Before working on airbags, what is the recommended precaution related to power?

Before working on airbags, what is the recommended precaution related to power?

• A. Disconnect the battery
• B. Remove the fuse for the radio
• C. Drain the fuel tank
• D. Disconnect the alternator belt

Answer: (A)

Power-down safety for airbags centers on removing the stored electrical energy that feeds the airbag control system. Airbags are controlled by a module that can still hold a charge in its capacitors even when the ignition is off. To prevent accidental deployment and reduce the risk of shock, the battery must be disconnected before any work on airbag components. Typically, disconnect the negative battery cable first, then wait a short period for the system to discharge before you proceed. This ensures there is no power present to trigger the airbags while you work. The other options don’t guarantee safety: removing a radio fuse protects only the radio, draining the fuel tank is unnecessary and unsafe for this task, and disconnecting the alternator belt doesn’t remove power from the airbag system or its capacitors.

Power-down safety for airbags centers on removing the stored electrical energy that feeds the airbag control system. Airbags are controlled by a module that can still hold a charge in its capacitors even when the ignition is off. To prevent accidental deployment and reduce the risk of shock, the battery must be disconnected before any work on airbag components. Typically, disconnect the negative battery cable first, then wait a short period for the system to discharge before you proceed. This ensures there is no power present to trigger the airbags while you work. The other options don’t guarantee safety: removing a radio fuse protects only the radio, draining the fuel tank is unnecessary and unsafe for this task, and disconnecting the alternator belt doesn’t remove power from the airbag system or its capacitors.