Legalities of removing airbag ECU
 

I'm slowly converting my car to a track day only car with cage, bucket seats etc.

The only airbag I have left as a consequence is the steering wheel one, which will go when I replace the steering wheel, hence I'm thinking of ditching the airbag ecu and wiring.

However, would it pass an mot without the ecu, as there would be no airbag light on startup?

I.e, do I need to keep the ecu just to stay road legal?


Car is a 2003 blob.

just take the bulb out ,,,,and get friendly with your mot tester as things like this are very easy to get around then

You can fit a resistor in place of the airbag, 4k7 ohm iirc. If you get the works bell hub it comes with the appropriate resistor as a part of the kit. No issues then as it fools the airbag ECU, you get the light on start up and it illuminates following the self-test:thumb:

Yes I know about the resistor mod (it's 3.3 ohm, btw), but I want to remove the ecu to save the 2.5-3kg of ecu+wires if possible :)

Airbag light is not part of the MOT. Wife's standby Fiesta has had airbag light on last 2 MOT's not even mentioned.

Remove away




:)

I thought it was going to be part of the amended MOT test procedure published earlier this year...mine has no bulb (or ecu or wireing or airbags!), in it btw :)

Just had a read. Apparantly airbag lights are to be tested from next year, bugger. Oh well just sell said Fiesta, got another one anyway LOL.

More interestingly apparantly checking for aftermarket ecus and maps on the way. And someting about decats........

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repositor...May%202011.pdf




:(

Can't see anything about aftermarket ECU's?

Or am I blind?

Arse, looks like ecu + wiring is staying then

Sorry, ecu's mentioned in this one, although very vague reference to "illegal chipping"

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repositor...Oct%202010.pdf

Along with HID's etc.

Read another article stating that they may be requiring to plug into the ecu via the obd port to check the mapping. Not sure how the heck they intend to do that but it is not a defo at the moment. Also not sure how they are going to treat things like th PPP on the classic which was essentially an aftermarket decat and ecu change, albeit approved by the manufacturer.

All the above is still in discussion. The definite changes are as listed in themay PDF. I like the one about the tyre pressure sensors. Wouldn't it be annoying to fail on what is essentially an aftermarket option (it was on my old mans Spanish Merc E270)

Basically they seem to be going down the "if it's fitted it has to work" route. Better get my fag lighter fixed then LOL




:)

"illegal engine ‘chipping’ – will need
further thought before we can get
a workable solution for MOT
stations."

Too bloody right it'll need further thought!!!:eek:

If they go at it too severely it'll put thousands out of work. :brickwall