Subwoofer and the airbags...

[ENafziger]

I recently bought a HotBox subwoofer enclosure that replaces the front center seat section. When I removed the center seat, I found that there is an electronic "box" screwed to the transmission hump. It has a directional arrow pointing forward, and has some verbage about airbags and not touching the module if not trained to do so.



So here's the questions... Is this the "sensor" that senses an impact to deploy the airbags? If it is, where have others moved this to, and how was it done? Also, if this module is relocated somehow near the sub enclosure, is there any chance of a hard subwoofer thump being mistaken as an impact? (i. e. causing the airbags to deploy?) Thanks! --Eric

 

[BigDan]

My 99 had a similar electronic box which I had to move when I installed my JL stealthbox. I dont know if it was for airbags or not but if i moved it a certian way the seatbelts would lock up. I never screwed it down and was a little worried about it but my airbags still worked like they were soppose to.



If I were you I would worry about it since it didnt say anything about it on the website, if it was a problem there would be a huge disclaimer or he would be in jail for selling products that can kill people ot you would see lots of threads posted here on how there subwoffer set off their airbags.....



Your fine :-laf

 

[JFaulkner]

if it was me I'd hit it with a hammer a few times and see what happens.

 

[broeser340]

The box that was moved that caused the seatbelts to lock up does in fact control the seatbelts. There is a mass/electronics inside of the box that detects a tilting motion and acceleration forces.



When a vehicle rolls over, the "box" sends a signal to the seatbelt retractor to lock. This is called a tilt lock. They are specified tilt lock angles by the government and/or manufacturer of the vehicle. Only webbing can be retracted but not extracted. An example of an acceleration lock is when the vehicle is in an accident, the brakes are hit hard, or accelerating around a curve. Federal Motor Vehicle Saftey Standards (FMVSS 209) dictates that a retractor must lock when subject to . 7g's of acceleration. Requirements may be stricter as mandated by the manufacturer. This box may not detect that if mounted improperly. If mounted improperly, the "box" may not sense a crash and your seatbelt may not lock and could quite possibly free spool and have the same effect as not wearing a seatbelt at all.



Do Not Tamper With that Box. As far as I know, the "box" for the belt was used in the 2nd gen. trucks with the extended cab. I dont know if it was only on the quad cab or the regular extended (No flip out doors) and the regular cab. I think the Sebring convertible as well. The reason is because the retractor is in the seat back itself. The tilting of the seatback could cause the retractor to inadvertantly "tilt lock" if adjusted too far. Therefore a seperate box with a sensor gives a greater range of motion without a nuisance lock. They have since been replaced with a reliable and simpler technology. Most vehicles do not rely of electrical for seatbelt function but some do. Again, under no circumstances should this box be tampered with. YOU could be liable if someone is injured or killed in an accident as a result of tampering/moving it.



As for the question of the third gen truck in the original post, I havent the slightest clue. But I would strongly suggest NOT moving it. Contact the product tech line and see what they say. Tell them you have to move potentially life saving devices to install their product and tell them you will hold them liable. See what they say. They may not even know it was there if it was designed when the 3rd gens first came out. Back then, the sensor may have been located somewhere else. Also contact your dealer. I work for a safety restraint company and know of these products. Take my advice, dont mess/modify/remove any of it. You, a friend, or some family members life may depend on it someday.

 

[ohnoitsyu]

My 99 had a similar electronic box which I had to move when I installed my JL stealthbox. I dont know if it was for airbags or not but if i moved it a certian way the seatbelts would lock up. I never screwed it down and was a little worried about it but my airbags still worked like they were soppose to.

I hate to be the one to give you bad news, but just because your airbag went off doesn't mean it worked like it was supposed to. The timing of airbag deployment is very critical. Since your SRS unit or sensor wasn't mounted as designed, it most likely caused a delayed deployement of the airbag. Even only a few milliseconds late would cause a significant reduction in its effectiveness.



Thank you broeser340 for typing everything I would have said (and then some).



I am involved with SRS systems with the company where I work, and I can't emphasize enough the importance of proper mounting of SRS sensors.



ENafziger, please, if you care about yourself and your family, don't modify any SRS component or its mounting. Don't be mislead by those who know nothing about the SRS in your vehicle.

 

[betterthanstock]

I recently bought a HotBox subwoofer enclosure that replaces the front center seat section. When I removed the center seat, I found that there is an electronic "box" screwed to the transmission hump. It has a directional arrow pointing forward, and has some verbage about airbags and not touching the module if not trained to do so.



So here's the questions... Is this the "sensor" that senses an impact to deploy the airbags? If it is, where have others moved this to, and how was it done? Also, if this module is relocated somehow near the sub enclosure, is there any chance of a hard subwoofer thump being mistaken as an impact? (i. e. causing the airbags to deploy?) Thanks! --Eric

Can you stay about 1 inch above the sensor? As long as the subwoofer or a port is not directed at the sensor, it will not deploy. It withstands all the diesel vibration/bumps/door slamming you can throw at it.

 

[ENafziger]

Thanks for all the replies! I believe when the sub "thumps" that it will contact the box, causing damage to the speaker. From some posts, it appears that this box only deals with the seatbelts locking, and another post hinted at airbag control. Does anyone know for sure? Assuming it is just a momentum/intertia/tilt sensor for seat belt control, would there be any harm in moving it a few inches and fastening it back down? All of the factory wiring/connections/orientation would be the same. I too am very conscious about safety (I even ordered the truck with the very rare side airbag option), but I don't see how moving the box slightly would effect its performance if wiring and orientation were left the same.



I know several people on here have installed these same sub enclosures... what have you guys done?



Thanks again! --Eric