Write-Up: Disabling and Removing the Airbag Module & Steering Wheel

One of my favorite Onion stories:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/30400

dam that's some funny shit chicken! To bad I have a 96. LOL

skuchin wrote:

Thanks for the tip on waiting an hour, I have heard stories about acidental airbag inflation, and I am a little nervous about playing with it.

A few weeks ago ac blower started acting up, not blowing then all of a sudden start, might have been my imagination, but it seemed like sometime it would start when I would turn a corner or hit a slight bump in the road. I would beat on sterring wheel/ dash above switch and could never make it come on. Now as few days ago it quit blowing completely, won't come on at all. Not on any setting.

That sounds more like a problem with the blower motor.

Bert

Hey Guys,

I'm new here, infact this is my first post. I wish a had found out about this site sooner. It would have saved me a lot of headaches trying to figure out some of the issues I have had with my Riv. Mine is a 1996 S/C Riv, It is Black Cherry on the outside and red leather on the inside. It looks great in and out except my steering wheel. I always wanted to replace the stock one with one with woodgrain. I had approached a Dealership a few years ago and they had an aftermarket unit to replace it, but it was around $700 and at the time I didn't want to lay out the cash. Now that the car is older fewer and fewer parts are available through the dealer including that steering wheel. Anyway, the point is, does anyone know where to get a replacement steering wheel that utilizes the audio controls and airbag?

Not sure about the steering wheel, but that car is holy-shit clean!!

Don't spend $700 on just a steering wheel. Trust me, for that kind of money you can do mild exhaust, FWI, HID lights, and replace all the stock speakers with a good $200+ left for gas.

Happy Riv-ing!

I googled around and I don't think there is any such beast, let alone one that would match the lines of the Riv's interior.

What's wrong with your stock wheel? If the paint's wearing off, repaint it with SEM. It'll be a PITA to pull, but good as new afterwards.

Thanks for the response guys! Yeah the paint is wearing off. I used Windex to clean the interior ( only use soap and water ) and it took off some of the color and soon after it started to look worse, the two pieces on either side are turning black. I guess I took off the protective coating and now it makes the rest of the interior look bad. I know it can be painted, but I think the woodgrain would look sharp. I knew I would regret not buying the one I saw awhile back. If anyone comes across anything, let me know please, Thanks!

Ooh, on a side note, can you get some more pictures of that woodgrain you have inside? I have the same interior and am trying to figure out which woodgrain kit to buy.

Also, the guy we use at my work for repairing interior trim, has a kit he can install for about $170 that would put a woodgrain panel across the top, and new stitched leather all round the rest. But he's here in St. Louis.

I like the exterior paint color, nice!

I thought I saw somebody put a caddy STS woodgrain-ish wheel on one. Seems like it shouldn't be too difficult.

deekster_caddy wrote:

I like the exterior paint color, nice!

I thought I saw somebody put a caddy STS woodgrain-ish wheel on one. Seems like it shouldn't be too difficult.

IIRC Corey was talking about it and the rest of us talked him down. No way the angular STS wheel will work in a curvy Riv interior.

EatDirtFartDust wrote:

Ooh, on a side note, can you get some more pictures of that woodgrain you have inside? I have the same interior and am trying to figure out which woodgrain kit to buy.

Also, the guy we use at my work for repairing interior trim, has a kit he can install for about $170 that would put a woodgrain panel across the top, and new stitched leather all round the rest. But he's here in St. Louis.

Here is a pic of the woodgrain in my car, I think it's called Burl Oak...

Too bad your co-worker doesn't sell that kit on-line.

i'll ask him aboot it

Well, I found a few places that will either wrap leather around your entire steering wheel or do a combination of leather and woodgrain. The problem is, you have to send them your steering wheel core, it takes awhile to do and the cost is still significant. So I am thinking of either taking mine off and painting it or replacing it with another stock steering wheel. However, I am having trouble finding a Riv steering wheel in my color, so my question is, does any other Buick have the same exact steering wheel as us?

