Side airbags in a 1996? Need advice on removing door panel.
 

Hey guys, the speaker in my left door stopped working and I was going to pull the panel off to do some R and R, but then I remembered that side airbags was an option in the 1996 SL500. There is also a little badge on my door insides that says airbags on it. OK so stupid question, how do I know if I have airbags or not in the side? Do those badges denote side airbags, or just that the car has airbags in general? Do SL's with no side airbags not have the "airbag" badge on the doors.

Also if I do have airbags is there a proper procedure to removing the door panel? I hope to know before I go removing it and setting off the airbag.

Thanx much.

No one knows??

If you have side airbags, there will be a tag on the inside door trim, usually towards the rear of the panel, with (SRS) on it. If it's there, you have side airbags.
Can't remember 100% certain, but usually, the oval piece with the "(SRS)" on it pulls off by hand and there will be a screw under there that needs to be removed to remove the door panel, other than that R&R the door panel is the same.

Gilly

Sounds like you have the side airbags. Other than what Gilly has said, I think there is no danger in removing the side panels.

Awesome, thanks much guys!

Right, other than the extra screw that needs to be removed, having the side airbags isn't a problem for panel removal.

Gilly