Turn Off Passenger Airbag

[groundbased]

I have a 53 plate TDi Ghia 130. The manual is unclear as to whether the passenger side airbag needs to be switched off if ia child is using a booster seat in the front. It kind of says it's OK but you should push the seaty back as far as possible.

 

There doesn't appear to be a switch and the Ford dealer hasn't really been able to help. Does anyone have experience of this?

 

Thanks,.

[mumof4]

I personally would never use a booster seat in the front that has an airbag.it is dangerous as there was an incident a few years ago in America where a childs neck was snapped as he was sat in a booster seat in the front when the airbag went off.

 

I cant imagine any car manual saying its ok..just push the seat back???!!

 

IIRC..doesnt a child have to be a certain height/age to sit in the front..unless there is no where else for it to sit???Since the laws changed not too long ago im not sure on this.

[Bigjeeze]

Check your handbook the warning sign over the passenger sun visor and the panel inside theleft door - it's a definite no-no you cannot switch it off - no child seats in the front.

[insider]

Check your handbook the warning sign over the passenger sun visor and the panel inside theleft door - it's a definite no-no you cannot switch it off - no child seats in the front.

Definitely no rear-facing child seats in the front.

Front-facing booster seats are acceptable but not desirable unless the airbag can be disabled (which it can't in the Galaxy). That is why they suggest putting the seat back as far as possible to minimise any effect if the airbag deploys. It is recommended to only use the front seat with a booster cushion if you have no other option, i.e. you've used all the other five rear seats!

[Boozynights]

Hi, new to this forum and just spotted this post.

We have only recently bought our Galaxy (2000 1.9tdi) and we only went ahead with the deal because we were reasurred the passenger air bag COULD be de-activated - and indeed has been by the garage.

 

We too need to carry a child in the front, hence the need to turn it off.

 

Aparantly it was switched off via the ECU??

 

Got me wondering now if it really has been done??

 

Thanks for the eye opener!

[insider]

Some cars (Renault I believe) have key switches in the passenger door enabling the airbag to be disabled as and when required.

In cars without this feature it is possible to disable the airbag but this would have to be done by an approved garage and should be clearly indicated to future purchasers if you should sell the vehicle. Of course, it could be re-enabled again and you'll pay for the privilege each time!

It might also be possible to add a key switch disabling feature to the Galaxy. I am not aware of one but would recommend this is only done by an approved Ford/VW dealer.

[mumof4]

Hi, new to this forum and just spotted this post.

We have only recently bought our Galaxy (2000 1.9tdi) and we only went ahead with the deal because we were reasurred the passenger air bag COULD be de-activated - and indeed has been by the garage.

 

We too need to carry a child in the front, hence the need to turn it off.

 

Aparantly it was switched off via the ECU??

 

Got me wondering now if it really has been done??

 

Thanks for the eye opener!

 

If you are doubting as to whether it has been or not....then for peace of minds sake it may be worth having it checked to see if it has..

[Boozynights]

Already booked in to have it checked, car has been in garage more than on my drive!

[mumof4]

Already booked in to have it checked, car has been in garage more than on my drive!

 

 

Any probs you have with her..just post em.....Practically everything has been covered in this place...and sometimes we have more of an idea than garages do.lol.

[Boozynights]

Great stuff!

[Smilge]

Hi, new to this forum and just spotted this post.

We have only recently bought our Galaxy (2000 1.9tdi) and we only went ahead with the deal because we were reasurred the passenger air bag COULD be de-activated - and indeed has been by the garage.

 

We too need to carry a child in the front, hence the need to turn it off.

 

Aparantly it was switched off via the ECU??

 

Got me wondering now if it really has been done??

 

Thanks for the eye opener!

 

Hi Boozy ....... good post Groundbased. I personally wouldn't even consider putting a young child in the front. This is the first time I've heard that the airbag can be de-activated via the ECU. Perhaps someone with VAG-COM can confirm this? If the garage has said it has been de-activated I would take it back and get them to show you the evidence, anyway what if an adult is sat in the seat? I know the Mk3 Mondeos passenger airbag can be de-activated by plugging the seatbelt in with no-one sat on the seat, but any weight on the seat re-activates it. I know this isn't the case for Galaxys.

