Questions and Answers

Dodge Dakota Air Bag ON/OFF Switch Q. Vincent: I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab and due to recent family expansion I am hard up for room. I have sent my application to the government to have the air bag disarmed and they assured me this is no problem and I will soon have the form back. When I approached the manufacturer regarding details on the possible ways of doing so they were all but cooperative.

I have since found they do sell a ON/OFF switch but they would not even tell me about how it operates or how it is installed their response was bring it to me with your check book in hand and we will look after it. I am very mechanically inclined and have a back ground in electronics.

I would think that this project would not be a huge ordeal but I may be mistaken. The switch they have is $260.00 which seems unrealistic and they are estimating two hours for installation. This would amount to just over $500.00 installed. I live in Ontario Canada and would appreciate your thoughts and recommendations.

Yours truly,
Brian

A. I know I'm not the brightest bulb in the marquee, but I don't see how disarming the air bag will make more room in the truck.

This is the procedure for replacing the Air Bag Deactivation Switch. You, obviously, only need to do the installation part.

Important Note: Before installing any airbag ON/OFF switch for air bag equipped vehicles, the owner must obtain an "Authorization Form" from the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), certifying the specific vehicle by its vehicle identification number. These forms are available from your dealer.

I do not know the laws in Canada, but I would check and make sure you have all the proper paperwork before installing the switch and be sure if you, yourself, can legally install it, or if it must be done by the dealer.

WARNING: The airbag system is a sensitive, complex electromechanical unit. Before attempting to diagnose or service any airbag system or related steering wheel, steering column, or instrument panel components you must first disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable. Then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further system service. This is the only sure way to disable the airbag system. Failure to do this could result in accidental airbag deployment and possible personal injury.

REMOVAL:

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. If either of the airbags has not been deployed, wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
2. Remove the lower bezel from the instrument panel.
3. Remove the three screws that secure the passenger side airbag ON/OFF switch to the back of the instrument panel lower bezel.
4. Remove the passenger side airbag ON/OFF switch from the instrument panel lower bezel.

INSTALLATION:

1. Position the passenger side airbag ON/OFF switch to the back of the instrument panel lower bezel.
2. Install and tighten the three screws that secure the passenger side airbag ON/OFF switch to the instrument panel lower bezel. Tighten the screws to 2.2 Nm (20 in. lbs.) .
3. Install the lower bezel onto the instrument panel.
4. Reconnect the battery negative cable.