Disable SRS code for steering wheel

[MHambrice]

Just purchased a steering wheel from a Canadian e31 without an airbag. Has the #11590659 around the shaft input. Is there a way to disable the code with a resistor or anything else I can do to keep it from throwing an airbag/srs code?

[DUDMD]

Yes. I installed a non-airbag wheel in my buddies E31. A resistor did the trick.
Unplug the battery when removing the airbag and only plug it in after resistor is installed, or you'll have to have it reset.
On some cars, I can also delete the airbag component from the system with diagnostic software, so you don't need to do anything at all with the wiring.

[clockwork]

read the section called Installation, without airbag.
http://e31wiki.org/wiki/Steering_wheel_swap
that tells you how to work around the airbag light on your dash

[MHambrice]

Thanks to both of you. Clockwork that is exactly what I was looking for it has the type resistor I need, thanks.

[dudu850]

Or just unplug the SRS module....

[clockwork]

dudu, where is the SRS module? you mean the brain thats inside the dash?

[Max Lumens]

dudu, where is the SRS module? you mean the brain thats inside the dash?

That's right. The entire air bag system is an add-on to the wiring harness. Look for orange plugs under the dash and pull them.

[dudu850]

dudu, where is the SRS module? you mean the brain thats inside the dash?

Yes, that is. On the first series ( < 94 iirc ) it is located under the passanger side dash. Something like this...

[MHambrice]

What is the best way to get to it? can you go under the dash or does it have to come out?

[clockwork]

That's right. The entire air bag system is an add-on to the wiring harness. Look for orange plugs under the dash and pull them.

Bill, if you unplug the two orange harnesses, you'll get NO error on the OBC or dashlights?
Seems to be too easy of a work around.
Wish I knew this years ago when I had my entire dash out of the car when doing the heater core replacement. Could have been really easy then to unplug

[MHambrice]

Found the module 3 orange plugs, if I unplug these do I still need to disconnect the battery, will do anyway for safety, but as far as lights and warnings, do I need to?

[dudu850]

... if you unplug the two orange harnesses, you'll get NO error on the OBC or dashlights?
Seems to be too easy of a work around.

Correct... no errors at OBC, no light at cluster, no nothing...

[MHambrice]

Great that is what I wanted to hear. Thanks everyone, esp. DUDU850

[clockwork]

Correct... no errors at OBC, no light at cluster, no nothing...

awesome, thanks dudu850. will be doing tonight, cause I've had an airbag error for about a year now and I just installed a non-airbag 3 spoke wheel with resistor in line, incase the clockspring was bad, and it still did not solve the issue. So I may as go to the source.

Done! Unhooked all 3 plugs and no more bothersome airbag error on the cluster!!!! Amazing and much easier than modifying the cluster to "short" out the light