2011.10.20 - Unplugged Airbag Computer
- Unplugged airbag computer
A while back I realized that I could see and potentially access the airbag computer through the hole left by the passenger air bag. I then realized that I could simply unplug it and remove the bulb from the gauge cluster rather than using resistors to spoof it. Unplugging it without removing the dash was no simple feat, unfortunately. It's possible to do in theory (though you need rather small and dexterous hands), but in practice I found that the connector was firmly frozen in place and I simply did not have enough leverage to remove the plug even though I was able to press down on the locking tab to release it. I had to mangle the defroster ducting a bit in order to get enough of my hand in place to pull on the plug while pressing/prying down on the locking tab from above the dash through the defroster openings. A little bit of prodding and massaging seems to have gotten the defrost ducting back into proper shape though.
A while back I realized that I could see and potentially access the airbag computer through the hole left by the passenger air bag. I then realized that I could simply unplug it and remove the bulb from the gauge cluster rather than using resistors to spoof it. Unplugging it without removing the dash was no simple feat, unfortunately. It's possible to do in theory (though you need rather small and dexterous hands), but in practice I found that the connector was firmly frozen in place and I simply did not have enough leverage to remove the plug even though I was able to press down on the locking tab to release it. I had to mangle the defroster ducting a bit in order to get enough of my hand in place to pull on the plug while pressing/prying down on the locking tab from above the dash through the defroster openings. A little bit of prodding and massaging seems to have gotten the defrost ducting back into proper shape though.