Dumbest Question ever

[doobiess]

Ok yes ive never owned a car with Air bags but ive heard things about it.. Im about to install my stereo and for disconnecting the battery if i just disconnect the neg... it wont do anything to my airbags will it.. or is there some trick i need to know... thanks

[Bentley813]

The only dumb questions are the ones that aren't asked

BTW, I'm not sure but I don't think anything happens

[tommymcc]

this just has my name all over it, according to gm if you alter your factory stereo you run the risk of deploying an airbag, as for disconnecting the battery, if you do it you won't shock yourself as easily, but if your airbag sensor is tripped for some reason, it'll still blow when you reconnect the battery, i had an incident where my heater core cracked and water spilled in the floor and tripped the airbag sensor, but rather than deploying it only blew the fuse, i just so happened to be one of the airbag fuses that was tied into the radio fuse, so i changed the fuse to turn my stereo back on and when i cranked the car the airbag blew up, at the time i didn't know there was a warning label stating that changing fuses might trigger the system because the label is up near the front of the car under the hood, GM said that since i altered the factory electronics i triggered the system, but i think thats abunch of crap because they have the SRS system tied into about 6 other fuses, so you may think you only have a headlight fuse out but you really have a bad airbag system

gm knows of this problem too, they recently offered a deal to change the system out for me for free if i signed a waiver saying that i wasn't hurt and i wasn't going to sue, but i don't own the car anymore so i didn't sign anything and i told them to kiss my ass and i'd never buy another vehicle from them because they neglected to hear me out 2 years ago when it happened, i also know that this has happened to other ppl with ga's, some of them are filing a lawsuit against gm but i doubt they'll win

[Fishman]

I read your question and I think I have a solution. I have the same model of grand am, 95 grand am se 3.1L V6. I instaled a Sony CDX-M630 head unit. after shocking my self i disconected both terminals. Re-connected it all and nothing bad hapend. My car runs great, and my CD played is the best!:D

[doobiess]

Thx for all the responses... I got my deck in with no probs.. I was gonna install it directly but instead i used a harness.. to make it a little easier... My kenwood works great... thx guys

[DangerMouse]

Best to always use a harness. Good choice.

[nineteen88ga]

GM or not, most automobile manufacturers will try to discourage you from doing anything other than adding gas to your tank. F them all!

As long as an install is done propperly your not going to have any problems. If your at all hesitant make sure you let a profesional installer do the job. Not your buddy that "knows what he's doing", unless he is MECP certified. Chances are he dosen't know what hes doing.


Fishman, are you sure you shocked yourself or did you just have a power wire touch grond and saw it spark? Unless your dealing with some high current equipment, it is very hard to physically get shocked when installing a headunit, not to say it is totally impossible, just a little unlikely.

Remember....friends don't let friends install car stereos.

and....

Harnesses are your friends spend the extra couple bucks so you don't have to hack your car apart. Plus it makes the job 100% easier.

[matts]

not to mention if he did actually get shocked it's only a 12v system.....wouldn't do much more than scare ya

[DangerMouse]

Eh, voltage can burn you however mostly its the amperage that hurts. DC will simply contract your heart.

[doobiess]

actually ive been hit by 120 volt a few times... 12 volt i barely even notice.... but i have to admit.. im surprised to see this topic is still going lol

[DangerMouse]

Well, 80+ volts will hurt, I know this much.

Was once working on a PBX with my arm on the case (ground). Someone thought it would be funny to dial the extension I was working on. (Zap!)