In most cars, the air bag will not go off unless several things happen
at once. This includes the speedo sensing movement. Given you are digging
in wiring, I would think a simple momentary short could even set it off. 
You can make sure this passenger compartment bomb, don't go off, by
pulling the plug that goes directly into it. 

   By the way, I will never own a car that has working air bags (bombs).
If I am invited to go somewhere with anyone who has air bombs, I drive, or
gladly let someone else sit in the front, to get bombed.   

            Eric                   86-VW4x4
            vw4x4@fyi.net          72-240z
            Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler
   

On Tue, 5 Jan 1999, [iso-8859-1] Bj�rn wrote:

> Is there an airbag guru among us who can tell me how to temporarily disable
> them?
> 
> My wife's TD passat has a faulty ignition switch. VW overloaded this switch
> with daylights, preglow, etc. To get at the switch, which is the same as in
> Golfs, Jettas etc., I was told I need to disassemble the steering column.
> Now there is the airbag which scares me. I hate it when people put things
> into cars that deny access. Despite the fact that airbags certainly have
> their application I hate the idea of an explosive oversized condom which can
> overwhelm me at any time. I do use seatbelts consistently though. Back to
> the point - I don't think vanagons ever had them and I can actually take
> things apart without things blowing up in my face - how can I safely
> disassemble and reassemble my steering column with the airbag? VW charges
> Can$195 for the job ahead. Can I save the money without risking my life?
> 
> 
> 
> Bj�rn Ratjen
> 
> Mill Bay, B.C. 
> 
> 1987 Syncro Est Alia (self camperized)
> 1995 Passat TD
> (1982 Vanagon Diesel)
> 1979 VW Bus (self- camperized)
>