Take a look at this product and see if will help with your steering wheel.?
www.leatherique.com./

BMD wrote:

Well, I found a few places that will either wrap leather around your entire steering wheel or do a combination of leather and woodgrain. The problem is, you have to send them your steering wheel core, it takes awhile to do and the cost is still significant. So I am thinking of either taking mine off and painting it or replacing it with another stock steering wheel. However, I am having trouble finding a Riv steering wheel in my color, so my question is, does any other Buick have the same exact steering wheel as us?

I ws emailing back and forth with Ed Morad about this. I failed to explain to him that I wanted a sound steering wheel but it did not have to have all the paint on it, because I planned to have it refinished. I'd just prefer to have it in Toreador Red so that it's not hard for the refinisher to match the paint.

Albertj

albertj wrote:

I ws emailing back and forth with Ed Morad about this. I failed to explain to him that I wanted a sound steering wheel but it did not have to have all the paint on it, because I planned to have it refinished. I'd just prefer to have it in Toreador Red so that it's not hard for the refinisher to match the paint.

Albertj

Thats pretty much my thought, finding a replacement steering wheel in the same colour will reduce the amount of coats you need to use to cover the original. The main reason I would like to find a second wheel is because I need to continue driving my Riv while I prep and paint the other before installation. The other reason is because my wheel has lost almost all of the texture on it. But my question remains... did any other Buick use the exact same steering wheel used in the Riv?

Here is a link to what looks like a good product...
http://www.parasolinc.com

@ Rick. Thanks for your link aswell, but I think my steering wheel is too far gone for that.

What about having it recovered by a really good upholstery place?

Perhaps you can buy a beat up wheel from a salvage yard cheap to use while your red one is being redone?

I too have a red wheel,...and that and the left upper seat boulster are the only things that don't look really good.

I've been keeping an eye on ebay and such for a nicer used wheel,...but I haven;t seen anything come up in any color. So I don't have much hope in finding one.

I've got a new steering wheel I want to put in the car soon and since it looks like I will be replacing my battery I thought this would be the perfect time to remove the airbag, so I wanted to ask if this procedure I found on-line for removing GM steering wheels is correct?

Before disabling the Supplemental Restraint System (SIR), turn ignition to the ON position and observe the air bag lamp in dash. This lamp should flash 7 times and then go out. If lamp remains on before or after the 7 flashes, a problem exists in the system and MUST be repaired before proceeding with the disabling procedure.

Disconnect the negative battery cable and remove the air bag fuse from the fuse panel

Disconnect the orange connector position assurance clip (CPA) from yellow SIR connector under dash.

1. Position the steering wheel so that it is pointed straight ahead. Write down all of your radio presets
as these may be lost when you disconnect the battery cable.
2. NOTICE - Disconnect the negative battery cable and wait at least 1 full minute for the circuit to
completely discharge before proceeding. CAUTION: Failure to fully deplete the backup power
supply could result in an accidental deployment and possible injury.
3. Using a 3-4mm (1/8”-5/32”) Allen wrench release the 2 spring fasteners by pushing inward through
the access holes. The access holes are located on both sides of the rear plastic steering wheel
shroud.
4. Lift and partially remove the airbag module from the steering wheel in order to expose the electrical
connectors on the back side. Take care not to pull on any of the wiring.
5. The airbag electrical connections have a safety locking connector-position assurance (CPA) clip that
must be disconnected before you can remove the electrical connectors from the module.
6. Disconnect the electrical connectors from the airbag module.
7. Remove the airbag module from the steering wheel and place the module face up on the floor, seat
or work bench. If you carry the module make sure the trim cover is pointed AWAY from your body.

The only thing that will happen is the Airbag light will be on and......that's it. SRS won't work until you plug it back in.

