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MG MGF Technical - Fitting a Passanger Airbag

I was wondering on a long trip over the weekend if it is easy to fit a passanger airbag to a car that did not come with one? Is the wiring all in place just no airbag unit?
Andrew McD JAZ5788

Im sure someone will correct me if I am wrong but I believe the wiring is not in place for the passenger airbag. You will need a complete new airbag wiring loom to allow a passenger airbag to be fitted to a car not fitted with one in the factory. Not sure how easy it is to fit the new loom with the bag - someone else may help you there.

Keith
Keith Williams

That's my understanding too Keith - sorry Andrew - retrofitting a passenger airbag would involve a fair amount of work.
Rob Bell

Confirmed. New loom and controller needed.

It'd be tricky as it's under the dash... but certainly possible.
Talk to dealer for prices. Bully them if they say it cannot be done. It can. At a cost.

P.
Paul Nothard

I have to admit some confusion over this - there is a Tech Bulleting on the RAVE CD about underdash rattles on cars NOT fitted with passenger airbags being caused by "redundant passenger airbag wiring" being unsecured. The fix is to cable tie the unused connector to the rest of the loom. So that suggests that the loom is the same...

Tim.
Tim Jenner


Very interesting Tim.

I took my information from my dealer when I was wanting to *remove* the passenger airbag. I was told that a new loom was required.

I'll be checking some more this evening.

P.
Paul Nothard

Interesting..... So I might be able to do it afterall without re wiring the whole car.

Thanks, Andrew.

Andrew McD JAZ5788

No. Just a little bit in the front. :-)
Paul Nothard

Ah thats alright then.!!!

:-)
Andrew McD JAZ5788

Remember, though, that there are explosives involved in the airbags. The dealers may not be able to sell the airbags to customers. Anyone know for certain?

Ralph
Ralph

I just had a quick Google for buying airbags and to my disbelief there were lots of warnings about airbags being stolen!! Incredible. Anyway, I know that B&G will only fit replacement steering wheels in their workshop because of the airbag (says in the brochure they won't sell you a wheel on its own).

I'd be surprised if MGR won't sell airbags as parts though - they are supposed to be replaced after 10 years and I doubt you HAVE to go to a main dealer for that on any car.

Tim.
Tim Jenner

This thread was discussed between 19/01/2004 and 20/01/2004

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.