The stock iQ steering wheel is a nice one and other than the red stitching that matches nothing in my car I like it. That being said, I wanted to modify my interior so I added an NRG Innovations Short Hub and Steering Wheel. When an aftermarket hub and wheel is used in the iQ (or any vehicle) the airbag light will stay on since the airbag has been removed. This DIY will show you how to make your own bypass to turn the airbag light off.

AT THIS POINT I MUST TELL YOU THAT YOU FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS AT YOUR OWN RISK. MY CAR IS NOT A DAILY DRIVER AND I DO NOT RECOMMEND THE REMOVAL OF AIRBAGS IN VEHICLES THAT ARE DRIVEN ON HIGHWAYS.

That being said, here is the DIY.

You will need:

20 gauge wire
Two (2) 3ohm 1.25 volt resistors
Solder
Soldering iron
Heat shrink tubing
Electrical tape
Mini size male connectors
Wire strippers
Small long nose pliers



DISCONNECT YOUR BATTERY AND WAIT 15 MINUTES BEFORE WORKING ON YOUR AIRBAGS.
DISCONNECT YOUR BATTERY AND WAIT 15 MINUTES BEFORE WORKING ON YOUR AIRBAGS.
DISCONNECT YOUR BATTERY AND WAIT 15 MINUTES BEFORE WORKING ON YOUR AIRBAGS.

Did I mention to DISCONNECT YOUR BATTERY AND WAIT 15 MINUTES BEFORE WORKING ON YOUR AIRBAGS?

Cut two pieces of wire from the 20 gauge wire and solder the ends...



Solder one end of each wire to the 3 ohm resistor...



Solder the other end of each wire to the mini male connectors...





Use the heat shrink tubing and cover the resistor and any exposed wire at the mini male connector end...



You may also add a larger diameter heat shrink tubing to the top of the "U" to keep the leads from spreading...



This is the airbag connect that was previously attached to the steering wheel hub...



Connect the mini male connectors to the smaller of the two holes in each slot.





Use electrical tape to secure the leads to the airbag connector to prevent them from coming loose...



Now reconnect your battery and start up the car. Your airbag light will be out.

Just in case you skipped to the end of this DIY let me mention again...DISCONNECT YOUR BATTERY AND WAIT 15 MINUTES BEFORE WORKING ON YOUR AIRBAGS!

 

Where did you get the resistors at ? And I can find the 3 ohms but I can't find ones that's are 1.25 v they all say watts

 

I got mine at JK Electronics in Westminster CA. You might want to check with any local electronics shop or possibly a Radio Shack if you have one close by.

 

Do you know if this method will work for the first gen tC?

 

I've never tried it on a first gen tC but I did it to a first gen xB. Should work for you as well.