Technician Safety Information
WARNING:- Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
- Carry a live air bag module with the air bag and trim cover pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
- Do not set a live air bag module down with the trim cover face down. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
- After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
- Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.
- Air bag modules with discolored or damaged trim covers must be replaced, not repainted.
- Side air bag modules with damaged covers must be replaced.
- The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system service only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
- To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.
The side impact sensors are attached to the rocker panels, near the seats.
To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).
- To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warnings, cautions, notes, and instructions in the supplemental restraint system (SRS) deactivation/reactivation procedure. Refer to Air Bag(s) Arming and Disarming.
- If the air bag module is discolored or damaged it must be replaced, not repaired.
- Front seat back trim covers installed on seats equipped with side air bags cannot be repaired. They are to be replaced (cleaning is permissible).
- Do not disconnect the wire connector at the side air bag module. This is a permanent connection, doing so may result in air bag accidental deployment, which may result in personal injury.
- Inspect the mounting surfaces of the side air bag module and the seat hack frame mounting bracket for any foreign objects before installing the side air bag module. If any foreign objects are found, remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.
- Inspect the side air bag cavity in the seat back pad for any foreign objects. If any foreign objects are found remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.
- Before installing the side air bag module, check it for damage and foreign objects. If the air bag module is damaged, replace it. If any foreign objects are found, remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury in the event of an air bag deployment.
- If the air bag cover has separated or the air bag material has been exposed, install a new side air bag module. Do not attempt to repair tile air bag module. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.