SIR question: what's the best way to isolate power without unplugging both terminals?

[April Thompson]

I'm getting ready to upgrade to a leather-wrapped steering wheel & audio controls, and I keep getting conflicting advise from locals, from just unplug the fuse to unplug the negative battery terminal only, to isolate my airbags so I can remove the driver's bag for access. Normally I disconnect both terminals, but I don't know how that'll affect my radio... and since no one's given me an answer about that, I feel I'm stuck winging it! So... what's the best way to disable the airbags that won't harm the system, and yet be able to keep the radio's Theftlock from tripping?

[Scottydoggs]

the radio should be ok. it came from your car. its when you put it in another car it can lock up. if it does lock, you can unlock it. no big deal really.

the air bag, i just take the neg cable off and take the airbag off.

[April Thompson]

Thanks! I just pulled the salvage wheel & clock spring, by the way; I got warned about a circlip holding it down, so with the right pliers, pulling it was not a disaster!

[April Thompson]

Just wrapped up my upgrade, disconnecting only the negative terminal... WOO-HOO!!! Absolutely everything works; okay the light for the Up/Down/Tune button is burnt out... but that's small potatoes! Only thing I have to do: sell the old parts on Ebay! Think $25 for the old clock spring (1/10th of brand-new price at GM), $25 for the steering wheel, or $40 for the whole shebang including sub-harness sounds reasonable?