QuestionMy husband needs my van for work for a few weeks and I will need to use his 97 Sebring convertible with a child in the front passenger seat. How can I disable that airbag so that my son is safer? (The backseat will be full with our other children.) Thank you!
AnswerHi Grace,
Here are the steps from the '98 Manual which applies no doubt to your '97:
Disconnect and remove negative battery remote cable attachment from left side strut tower under the hood; remove fuses 16 and 17 from under the dash.
Open and lower glove box fully to gain access to the 6 air bag module mounting attachments. You don't have to remove the glove box.
Disconnect wire connector to the module. (It is likely that just disconnecting the plug to the airbag will disable it without having to remove the module entirely. See note below about checking with the Chrysler Corp. or ask a dealer if that is all that is needed).
Remove the 4 nuts and 2 screws that attach the module to the instrument panel collar (the 4 nuts appear to be on the vertical studs, the 2 screws are horizontal at the front edge (as viewed).
Lift module up and out of cavity.
That is it. Replace the fuses and finally the battery cable.
The airbag warning light will probably remain on all the time.
You might inquire at the Chrysler.com web site for any further issues about testing to make sure the other air bag for the driver is still going to work if needed, as there may be something needed to verify that, using a diagnostic readout box, etc. The above just describes how to remove the undeployed passenger bag, or just simply pulling the electrical plug on it. Never pull the plug without first disconnecting the battery cable and fuses as otherwise it could go off when you pull the plug!
Roland
PS Use the "thank/rate" tab to get back to me with any questions/comments, without having to wait for me to be available. If you have trouble finding the attachments let me know and I can xerox and postal mail you the page that shows them in the manual,
