Airbags running through factory stereo in a car?

[Accipiter22]

So I'm going about installing the stereo in my new 2005 Chevy Malibu, and I went ot buy a wiring harness for the cd player.....the guy at the store says I need to get a special split harness...one end for the dash, the other runs into the trunk where I have to leave the original factory stereo attached, or else I lose my airbags....I asked at the chevy dealer the salesman had never heard of that, I checked and called crutchfield and they had no note of it. My dad has been in the autobody business for 35 years and he'd never heard of that either....has anyone else heard of/dealt with this before??

 

[KK]

i'd say the guy is full of it.

 

[funkymatt]

yes. there are quite a few cars that do this. i'm sure other people will have more spcifics- but i thought this was common knowledge?

 

[imported_Pablo]

Originally posted by: funkymatt
yes. there are quite a few cars that do this. i'm sure other people will have more spcifics- but i thought this was common knowledge?

I thought it was a common old wive's tale...

 

[daveshel]

Yes, I have heard something to that effect.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: Accipiter22
So I'm going about installing the stereo in my new 2005 Chevy Malibu, and I went ot buy a wiring harness for the cd player.....the guy at the store says I need to get a special split harness...one end for the dash, the other runs into the trunk where I have to leave the original factory stereo attached, or else I lose my airbags....I asked at the chevy dealer the salesman had never heard of that, I checked and called crutchfield and they had no note of it. My dad has been in the autobody business for 35 years and he'd never heard of that either....has anyone else heard of/dealt with this before??

well if its anything similar to whats in SAAB vehicles, you need to get the stereo disabled before removing it, because of its integration within the vehicle for displaying information.

but ask your dealer.

 

[JasonSix78]

"the guy at the store" ?? He could possibly be a moron or he could be right. I use to replace airbags a lot back when I worked at a body shop and I wouldn't put it past a car manufacturer for doing something goofy like having the airbag wiring harness integrated or intersecting with the wires for the radio.

-Jason

 

[Accipiter22]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: Accipiter22
So I'm going about installing the stereo in my new 2005 Chevy Malibu, and I went ot buy a wiring harness for the cd player.....the guy at the store says I need to get a special split harness...one end for the dash, the other runs into the trunk where I have to leave the original factory stereo attached, or else I lose my airbags....I asked at the chevy dealer the salesman had never heard of that, I checked and called crutchfield and they had no note of it. My dad has been in the autobody business for 35 years and he'd never heard of that either....has anyone else heard of/dealt with this before??

well if its anything similar to whats in SAAB vehicles, you need to get the stereo disabled before removing it, because of its integration within the vehicle for displaying information.

but ask your dealer.

well the stereo doesn't display any info on mine....just the current radio station, and the time....so I wouldn't be losing any of that

 

[James3shin]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: Accipiter22
So I'm going about installing the stereo in my new 2005 Chevy Malibu, and I went ot buy a wiring harness for the cd player.....the guy at the store says I need to get a special split harness...one end for the dash, the other runs into the trunk where I have to leave the original factory stereo attached, or else I lose my airbags....I asked at the chevy dealer the salesman had never heard of that, I checked and called crutchfield and they had no note of it. My dad has been in the autobody business for 35 years and he'd never heard of that either....has anyone else heard of/dealt with this before??

well if its anything similar to whats in SAAB vehicles, you need to get the stereo disabled before removing it, because of its integration within the vehicle for displaying information.

but ask your dealer.

I've never heard of the airbag thing, but the integration into the display, yes. Call your dealer up.

 

[BCYL]

Yes I have heard of this on other vehicles too, especially with newer vehicles