anyone add a air back off switch

84john · December 30, 2001

just realized today that i dont have one! last two trucks had one just assumed this one did! (was going to buy 2500hd 4x4 crew cab) never bothered to look to see if avy had one! i definately need one , three little kids and always hauling something.

GMNewProductInfoCenter · December 30, 2001

ALL VEHICLES WHERE A FRONT SEAT COULD NEED TO BE UTILIZED WILL HAVE AN ON/OFF SWITCH. THE AVALANCHE CAN HAVE THE REAR SEAT LOWERED AND THUS USE THAT AREA FOR CARGO SPACE SO THE ON/OFF SWITCH IS NECICITATED.

84john · December 30, 2001

unless i am blind (maybe i am) ithere is no on/off switch on my av. i'll go look again

ryr8828 · December 30, 2001

What in the hell does "necicitated" mean? ???

Greg · December 31, 2001

No airbag cutoff switch in my av. Instead, I've got a nice spot to hold my cellphone when on the road.

Shaners · December 31, 2001

I only think the regcabs and excabs have this option. A true fourdoor (crewcab) does not have the option of an airbag cut-off switch. I do believe they are available to be added to your truck.

I think GM's view of this is that if you have a full rear seat, then there would be no reason for you to put kids up front. However 84John has a good point that if the midgate is down in the Avalanche, then you would have no choice but to place the "little ones" up front... Unlike a crewcab, where the back seat should always be functional for the most part...

gandolphxx · December 31, 2001

This has been brought up before on another board - no resolution. I believe that GM is incorrect in this approach - their is room in the quad control for the switch - presumably the cabling would be similar to the others. It should be offered as an option for famlies!

my $.02

siume99 · December 31, 2001

I totally agree that there should be an on/off switch. I think I started a posting about this a while back for my 2001 Tahoe. I think an Ave necessitates (needs) one more than my Tahoe, but when I put my 2nd row seats down, I'm in the same situation. ??? I think I read somewhere that it is free of charge from GM, but you need to submit a written reason (and be valid). Another catch is you need to find a dealership that performs the "operation." You need trained personel to do it (it is one of those safety features that can't actually be checked---not like brakes, seatbelts, etc...) Huge legal concerns with this topic, both for GM, the dealer, and the vehicle operator. Unfortunately, there are people out there that are always trying to make money and not take resposiblities for their own decisions.

MountaineerTom · December 31, 2001

I think I read somewhere that it is free of charge from GM, but you need to submit a written reason (and be valid).

This TSB says it only goes up to 2000 vehicles, but maybe there is an updated one.

TSB #99-09-41-004

Shaners · December 31, 2001

I think I read somewhere that it is free of charge from GM, but you need to submit a written reason (and be valid). Another catch is you need to find a dealership that performs the "operation." You need trained personel to do it (it is one of those safety features that can't actually be checked---not like brakes, seatbelts, etc...) Huge legal concerns with this topic, both for GM, the dealer, and the vehicle operator. Unfortunately, there are people out there that are always trying to make money and not take resposiblities for their own decisions.

siumme,

I got your PM before I read this thread. You are right with what you say here. There are legal issues to this and valid points from both operator and manufacturer sides.

I believe that if an Av owner would like a key operated "shut-off" switch, then the dealer should be confronted.