Edited August 8, 2007 by Bleeno

[AndeeeH]

Ka, Fiesta, Focus and C-Max can all be spec'ed with the option to turn on/off the passenger airbag using the ignition key in a lock ususally fitted in the glovebox. On the Ka the lock is on the top of the dashboard on the passenger side. For the S-Max and Mk3 Galaxy the "delete front passenger airbag" is a dealer fit option.

[johnswlondon]

ok,i ll stick my neck out (hey,somebody has to!)and say it hasnt been deactivated.

the reason i say this is that i think it is contrary to eec law to permanently disable safety equipment which comes as standard.in other words,if it is not switchable it cannot be disabled,and i think disabling via the ecu does not count as switchable.the porsche boxster has similar problems(its a 2 seater)and that is not switchable and the workaround is removing a fuse.

 

personally,i think the front seat is totally unsuitable for carrying a child

[Boozynights]

Interesting.

 

I'll get it checked out, and in the meantime won't risk it.

 

Thanks for the info :wacko:

[Boozynights]

Replying to my own post here :wacko:

 

If say the garage has just removed the fuse in the passenger airbag, would that not then show as a fault on the dash? The airbag warning has been showing, each time we take it back and they use a "key" to re-set it, and tell us it's because when we move drivers seat we are catching the plug for the airbag.

 

Could this be a load of tripe and the light is showing because they have taken out the fuse? - Is there a seperate fuse?

 

mmmmm, got me wondering now??

[insider]

Just one fuse (27) for all the airbags.

[mumof4]

so if you removed that fuse...none of the airbags would work???drivers????side airbags???.

That too me is far too risky...i wouldnt do it...i would keep all the kids in the back.

[seatkid]

I have personally been involved in a near head on collision and believe me, you're thankful for every safety device a car has!

You shouldn't consider messing about with the airbags at all. Its an essential safety item, just as the seat belts are.

 

Yes, the passenger airbag can be disabled via diagnostics....but do you really want to? If you do then you must stick a prominent sticker on the dash "Passenger airbag deactivated". - I wouldnt want to travel in THAT seat.

 

Imagine the ramifications if you have an accident - your passenger (or their family) may sue you and will the insurance pay out?- or will your injured child forgive you for this? And are you really sure that the airbag is disabled?

 

A lot of new cars have a switch to disable the passenger airbag - however they also have a prominent indicator on the dash that shows the airbag is disabled.

 

If you care about your kids, put them in the back.

Edited August 9, 2007 by seatkid

[Boozynights]

Goes without saying.

 

Kids in the rear in future :wacko:

[mumof4]

so why did you want to carry a child in the front??

[Boozynights]

Because there were times when we had more kids than adults in the car, there are only 6 seats with proper 3 point seat belts, 1 of which is the drivers seat.

 

We do, at times carry 6 children, so it was either lap belt on a booster, which I don't like - they can cause more damage, or have the front air bag switched off (which I was told was the safest method).

 

So other than put one in the roofbox, we were stumped.

 

We now however don't carry as many, so no longer a problem.

[Smilge]

Because there were times when we had more kids than adults in the car, there are only 6 seats with proper 3 point seat belts, 1 of which is the drivers seat.

 

We do, at times carry 6 children, so it was either lap belt on a booster, which I don't like - they can cause more damage, or have the front air bag switched off (which I was told was the safest method).

 

So other than put one in the roofbox, we were stumped.

 

We now however don't carry as many, so no longer a problem.

 

It is difficult Boozey particularly with a baby and only one adult driving ........ I managed to persude the Mrs to put the baby in a rear seat behind the passenger seat when she was on her own and strategically placed another rear view mirror so she didn't have to keep looking behind her. Even now when I'm on my own I stick the older kids in the back. Front seats ...... grown ups or awkward teenagers only!

[Guest wolfie]

pop into your local VW dealers and have a chat with the parts guy? VW did a air bag deactivation kit, consisting of a resistor to fool the air bag ecu into believing that the bag was still connected! and a large warning stick to alert your passenger to the fact of the air bag lack of operation, not sure if it's still on the parts listings but worth a look?

[Juris]

With VAG-Com it's possible to disable airbags. However Vag-Com doesn't recommend to access airbag module <_<

I have disabled passanger airbag and now every time I start engine I get warning message.

[NikpV]

interesting - what message do you get