Got an aftermarket steering wheel? Look out!

[miatateer]

I have done my research.  I actually got a phone call from Sgt Evans of the VA State Police, Safety Division.  As of July 1, 2006 all cars so equipped from the factory were to be inspected and rejected if ANY component of the air bag system was removed.  Here's the fun part.  This goes backwards too.  Had I modified my '91 Miata in May of 2006, I would still be required by VA code to return the air bag system to its orginal condition.

Crud!  

[Conicidal]

Keep in mind that in the stock classes, original airbags/steering wheels are required with an exception for pre-'90 cars.  Maybe it's time to find a less-than-reputable inspection station...

[miatateer]

CSP for me...so I could have spent that money.

[ahamos]

I have done my research, too, and the code Sgt. Evans references is no longer present in the VA Administrative Code.  It was there on July 1 (I saw a copy of the very order), it was explicitly contradicted July 28, and it was gone at the beginning of this year (or at least gone from the publicly viewable version).  Tell him to show you where in the current VA Administrative Code it says that the air-bag system must be present and complete.

There's a corollary to that, too:  does your '91 have a passenger airbag?  If not, you can remove the entire system and claim it was never there.  Unless they're willing to spend the time to research the original options that shipped on your VIN, (which the police won't do at a routine traffic stop, and your inspection station shouldn't care that much, either), you're good.

[Edited on 26-6-2007 by ahamos]

[ahamos]

BTW, that July 1 order was issued to force folks to replace their airbags after they detonate, and the July 28 contradiction explicitly allowed for removing the system in total or in part.

[Mugami]

good to hear.... i think.. .  was thinking about replacing the Seats in the MINI (which have Airbags) and I thought this was to take effect this July 1st.

[ahamos]

Ok, fully researched now.  It is still there, but I had been looking in the wrong place...  Here's the code as it currently stands, dated April 30, 2007:

"For Seat belts; definitions, see Virginia Administrative Code print product.

E. Air bag readiness light.

Turn the ignition key to the on position, the air bag readiness light will indicate normal system operation by lighting for six to eight seconds, then turning off. A system malfunction is indicated by the flashing or continuous illumination of the readiness light or failure of the light to turn on.

NOTE: Reject the vehicle if the air bag readiness light fails to light or stays on continuously or flashes.

EXCEPTION: Do not reject if the air bag has been deployed or removed, provided the air bag warning light has been disabled."

Here's a link:

19VAC30-70-290 Seat belts; definitions

[ahamos]

Here's what the State Police website has to say:

20. – INSPECT AIR BAG AND AIRBAG READINESS LIGHT FOR:

    * Any defects in the air bag system noted by the air bag readiness light, or otherwise indicated; or
    * The air bag has been deployed and has not been replaced (and is not deactivated because of a medical or other exemption and a notice is posted to indicate that it has been deactivated); or
    * Any part of the air bag system has been removed from the vehicle; or
    * If the air bag indicator fails to light, or stays on continuously.          

And then it recommends that you research any specific questions on the VA Administative code site, which contradicts it! :ouch::stupid:

[miatateer]

Yep, Adrian, I found all of those references and discussed them at length with the Sgt.  According to him, the Capt has the authority via the General Assembly to make changes to the state inspection rules without first getting specific approval  from the GA.  To that end, what you have seen on the State Police web site is code, as offically issued on July 1, 2006 in Inspection Bulletin #323.

Key word...ANY PART of the system

As to the '91.  It's marked on the VIN tag.  You would have to deface the VIN tag to remove the "Air Bag" marking.  I beleive that modifying the VIN tag is a major no-no.

And there is no start date.  If I had replaced the wheel in '92, I'd have to get a air bag back in there to pass inspection.  Read a case of a guy just moved here from FL.  He had removed the entire system while in FL.  Could not get VA inspection...ouch!

The Sgt. seemed like a very reasonable man.  I have little reason to believe that he was trying to "snow" me.  This is truly a P.I.T.A.  Especially, if you have already made those changes.  

[ahamos]

Well, then, it seems to me that you'll have to find yourself one of those "special" inspection stations...

[miatateer]

And then hope a Statie never looks in your car, or pulls ya over, since they can "inspect" your car whenever they want to.

[CoryB]

So it seems then, that if one were reasonably good with electronics, a dummy light could be rigged to trigger the "airbag ready" light on the dash for 6 seconds while allowing for disarming the actual airbag system. The airbag itself would have to stay in place but it would be disabled.

I have concerns as to the reliability of the airbag in my 93 Miata, not to mention the force with which it deploys since it's not a "depowered" airbag. Cindy sits close to the steering wheel since she's 5'4" and is in the danger zone - especially for the older, more powerful systems.

Can one still get an airbag removal authorization? I know they used to be available.

[Edited on 6-27-2007 by CoryB]

[miatateer]

Yes, the waiver does still exist, and I was told would apply IF you qualify.  Not where is that waiver?  :blah:

[ahamos]

I just got a call from my mechanic:  apparently the State Police have recanted and we can resume using aftermarket steering wheels!  He says the note he received backdates the approval to Aug 1, 2007.  :bouncep::bounce: