Changing steering wheels...airbag question.
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From: Los Angeles
1989 300CE
Changing steering wheels...airbag question.
Hello everyone. Im thinking of changing the steering wheel on my 89 300CE to the ones used on 95 E320. Has anyone done this before? Im concerned about the airbag. When taking the airbag off, there's a red wire that runs from the back of the airbag assembly to the wheel hub. Where would I disconnect this wire? Also, is it relatively safe to swap the wheel and airbag?
I just dont want this thing blowing up on my face while driving
.
Well, hopefully someone can answer my questions and thanks in advance!
I just dont want this thing blowing up on my face while driving
.Well, hopefully someone can answer my questions and thanks in advance!
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
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From: Motor City
95 E320 Cabriolet, 108K
Some newsgroups forbid the dispensation of advice concerning air bags. Mistakes can cost the backyard mechanic life or limb.
One tip I can give - even if you've disconnected the battery, waited a good long while, and have the air bag wires disconnected - is to be aware of static charge that can build up in a person. You know how you get shocked when you get out of a car? That same charge can set off an airbag! All the sliding around the interior builds up a deadly static charge.
You'd be best off enlisting the help of a qualified airbag technician.
One tip I can give - even if you've disconnected the battery, waited a good long while, and have the air bag wires disconnected - is to be aware of static charge that can build up in a person. You know how you get shocked when you get out of a car? That same charge can set off an airbag! All the sliding around the interior builds up a deadly static charge.
You'd be best off enlisting the help of a qualified airbag technician.
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From: Manchester, CT
Well, I've done it and it was no big deal...of course its smart to disconnect the battery but other than that, unscrew the 2 torx screws on the back of the wheel and remove it, then unplug the wire that's goes to the wheel. Its easy and simple...at least on a W124.
Common sense would be not to wear fuzzy socks with no shoes and maybe rubber gloves but don't think going to a dealer and spending $100 will make any difference, they'll do the same thing as I describe. Not that I'm throwing caution to the wind but you don't smoke cigarettes while filling up your gas tank, do ya'?. Sorta the same idea I feel. My 2 cents.
Common sense would be not to wear fuzzy socks with no shoes and maybe rubber gloves but don't think going to a dealer and spending $100 will make any difference, they'll do the same thing as I describe. Not that I'm throwing caution to the wind but you don't smoke cigarettes while filling up your gas tank, do ya'?. Sorta the same idea I feel. My 2 cents.
Super Member
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From: Middlefield, CT
1994 E320
It is also advised in the serv. man. to disconnect the 10-pin plug coupling under the passenger floor mat. The battery should always be disconnected before unplugging any connection on the SRS.
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Almost a Member!
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From: Los Angeles
1989 300CE
Thanks guys.
Jim,
That wire that you mentioned, it looks like the wire is wedged pretty well into the wheel. Doesnt look like it can be disconnected from the airbag, so I wont even touch it. Is that wire just pulled from the wheel, or is there a certain way to disconnect it?
Thanks.
Jim,
That wire that you mentioned, it looks like the wire is wedged pretty well into the wheel. Doesnt look like it can be disconnected from the airbag, so I wont even touch it. Is that wire just pulled from the wheel, or is there a certain way to disconnect it?
Thanks.
Newbie
Joined: May 2003
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From: Stockholm, Sweden
91' 300E 4Matic
Installing airbag
Does anyone know if a steering wheel with an airbag is a self contained unit? What I mean is, does it hold all sensors and possible electronics for it to work or does it depend on some intelligence mounted somewhere else in the car?
The reason for asking is that I have a 300E without airbag and would be interested to install one.
/mats
The reason for asking is that I have a 300E without airbag and would be interested to install one.
/mats
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Super Member
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Middlefield, CT
1994 E320
The SRS control unit controls the airbag and belt tensioners. It is located behind the ashtray on the transmission tunnel. I suppose it could be installed at a later date, but I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself. There is too much that can go wrong.
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From: Manchester, CT
Jer's certainly correct on all accounts...
On my car, w/Sportline 390mm wheel, the airbag wire has a female end plug with the male end connected on the wheel base/rim. I would think the airbags are all designed similarly on MB W201/W124. In fact I'm pretty sure.
The airbag is seperate item from the wheels...both are usually over $500 each new OEM. It would be expensive to retro-fit a car w/o airbag to one with...I would think...but it can be done no problem I'm sure. Maybe a crashed donor car parts would be do-able. And the sensors, relays and computer stuff is seperate from the wheel/bag...unfortunately.
Hope this helps.
On my car, w/Sportline 390mm wheel, the airbag wire has a female end plug with the male end connected on the wheel base/rim. I would think the airbags are all designed similarly on MB W201/W124. In fact I'm pretty sure.
The airbag is seperate item from the wheels...both are usually over $500 each new OEM. It would be expensive to retro-fit a car w/o airbag to one with...I would think...but it can be done no problem I'm sure. Maybe a crashed donor car parts would be do-able. And the sensors, relays and computer stuff is seperate from the wheel/bag...unfortunately.
Hope this helps.
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Watertown, CT
1988 300ce
The actual driver's side airbags on most late 80's and early 90's benz's are the same....not just in the 300 series, but throughout all the model lines. If I'm not mistaken, they remain this way until about '96. Also, once the airbag has been deployed, not only the airbag needs to be replaced. The inertia switch, and i think the relay all need to be replaced.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Middlefield, CT
1994 E320
The interia switch/relay is all housed in the SRS control unit. Output of the airbag creates an unclearable fault (#10) in the control unit that will prevent it from functioning again. Don't use control units from crashed vehicles!!!
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Steering wheel removal
It is VERY easy to remove the steering wheel -
There is a connection under the passenger side footwell that needs to be disconntected
Disconnect battery
Unscrew the two torx screws on the back of the steering wheel
Uscrew the main bolt holding the steering where on the column
The steering wheel and the airbag come off as one piece, there isn't a need to disconnect the red wire ( in looks like disconnecting it would destroy the connection.
I don't have any knowledge about compatability between steering wheels...
Best of luck.
There is a connection under the passenger side footwell that needs to be disconntected
Disconnect battery
Unscrew the two torx screws on the back of the steering wheel
Uscrew the main bolt holding the steering where on the column
The steering wheel and the airbag come off as one piece, there isn't a need to disconnect the red wire ( in looks like disconnecting it would destroy the connection.
I don't have any knowledge about compatability between steering wheels...
Best of luck.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Aridzona
'15 S550, '10 E350 P1/P2, '02 ML320
The actual driver's side airbags on most late 80's and early 90's benz's are the same....not just in the 300 series, but throughout all the model lines. If I'm not mistaken, they remain this way until about '96.
