Previous owner had the passenger side air bag in the "OFF" position...said he was afraid it'd go off unexpectedly and hurt one of his children.... I figured the ignition key was the same key used to turn the airbag on/off. Tried the key today...uh, it don't fit.... Any hints? I don't plan to use it...nobody ever plans for an accident though... -dan

01 2500, 65Kmile, automatic, stock, short-bed

 

Ignition key works on mine.

 

I actually use my tool box key.

The ignition key is usually in the ignition when I think about it.

Any two sided key like the ignition key should work.

 

Mine works with anything I can stick in the slot.

 

I'm will assume you got it to switch on, for future searchers. Any key or flat blade screw driver will work, the "key" doesn't go in very far and you just turn off to on.

Good luck,

 

Sorry for late reply. Thanks for the responses. Fact of matter is, I thought the key needed to be inserted all the way to the hilt...like the ignition. Thus, I didn't even bother to twist it to turn on. Thanks!! Now question is, do the pax airbags have a history/issue with them accidently deploying?

 

Not that I know of, I went into the ditch in a snow storm and hit a culvert at about 80/90 kmh, flattened one rim and burst the tire, bent the steering, then went airborne, neither air bag blew.

 

Got over 180000 on mine and never went off yet. Never heard of one just going off. I believe the book says to turn it off to prevent injury to little children should it deploy in an accident. Can't figure that one out. I seem to remember something about the speed at which it deploys can injure small bones and stuff. If you've never seen on go off, hope you don't. They do save lives and there are several fellows here at work that are walking testaments to that.

 

My Dad always left his off because no one ever rode over there. He just figured it was one less repair bill in the event he was in an accident.

 

I turn mine off when my 5 yo son is riding in the front seat in his booster seat. If your child is in a safety seat (booster or carseat) in the front, then turn it off. Otherwise leave it on and put the kids in the backseat.

 

air bags will never go off "unexpectedly" only when the ECM detects a accident and the circuit closes thus deploying the air bags and seatbelt tensioners in the vehicle.

and Dracula is right. when air bags are deployed alone, a vehicle can be labeled as totaled just because they cost a couple grand each.

 

Not to mention the ripped dash if the passenger one goes off. There are 2 sensors and an additional separate sensor. One of the 2 main sensors and the additional sensor must both agree the impact is hard enough, then send the signals to the control unit in order for the airbags to go off.

 

Thumbs up.