Service After an Airbag Deployment
SERVICE AFTER AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
WARNING: To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), never attempt to repair the electrically conductive circuits or wiring components related to the SRS. Such repairs can compromise the conductivity and current carrying capacity of those critical electrical circuits, which may cause SRS components not to deploy when required, or to deploy when not required. Any wire harness containing broken, cut, burned or otherwise damaged electrically conductive SRS wiring, terminals or connector components must be removed and replaced with an entire new wire harness. Only minor cuts or abrasions of wire and terminal insulation where the conductive material has not been damaged, or connector insulators where the integrity of the latching and locking mechanisms have not been compromised may be repaired using appropriate methods.
DRIVER AIRBAG
After a Driver Airbag has been deployed due to a collision, the following MUST be replaced:
- Driver Airbag
- Clockspring Assembly
- Steering Wheel
- Complete Steering Column Assembly w/Lower Steering Column Coupler
All other airbag and vehicle components should be closely inspected following any airbag deployment, and should be replaced when visible damage is incurred.
WARNING: Do not connect the battery negative cable. Personal injury or death may result if the system test is not performed first.
PASSENGER AIRBAG
After a Passenger Airbag has been deployed due to a collision. the following MUST be replaced:
- Passenger Airbag
- Instrument Panel Top Pad Assembly
All other airbag and vehicle components should be closely inspected following any airbag deployment, and should be replaced when visible damage is incurred.
WARNING: Do not connect the battery negative cable. Personal injury or death may result if the system test is not performed first.
CURTAIN AIRBAG
After a Curtain Airbag has been deployed due to a collision, the following MUST be replaced:
- Curtain Airbag Assembly
- Headliner
- A, B, and C-Pillar Trim on deployed side.
All other airbag and vehicle components should be closely inspected following any airbag deployment, and should be replaced when visible damage is incurred.
WARNING: Do not connect the battery negative cable. Personal injury or death may result if the system test is not performed first.
OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS)
After an impact event, either front, rear, or side, the OCS system components need to be inspected and replaced if found to be damaged.
This includes:
- Occupant Classification Module (OCM)
- Seat Weight Sensor
WARNING: Never replace both the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) and the Occupant Classification Module (OCM) at the same time. If both require replacement, replace one, then perform the Airbag System test before replacing the other. Both the ORC and the OCM store Occupant Classification System (OCS) calibration data, which they transfer to one another when one of them is replaced. If both are replaced at the same time, an irreversible fault will be set in both modules and the OCS may malfunction and result in personal injury or death.
Whether replaced or not, the OCS must be re-zeroed to make sure that the system in within proper parameters to sense the occupants weight correctly.
WARNING: Do not connect the battery negative cable. Personal injury or death may result if the system test is not performed first.
WARNING: Following successful completion of the Airbag System test procedure, the Occupant Classification System Verification Test must be done using a scan tool and the appropriate diagnostic information. Personal injury or death may result if the system test is not performed.
SEAT BELTS AND TENSIONERS
After a frontal impact where an airbag has been deployed due to a collision, the following MUST be replaced:
- Front Seat Belt and Retractor (driver and passenger) with integral Tensioners.
WARNING: Do not connect the battery negative cable. Personal injury or death may result if the system test is not performed first.
All other seat belts should be closely inspected for cuts, tears, fraying, or damage in any way following any frontal impact or airbag deployment. The other seat belts are to be replaced when visible damage is incurred. Inspect the Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH) child restraint anchors for damage after an impact event and replace as needed.
CLEANUP PROCEDURE
Following a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) component deployment, the vehicle interior will contain a powdery residue. This residue consists primarily of harmless particulate by-products of the small pyrotechnic charge that initiates the propellant used to deploy a SRS component. However, this residue may also contain traces of sodium hydroxide powder, a chemical by-product of the propellant material that is used to generate the inert gas that inflates the airbag. Since sodium hydroxide powder can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, or throat, be certain to wear safety glasses, rubber gloves, and a long-sleeved shirt during cleanup.
WARNING: To avoid serious or fatal injury, if you experience skin irritation during cleanup, run cool water over the affected area. Also, if you experience irritation of the nose or throat, exit the vehicle for fresh air until the irritation ceases. If irritation continues, see a physician.
1. Begin the cleanup by using a vacuum cleaner to remove any residual powder from the vehicle interior. Clean from outside the vehicle and work your way inside, so that you avoid kneeling or sitting on a non-cleaned area.
2. Be certain to vacuum the heater and air conditioning outlets as well. Run the heater and air conditioner blower on the lowest speed setting and vacuum any powder expelled from the outlets.
CAUTION: Deployed front airbags having two initiators (squibs) in the airbag inflator may or may not have live pyrotechnic material within the inflator. Do not dispose of these airbags unless you are certain of complete deployment. Refer to the AIRBAG SQUIB STATUS heading within this information. All damaged, ineffective, or non-deployed Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) components which are replaced on vehicles are to be handled and disposed of properly. If an airbag or seat belt tensioner unit is ineffective or damaged and non-deployed, refer to the Hazardous Substance Control System for information regarding the potentially hazardous properties of the subject component and the proper safe handling procedures. Then dispose of all non-deployed and deployed airbags and seat belt tensioners in a manner consistent with state, provincial, local and federal regulations.
3. Next, remove the deployed SRS components from the vehicle. Refer to the appropriate service removal procedures.
4. You may need to vacuum the interior of the vehicle a second time to recover all of the powder.