airbag switch for Golf Cabrio MK 3.5

[stevenYM]

Dear all,

Does anyone know if its possible to fit a switch to disable/enable the passenger airbag? If not wouldyou recommend I simply disconnect it?

Steven

[brad]

Isn't there a sensor in the seat that only enables the airbag when there is weight on the seat?

[The_Hawk]

AFAIK (in the Mk3 at least) you will get an airbag warning if you simply remove either of the bags. I'm also sure I read somewhere about a 'thingy' (technical term) than plugs into where the bag goes that essentially reports that all is well.

[stevenYM]

I understand that it is possible to simply disconnect the passenger airbag - but if this is done it causes the airbag light to come on and it may disable all the airbags. I have also read that to avoid this you connect a resistor accross the open connector that prevents any error occurring. However what I want to know is if anyone has managed to fit a switch that will reversibly enable and disable the air bag?

Any thoughts anyone?

[The_Hawk]

I understand that it is possible to simply disconnect the passenger airbag - but if this is done it causes the airbag light to come on and it may disable all the airbags. I have also read that to avoid this you connect a resistor accross the open connector that prevents any error occurring. However what I want to know is if anyone has managed to fit a switch that will reversibly enable and disable the air bag?

Any thoughts anyone?

If you can use the resistor, there is no reason you can't have a switched circuit with connects either the airbag or the resistor....

... theoretically

[stevenYM]

Thanks Hawk... I just wondered if anyone has actually managed this, or if anyone has a VW with a switch in the glove box as I believe some of the later versions do...

I would hate to have the airbag suddenly go off, just as I lean into the glovebox to press the switch!!

Steven

[Golf Loon]

Why do you want to disable a life saving safety feature??
Its surely illigal too.
It cant go off unless a solid bit at the front of the car is jolted head on, there is a control unit under your centre console.
SEATs all have provision for 2 airbags. The cars that only have one airbag have an inline resistor plugged into the passenger airbag connector. That is the part that would do what you want. I just dont understand why you`d wanna do it.

[stevenYM]

Golf Loon, In the UK its illegal to fit a rear-facing child car seat to the front passenger seat when that seat has a passenger airbag that is active. I think this regulation applies even if the front seat has some sort of weight sensor. It looks like I need that resistor... just need to find out how to get it and fit it without losing the code on my radio orhavethe thing go off!!

Steven

[Golf Loon]

Cant you put the baby seat in the back??

You can get a resistor from a SEAT Toledo or Cordoba or Ibiza with only one airbag.

[brad]

Cant you put the baby seat in the back??

You can get a resistor from a SEAT Toledo or Cordoba or Ibiza with only one airbag.

You might be able to fit the seat in....... but you would probably have to put the roof down to get the baby in & out. If it's the electric roof, this would be a pain in the bum.

The rear of the Mk3.5 Cabrio is suprisingly roomy but the rollover hoop makes some backseat operations difficult. I wish the OP would have explained this in the first place - I was thinking he was a nutter.

Congrats on the new baby OP.

[stevenYM]

Thanks Golf Loon & Brad. Will have to find a local wreckers yard for that resistor plug...

Thanks also for the kind wishes but the new baby isn't supposed to be arriving for 6 months or so...I am planning ahead!!

Brad's quite right about the car seat maneouvres on the back seat, but the other reason is that we're carrying 3 other children in the back already!!!

In fact we bought the car because its the only car I could find that could effectively be a 5 seat cabriolet!! (if you ignore some really ancient and rubbish Ford escort cabriolets!)

Because the Golf Mk3 has isofix anchors, and because they're evenly spaced, we have an isofix middle rear car seat and still have two rear passenger seats with 3 point belts!!

Anyway its good that we won't be having any more children after this next one...

Thanks again

Steven

[brad]

Brad's quite right about the car seat maneouvres on the back seat, but the other reason is that we're carrying 3 other children in the back already!!!

But what about all the associated kids stuff? One of the main reasons I sold my Cabrio was because despite the largish boot, nothing would fit through the opening and I was constantly carting stuff on the back seat.

[sydVR6]

Yeah, props for running a Golf cabrio, with a growing family... One Less MPV!

But - where do you fit the prams?

: )

[stevenYM]

At the moment the Cabrio works pretty well as a family car during the week and for trips to shops. A lightweight stroller and a changing bag fit in the boot. There's even room for shopping... as long as you don't buy anything big - which because of the kids we can't afford anyway!!

For trips further away though,when you need to bring a suitcase or 2 we have to use the MPV. I agree that if the cabrio was our only car we wouldn't cope.

When the 4th child arrives - I'll just let the wife drive the car with the kids and I'll just stay at home - for peace and quiet atlast!!

So in conclusion - with the way the seats are set up, the Cabrio will be fine during the week... even after the new arrival - as long as I can disable the airbag!

Steven

[Mrk_Mickey]

You're a fighter mate! Four kids and you're not worn out? Props...hahah. Good luck with your airbag switch, I wanna see a pic of a cabrio FULL of kids when it happens