SWAS - How to disable

[Dano]

So we’ve been seeing a lot more cars experiencing erratic rich conditions which are typically in the lower gears and at throttle tip in or between gear changes. This CAN be caused by enabling LC/FFS but it can also be caused by the SWAS [Steering Wheel Angle Sensor] kicking in and switching the logic to alternate tables which causes the car to fall flat on its face. You don’t even need to be turning the wheel for this to happen or perhaps a very slight turn induced by TQ steer will trigger the SWAS.

Disabling TCS/DSC does not disable SWAS unfortunately so the only way to disable it is to unplug it. A very easy task I’ll outline now. No pics cuz its just too easy

Edit: 09/09/11 DISCLAIMER ::: DISABLE THE SWAS AT YOUR OWN RISK

so I had a lil fun the other day on a freeway exit ramp that was due to disabling the SWAS and thought it worth mentioning. So without the SWAS enabled DSC is truly blind/deactivated unlike just pushing the DSC switch which actually just disables traction control and does nothing to disable stability control. on to the story.

a curved exit ramp [actually a partial clover leaf] I routinely exit at higher than posted speeds I typically run that ramp to the edge of control...just before tire squeal...well this time...way before any hint of squeal the car decided to rotate the ass end around a la @FreeFlyFreak video from years ago. I didn't go quite that far but suffice to say I was drifting in a FWD car LOL. Power application was needed to straighten her up and by the time I got to the light at the bottom of the ramp I had barely got her straight and skidded to a stop...ROFL...it was funny to see the looks on the peoples faces waiting at the light

anyway point is, in the past DSC was apparently kicking in on that ramp and applying brake pressure to control the car and without SWAS is was not. For the road racers/ autox guys out there with difficulty getting the car to rotate, i wonder if they are disconnecting the SWAS.





Doing this from memory so here goes.

Gen 2 version can be found here: Thanks @Monotonous ONE for the writeup

SWAS - DISCONNECT ON A GEN2

Step 1: Disconnect your battery and drain all fluids [ just kidding about the fluids but DO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY!!!] Then wait for 15 minutes to ensure there is no power left in the system. We will be working around the air bag connector which could cause the air bag to deploy and we don’t want that.

Step 2: remove the lower portion of the dash by pulling kinda out and down at the top seem right under the instrument cluster. It will pop lose fairly easily. Next remove the hood release cable mount from the bottom, a Phillips screw holds it in. Now the lower dash panel will be out of your way.

Step 3: You can now reach the 3rd of all 3 screws for the lower steering column cover. Once the screws are out you can pop the cover down and disconnect it from the top half. You will need to pull it to the passenger side to clear the ignition switch then is comes completely off. You will see a bright yellow wiring harness [Air bag] and just underneath that one is the SWAS connector. Don’t disconnect the yellow harness. Pull the connector down to unplug it then tuck the harness back up into the column and put everything back in reverse order.

No more car falling on its face now.

The little car squiggly will always be on now in the dash...a small price to pay for power.

I still always disable TSC/DCS when I get in the car.

Up next, I’ll try to figure out a way to auto disable TCS/DSC. I have seen it done somewhere on here with some sort of relay. If you know how please PM me.

what happens when air bag goes off

russian airbag test - YouTube

russian airbag test - YouTube