Quick Airbag Question

[binkleton]

Didn't know where to post this- so here goes. I need to remove the steering wheel trim to install a new steering wheel cover. To do this I need to disconnect the airbag. I have a 2021 Gladiator with the aux battery. The main battery has a ground connection with 2 cables. Is disconnecting both grounds form the main battery enough to safely handle the airbag? Or do I have to get at the aux battery and remove that ground also? Thanks in advance!

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[LouisvEarlleJT]

Disconnect the battery, both grounds, and keep them separate and you’re good to go.

Likewise I wouldn’t reconnect them until you have everything put back together.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Disconnect the battery, both grounds, and keep them separate and you’re good to go.

Likewise I wouldn’t reconnect them until you have everything put back together.

Yes - this - take the two ground cables apart from each other and stick the ends in gloves or wrap them so they can't touch ground or the main battery ground terminal.

 

[binkleton]

Thank You. This is what I thought, but needed someone to agree with me.

 

[Tank555]

I would only add, make sure there is NO power to anything, then you are good to go.

 

[binkleton]

Right. I guess I'll try turning everything on before I remove the airbag. Thanks

 

[Tank555]

Right. I guess I'll try turning everything on before I remove the airbag. Thanks

What I ran into was, I wasn't removing the right cable to the main battery, so the Aux battery was still connected and providing power to the dash, which means the airbag had power. Once I disconnected the proper cable, the dash was dead. I don't think you want the airbag going off while you are handling it? Once the power is dead, it's an easy job. I replaced the dash panels on mine and it was really pretty easy.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

What I ran into was, I wasn't removing the right cable to the main battery, so the Aux battery was still connected and providing power to the dash, which means the airbag had power. Once I disconnected the proper cable, the dash was dead. I don't think you want the airbag going off while you are handling it? Once the power is dead, it's an easy job. I replaced the dash panels on mine and it was really pretty easy.

That's why you take the cable "assembly" off the top of the IBS, and then you take the two cables apart and keep them from touching anything at all.
It's a totally safe, proven, perhaps over-kill, method of making bloody well sure "he's dead, Jim".

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

What I ran into was, I wasn't removing the right cable to the main battery, so the Aux battery was still connected and providing power to the dash, which means the airbag had power. Once I disconnected the proper cable, the dash was dead. I don't think you want the airbag going off while you are handling it? Once the power is dead, it's an easy job. I replaced the dash panels on mine and it was really pretty easy.

Tank, where did you get your color matched panels? They look really good!

 

[Tank555]

Tank, where did you get your color matched panels? They look really good!

It's a company called Distinction Applied, https://www.distinctionapplied.com/
You order the color you want and they send them to you, you replace the factory ones, and when you send the old ones back to them, you get like a $200 credit. They have all the factory colors and other ones, like Carbon Fiber and Camo. Really easy company to do business with. The only tricky part is moving the air bag from old to new, just follow the directions and make sure the power is off and it's pretty easy. I bought a kit that has the tools for removing trim and dash panels, makes it a lot easier.

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