Yup, I got that viddie too, rw.

Sounds like you're on track. Oh yeah, the folks in Torrance are wonderful. Can't fault them for not trying to help. It's the dealer network that's the problem (as you've already seen). Not a single dealer in all of Massachusetts was willing to do the friggin' install for me. Unbelievable, isn't it? Best of luck. Figure $500 for the job. They have to take a lot of things apart to put the thing in -- it takes several hours!

 

On the topic of disabling the passenger side airbag, once it's done I know that you're required to have it "undone" when the car is to be sold. Well, as I very well might be looking for an S2000 in the near future, and I have a 9 year old grandson and a 4 year old grandson who I'd occasionally like to give rides to, I wonder: Would it be possible to "transfer" the NHTSA and AHM paperwork from one owner to another? Rather than having the thing taken out and then have to go through all the paperwork/time/expense to have it done all over again?

Thanks,
Tom
Sand Springs, OK

 

All I can see is you are required to get the NHTSA (Honda calls it "Nitsa") documentation. It sounds like a hassle, but if you fall into one of the groups they will approve you automatically.

Once you have permission, who knows? From what I recall from the papers I signed, I could sell the car and not remove the device. If a subsequent owner uses it improperly, *I* am the one liable. Not Honda, not the dealer, not the manufacturer of the switch.

That is why it's best just to jump through the hoops.

 

Just an update. Good news and bad news.

The good news: I got a call from Honda 2 weeks ago. They finally found a dealer.

The bad news: Not a single dealer in Southern California is willing to do the airbag switch install. Not a single one.

The closest dealer is in... Bakersfield. Wow. I was expecting a drive, and it could be worse - it could be in Ridgecrest (a.k.a Mos Eisley).

 

rw, I feek your pain.

Unbelievable.

 

Unbelieveable when you realize exactly how many dealers there are in the L.A. - Orange County - San Diego area. There's has to be at least 50 spread amongst the three cities.

 

Another update:

Honda got off their duffs and finally sent out the switch. The dealer (in Bakersfield) called me last Friday to tell me it arrived as well as Honda customer service calling to tell me the same news as well. It took nearly a month just to ship the switch.

So I am scheduled at 10AM in about two weeks to get the switch installed.

For those of you keeping score, it took more than 8 months (almost 9) to get this matter resolved. November 30th, 2004 was when I started the process.

Another tidbit of info:

The airbag switch is listed by Honda as a "controlled item". That is, they (Honda USA) will not sell one to a private party or a dealer unless it is for a car whose VIN is on file. The only way to get your VIN on file is to follow the process described in this thread.

I'll post back again when it's done.

 

Yup, it's like having a baby, rw. Come to think of it, that's exactly what it's like.

Best wishes.

 

Sheesh, at this rate, by the time you get your switch installed, your kid will have grown up and you won't need it.

 

Just got back from Bakersfield playing cat and mouse with the CHP and my V1 (wasn't even a contest) and the switch is installed and works.

I got lots of info on the install: It took about 4 1/2 hours and the total cost out of pocket for me was $495 ($280 + tax on the $200 switch).

Not only that, I got:
The packing slip from Calhac,
the MSDS sheet on some of the chemicals

and:

The installation instruction sheet. This is really cool. Everything just plugs right in, I don't think they cut a single wire. I can probably scan the sucker and put it up here if anyone is curious.

Pics and more info in a day or two.