I have a '98 SW2 with a balky ignition cylinder that I have temporarily "fixed" with graphite powder. Eventually I'll install a new cylinder. Will disconnecting the - battery terminal disable the air bags, or is there something else I should do? Tx,

Mike

 

It is my understanding that the airbag control system board contains a battery which stores approximately 20 to 30 minutes of charge sufficient to deploy the airbags. It is designed this way so that if you are in an accident and one of the battery connections is severed, if another car comes along and he's your immobilized vehicle, the airbags still have an energy source and will trigger.

Not sure if the following is a good idea but here it goes. Disconnect the negative battery terminal. Then disconnect the positive battery terminal reconnect the negative battery terminal making 100% sure positive terminal cannot contact the frame of the vehicle or the positive terminal. You can ensure this by completely wrapping the terminal end in insulating material I e electrical tape.

Reconnecting the negative terminal gives the airbag sensor board battery a path to drain its charge.

I do not know where the control module is located in the vehicle, but you may be able to disconnect it at the board which will take the back of battery out of the system.

Guys, is this the right way to drain the airbag backup battery? I'm assuming that the s cars have them.....

 

You will probably have it last a lot longer if you get a new key cut from the VIN of the vehicle, not a copy of the worn key.

GM dealers can order special Saturn blanks meaning the blanks a Saturn dealer would have used. Just make sure to have photo ID, the title of the vehicle, and current registration, plus the person on the registration. If it's registered to your wife then the wife needs to be there 2ok the creation of a new key.

 

Thanks Derf. The G-force sensor, and maybe the control board too, is under the shifter on a 5 spd manual...I saw it when I had to replace the shifter bushing a couple of years ago. I put a pillow on it to prevent firing while I worked on the shifter. Sure wish I had taken a photo of it then! To get at it you have to remove the transmission hump plastic fairing. When I replace that ignition cylinder I will definitely remove said fairing and check the sensor/control module to see if I can disconnect it...while staying outta the way of the airbags should something unexpected occur!

Mike