bmfonda

iv been searching for specifics on how to get the air bag light off and still keep the passanger air bag fully functional when you install an aftermarket steering wheel that doesnt come with a bypass resistor that plugs into your clock spring. i couldnt find any specifics on how to do this so here it is.

if you have a BOSS hub (i believe) you leave the clock spring fully intact and they give you a bypass resistor that eliminates the air bag light and keeps the other air bags in working order. BUT if you have any other brand (like nrg) you have to deal with the annoying light always being on (unless you take out the bulb from the cluster), but what if you want the other air bag to work?

the info i gathered from calling Works Bell, who makes the bypass for the BOSS kit, is that the bypass has a two amp fuse and basically just acts as a resistor. yes everyone knows that. i read on another forum on here that the resistance of the driver side air bag is 2.7 ohms. so in theory you can just jump the two air bag wires together with a 2.7 ohm resistor in between. but i havent seen a full write up about anyone actually doing it and saying it works, just theory about it. you can buy a 2.7 ohm 1/2 watt resistor at any radioshack for a few cents but if you know anything about power flow youll know that it will blow (not send signal through) and catch fire when the 9-12 volts and 1-2 amps (9v*1a=9watt, 12v*2a=24watt) goes through that resistor. so in order to not set my car on fire when i get into a crash and still not have the passanger air bag go off, you have to buy anywhere from a 2.7 ohm 10 watt to a 3.9 ohm 10 watt resistor (i found they both work), which you can get at any Fry's Electronics or order online at RadioShack.
finally, heres how what wires/pin outs to jump together via this resistor.

the resistor you need to buy
Attachment 83516
this resistor was just to test it
Attachment 83517
the two on the right, connect the top and bottom
Attachment 83518
closer view
Attachment 83519
THIS IS HOW IT SHOULD LOOK, THIS IS WHAT TO DO
Attachment 83520
just tape this up however you want or cut the wires behind the connector and solder on the resistor. i chose to tape it up like this so if i get in a crash i can put the original steering wheel on to avoid insurance dropping me for tampering.
Attachment 83521