03 airbag switch

stlmaj · July 5, 2003

I have a 03 GMC Sierra 1500HD Crewcab 4X4. I do not have the onstar system. My rearview mirror does not have a airbag off light and there is no keyed switch like my 2000 ext cab had. I read the manual and think that I have the sensor in the seats that automaticaly turn the airbag off when it senses a fwd facing child seat?? I put a Fwd facing car seat in and I had no indication that the air bag system was off. I know that it is not suggest to place a child in the front seat I just want to know how to turn it off should the occasion arise. if there is no indication then can i add the air bag off keyed switch? Currently the spot where this switch goes is just a useless storge hole!

seadoons · July 5, 2003

It seems like in all of the crew cabs, ford, chevy, etc., there isn't an airbag off switch because you have a full backseat to put the child seat in. It the same reason the suburbans, tahoes, etc. don't have the switch. I don't think I would mess with the airbag, cause the only time you are going to find out if it works when you want it to or doesn't work when you don't want it to is when you get in an accident.

frdfandc · July 5, 2003

can i add the air bag off keyed switch?

Like previously stated, the reason for not having the air bag switch is because of the full size rear seat. Also you will not be able to install an air bag deactivation switch due to federal regulations. For an air bag switch to be installed you must first have doctors approval stating that you have a health problem that would be detrimental to your health from an airbag deploying. Secondly after that you must present the doctors recommendations to the government stating why you can't have an activated airbag in your vehicle. Thirdly this procedure only applies to drivers side air bags.

k1500chevy97 · July 5, 2003

hmm my activation switch says off while my mirror says auto

AirForceAngler · July 6, 2003

I know that my brother-in-law's 03 Avalanche's passenger airbag is controlled by seat pressure. While I was riding in it the mirror said it was on, I lifted myself out of the seat for a few seconds and it turned off.

n8huntsman · July 6, 2003

My escalade wiring harness on my silverado had a slightly different plug on the air bag sensor. So i havnt hooked it up yet. The air bag light is on on the dash. So i suppose if you wanted to you could hook up a switch to one of the wires off of the sensor. but that would shut them both off. Its up to you. It doesnt bother me. I dont have to have it inspected, and people did without air bags for many years so i think(or at least i hope) ill be fine without it. Plus the truck has already been totaled once. It wouold kinda be like getting struck be lightning twice.