, if that's what one is looking for.</FONT f>