Jim Grant's Tech Tips
'97 Chevrolet Malibu, Broken Air Bag
Q:
I own a ‘97 Chevrolet Malibu, I just found out that the clock spring
is broken. I would like to know if there is any danger of the air bag
going off on its own? And also is it possible to deactivate both air bags?
How can it be done?....... Joel
A:
Joel, I will not be the one to tell someone how to bypass a safety device.
Though there are concerns regarding air bags, from what I’ve seen
at accidents they are an effective safety device. Like any safety device
it does have to be used correctly. I have not heard of a failed clock
spring causing an air bag to deploy. But the potential does exist if the
wrong wires make contact. Clock spring is a name used to describe the
winding of wires from the steering column to the steering wheel. These
group of wires wind-up and unwind, much like a clock spring as the steering
wheel is turned. Thus the name clock spring. My suggestion is to install
a new clock spring. In the event of an accident I would want every bit
of technology performing correctly. Being able to walk away is a good
thing.
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