If you disconnect the battery will the airbag stay intact when you open the steering wheel of a 98 Cherokee Sport to test the horn switch?

Once you disconnect the negative battery cable for at least two minutes, the air bag system will disarm on 1997 and later XJ models. You can then open up the steering wheel components and test them. The horn lead is the single spade connected wire that travels into the airbag module. Power to the horn, air bag and cruise control is passed from the harness via the clock spring.