Cool, but I just wanted to make sure if this process is correct? and if leaving an air bag off for an undetermined amount of time is OK?

Anyone who tries this, please be careful. Make sure you are never in front of the steering wheel at any time during the procedure.

As long as you disconnect the battery, and your not probing around with a test light, you'll be ok.

I've only seen 1 airbag go off on someone during repairs, but that's cause the dumb ass FA!LED to abide by those rules and had the key on.....btw it was an entire side-curtain in a Yukon.

Well I followed the instructions I found online and successfully dis-armed the air bag system and switched my steering wheel. There are a few differences from the instructions in my first post.

DO THIS REPAIR AT YOUR OWN RISK. I DO NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY INJURIES THAT INDIVIDUALS MAY SUFFER FOLLOWING THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

Before disabling the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), turn ignition to the ON position and observe the air bag lamp in dash. This lamp should flash 7 times and then go out. If lamp remains on before or after the 7 flashes, a problem exists in the system and MUST be repaired before proceeding with the disabling procedure.

Position the steering wheel so that you can reach the 2 spring fasteners. Take the keys out of the ignition and put aside.

Disconnect the negative battery cable and wait at least 1 full minute for the circuit to completely discharge before proceeding. I wasn't in any hurry so I waited overnight, and also removed the positive cable.
CAUTION: Failure to fully deplete the backup power supply could result in an accidental deployment and possible injury.

Remove the air bag fuse from the fuse panel


Disconnect the blue connector position assurance clip (CPA) from yellow SIR connector under dash. To get to it you will have to remove the black plastic cover under the knee bolster by removing three 7mm screws. You will also have to unscrew the under dash courtesy light. I had to lie down on the floor to get to the SIR connector. It would be easier to get to if you remove the knee bolster, but that would require removing the dash, which I didn't want to do.





3. Using a 3-4mm (1/8”-5/32”) Allen wrench, release the 2 spring fasteners by pushing inward through
the access holes. The access holes are located on both sides of the rear plastic steering wheel
shroud. You could also use a ratchet and allen bit as I did.


4. Lift and partially remove the airbag module from the steering wheel in order to expose the electrical
connectors on the back side. Take care not to pull on any of the wiring.
5. Disconnect the electrical connectors from the airbag module. The airbag electrical connections have a green safety locking connector-position assurance (CPA) clip that
must be disconnected before you can remove the electrical connectors from the module. B, is the horn connection and C, is the ground for the horn, you pull both of these out. Once you have the horn connector out, you will see a spring. This spring can be stretched to increase the tension to provide better contact and for sensitive honking. I also lightly sanded the copper end on the horn connector, just to create a clean connection.

6. Remove the airbag module from the steering wheel and place the module face up on the floor, seat
or work bench. If you carry the module make sure the trim cover is pointed AWAY from your body.

Using a 13/16 socket, remove the nut that tightens the steering wheel to the column.

Next, use a steering wheel puller tool, to remove the steering wheel. Your gonna have to crank on it and eventually it’ll pop off.

This is what you’ll see when you’re all done.

Here is what my steering wheel looked like….

This is the steering wheel I got from the wreckers before and after.






I realized when I got home from the wreckers that it doesn’t have the stitching that the Riv’s steering wheel has. Still, it looks 100% better than my original wheel. One day I plan to put the Rivs' wheel there but not anytime soon. Hope this helps someone and remember to take all precautions seriously when doing this repair.

Has anyone installed a aftermarket steering wheel?

Mine looks terrible and i really don't want the air bag cause i'm really tall the only thing i'd miss is the radio controls but they are all worn off and just look bad too.

I installed now two Grant wheels. With the adapter, they fit great. If you want to get a product by Grant, I'd recommend the signature series. the horn button design kinda sucks on the Challenger series.
The airbag light will come on once you remove the OEM steering wheel. I'm not for sure but I'd guess it the system probably disables the passenger side air bag as a result of that "malfunction" state.