Effect of disconnecting Battery on the Computer??

[Archive]

I just received my service manual for my Dodge Ram. I noticed that it frequently recommended disconnecting the negative terminal of the battery before doing any work in the dashboard. The reason was to prevent the AirBags from being trigger accidentally.

I was wondering what is the down side to disconnecting the battery. I know there are several computers in the truck. What will they lose. Will the digital Odometer lose its memory??

------------------
2500 DEE/ETH QC SLT+ SWB 4x4 3. 54 Limited Slip, Flame Red , Line-X, Black Westin Nerf Bars
Soon Rancho 9000, Roadmaster Active suspension and Grover air horns, Northwest Custom Mud flaps, ARE Fiberglass lid

 

[Archive]

Nothing to fear. You will loose your radio presets and the trip odometer reading. The total mileage odometer is stored in a very safe place so you can't tamper with it.

------------------
4-sale or Trade
'99, 3/4, QC, SLT, 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 3. 5xlsd, tow pac, HD tcase, tow mirrors, camper pac, White over driftwood, Mist gray interior. With less than 19,000 miles.

 

[Archive]

I would rather retune the radio than replace the air bags

 

[Archive]

When I installed my 2-low switch in the dash I pulled the fuses for the air bags. There are two fuses in the small fuse panel by the driver's door that have yellow handles on them and are shown as "air bag" or something close to that terminology. Hopefully pulling these is enough to disable the air bag system. They didn't go off on me, but that's little proof. Anybody know if this is the correct way to disable the air bags?

------------------
Just got my 2001 2500 QC, SB, 4x4, ETH 6-sp, 3. 54 LSD, SLT++ (everything but those lights on top of the roof), White over Silver, Tan leather. Picked it up 8/31/00.

 

[Archive]

The correct way to disable the airbags is to disconnect the battery grounds then wait a couple of minutes for the back up capasitor to discharge. I wouldn't trust just removeing the fuses,I've heard that more people working on cars have been hurt/killed by accidental airbag deployment than drivers hurt by airbags. It's not just air that fills those things,it's actually a small explosive. The airbag in my daughters Honda went off,$1700 for parts only,not sure what a Dodge costs. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Archive]

Thanks for the answers. I will just disconnect the negative terminals of the batteries when it says to, now that know that the only things effected are easily reset.

------------------
2500 DEE/ETH QC SLT+ SWB 4x4 3. 54 Limited Slip, Flame Red , Line-X, Black Westin Nerf Bars
Soon Rancho 9000, Roadmaster Active suspension and Grover air horns, Northwest Custom Mud flaps, ARE Fiberglass lid

 

[Archive]

You may not loose you radio presets, the newer Infinitys keep them stored (mine is out of a 99 Dakota). You will loose you auto trans shift pattern and cruise set pattern. The truck will shift wierd for a couple days and the cruise might need to be tuned.
Still cheaper (and safer) than air bags.

------------------
'94 3500 4x4, 201,000 miles, Never had a cat, Auto w/shift kit (currently under remodification), 3. 54 Gears, TST #5 plate, 235-85-16s, Rancho 9000s w/remote, Isspro gauges inplace of cupholder & Amsoil Bumper to Bumper. NRA member.
"Warrantee? We don't need no stinking warrantee!"

 

[Archive]

Disconnecting the battery terminals + and - will not cause you to lose your radio presets (on an '01 with infinity CD/Tape deck). I did lose the trip odometer, though - I didn't realize this until I almost crapped when I did my mpg calculation! #ad

 

[Archive]

I'm glad I pulled up this thread. I was planning on disconnecting the - battery terminals while installing my 2 low switch. I also planned to use a 9v battery plug that goes into the lighter. I've used this in the past and it prevents the radio from loosing memory. Now you guys got me worried. Is the small 9v battery (this is the type you use in a household smoke detector) enough to set off the air bags?? I've never had a problem in the past, but that might be luck.

 

[Archive]

Regarding the disabling of airbags: Disconnecting the batteries and waiting a few (like 10) minutes is the way to start. BE VERY CAREFUL!! since STATIC ELECTRICITY will set the airbags off even if the capacitor is discharged!!! Always try and stay at least 10" away from any undeployed airbag. My 2 cents worth and then some!

------------------
01 2500 SLT, LWB, 4x4, 3. 54 Axle, Rancho 9000's, K&N filter, otherwise stock