Lotus is advising against using harnesses in conjunction with airbags. That’s why I want to remove them in my car.
Does anyone know, if it suffices to remove the SRS modul (little box next to the passenger airbag which operates the airbags and the inertia seat tensioners in the unfortunate event of a crash) together with the airbags to prevent the airbag light from coming on ?
or should I better leave it in place and plug in a small resistance of 2 Ohm to outwit the modul?
Although I did consider harnesses, i was put off for the same problem you have. The process of disarming/removing air bags was described to me briefly, but summarised by the lotus boys as ‘a nightmare’
What is the safety issue with an air bag + harness anyway in the event of an accident, or is it just red tape??
Why do you need to remove the airbag in conjunction with harnesses? The only reason I can see would be, because the pretensioners will not pull you into the seats to keep you further away from the airbags?
[quote=tim_marra]
What is the safety issue with an air bag + harness anyway in the event of an accident, or is it just red tape?? [/quote]
Not sure tim. I was never too fond of the Airbag Steering Wheel and bought a new one (same as used in the 2-Eleven )
Yes it’s Lotus Sport who are saying that they don’t recommend having harnesses and airbags both installed. I think it’s probably because they never did any crash tests and they want to be on the safe side.
Yes it’s Lotus Sport who are saying that they don’t recommend having harnesses and airbags both installed. I think it’s probably because they never did any crash tests and they want to be on the safe side. [/quote]
I think it’s that even Lotus sport are seen as a manufacturer, or at least being so close to the official one they have to be seen to tow the line etc. In part it’s why they will fit a harness bar at the factory & then only supply the belts ‘loose’ to the (fitting) dealer
Should be, I was always told 15 minutes was enough, but don’t blame me it it goes off in your face. As a side note if removing always keep the side that deploys pointing towards you, so if it does (however unlikely) go off it will push the airbag away from you
When I change my wheel to a Sparco didnt have problem with disconnection airbag. You will of course have airbag light on all the time. I have since refitted the original wheel but got dealer to do that so if the bag went off it was their problem
Some air bag systems stay charged for 60 minutes or more. Always disconnect the battery for at least 1 hour. When these things deploy it is rapid with a lot of initial force.
Unless a manufacture has done either an actual test or simulations they will have to advise against any untested situation for product liability reasons.
As you say a resister in the harness will stop the air bag light coming on (as long as it is not powered up with the harness disconnected).
Be very careful when working with air bags, there have been several fatalities, all when working around the dash area.
I used to have to deploy airbags before they could be shipped back for warranty and they are quite amazing when they go off in the workshop vice.
This reminds me of an instance when I worked at Fords Research centre at Dunton in Essex.
Walking through the testing area one day I noticed an ‘A’ board placed in the middle of the wide corridor, the board was placed ‘edge’ on and so you could not read what is said until you were right up level with it.
Anyway, as I approached and twisted my neck around to read what was on the ‘A’ board there was a tremendous BANG followed by what sounded like compressed air escaping at a very LOUD rate…
Fcuk me, I jumped a few feet into the air and broke out into a sweat, it was like a bomb blody going off - put the sh1ts up me I can tell you.
Oddly enough when the air bags went off whilst sitting in the Armco at the 'ring - I did’nt hear/feel a thing !!!
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