I'm trying to remove this from the passenger side. Does this just pop out, or is it attached to the air bag? If so, how do I remove this cover? (btw I know to disconnect the battery so I don't kill myself) Thank you.

 

Are you talking about the outside cover of the air bag? That is not removable, also dont try painting this cover either. It will affect the operation of the air bag . Air bag modules are a complete assembly only & are not repairable. BTW, dont try prying around on the air bag module, it can inflate even though the battery is disconnected!

 

Second opinions?

 

Is that a hard plastic cover over the air bag module or is it just painted ? Either way there is no way that air bag will function properly. You might look behind the dash there & see if there is even a air bag there. It might have been removed & a cover installed in its place.

 

Thank you.

 

Hey that is my truck!! LOL

But yeah, the airbag is still there and operational. All that was done to the cover was sanded smooth and painted.

EDIT Forgot to mention that it IS removeable. Maybe not suggested but it surely can be removed. Mine was removed prior to prep and paint.

 

Simply painting the air bag cover will do no harm to the air bag or render it in-operable. I don't know for sure about this exact cover, but they are usually held in place by "velcro" around the edges, but this cover could be different.

As for your earlier statement about it still "going off" even if the battery is disconnected is also wrong. If you need to do work in this area, unhook the battery and wait a few minutes before beginning your work. I've been in Fire/EMS for years and have cut up nemerous vehicles to free patients, and as long as you kill the battery power (older cars had longer "discharge" times) you can pretty much start work right away. Just be sure you do not damage any part of the air bag, and never hook any of your wires into the air bag circuit.

Roger

 

If you have a pre-2004 model, the entire air bag module is removable. First pull off the top vinyl long oval piece on top of the dash. It's only clipped on. There is one of two gold colored screws inside, back down toward the air bag. Then open the glove box and reach to the left edge of the box and pull inthe plastic edge that stops the box from falling to the floor. Open the box all the way to the floor. Remember to take your junk out first. There will be one or two gold screws inside up toward the bag module. Pull the modula out the front by grabbing at the edges of the air bag door. Undo the wiring harness. I've never had the bag go off when the battery was connected, but it is better to disconnect the battery before doing this.

 

Sorry, but the information I gave came from Ford DVD service manuals. They have warnings on painting & modifiying air bag modules, also safe handling of air bag modules even though they're disconnected. Better safe than sorry, I'd rather trust Ford tech service information. IMHO