FRONT IMPACT SENSORS
The driver air bag system is a safety device de-
signed to reduce the risk of fatality or serious injury,
caused by a frontal impact of the vehicle.
The impact sensors provide verification of the di-
rection and severity of the impact. Three impact sen-
sors are used. One is called a safing sensor. It is
located
inside
the
diagnostic
module
which
is
mounted on the floor pan, just forward of the center
console. The other two sensors are mounted on the
upper crossmember of the radiator closure panel on
the left and right side of the vehicle under the hood.
The impact sensors are threshold sensitive switches
that complete an electrical circuit when an impact
provides a sufficient G force to close the switch. The
sensors are calibrated for the specific vehicle and re-
act to the severity and direction of the impact.
CLOCKSPRING
The clockspring is mounted on the steering column
behind the steering wheel, and is used to maintain a
continuous electrical circuit between the wiring har-
ness and the driver’s air bag module. This assembly
consists of a flat ribbon-like electrically conductive
tape which winds and unwinds with the steering
wheel rotation.
DIAGNOSTIC MODULE
The Air Bag System Diagnostic Module (ASDM)
contains the safing sensor and energy reserve capac-
itor. The ASDM monitors the system to determine
the system readiness. The ASDM will store sufficient
energy to deploy the air bag for only two minutes af-
ter the battery is disconnected. If both front impact
sensors are open the air bag could be deployed up to
9.5 minutes after the battery is disconnected. The
ASDM contains on-board diagnostics, and will illumi-
nate the AIR BAG warning lamp in the cluster when
a fault occurs.
STORAGE
The air bag module must be stored in its original
special container until used for service. Additionally,
it must be stored in a clean, dry environment, away
from sources of extreme heat, sparks, and sources of
high electrical energy. Always place or store the
module on a surface with the trim cover facing up to
minimize movement in case of accidental deploy-
ment.
HANDLING LIVE MODULE
At no time should any source of electricity be per-
mitted near the inflator on the back of the module.
When carrying a live module, the trim cover should
be pointed away from the body to minimize injury in
the event of accidental deployment. In addition, if
the module is placed on a bench or other surface, the
plastic trim cover should be face up to minimize
movement in case of accidental deployment.
When handling a steering column with an air bag
module attached, never place the column on the floor
or other surface with the steering wheel or module
face down.
DEPLOYED MODULE
The vehicle interior may contain a very small
amount of sodium hydroxide powder, a byproduct of
air bag deployment. Since this powder can irritate
the skin, eyes, nose or throat, be sure to wear safety
glasses, rubber gloves and long sleeves during
cleanup (Fig. 2).
If you find that the cleanup is irritating your skin,
run cool water over the affected area. Also, if you ex-
perience nasal or throat irritation, exit the vehicle
for fresh air until the irritation ceases. If irritation
continues, see a physician.
CLEANUP PROCEDURE
Begin the cleanup by putting tape over the two air
bag exhaust vents (Fig. 3) so that no additional pow-
der will find its way into the vehicle interior. Then
remove the air bag and air bag module from the ve-
hicle.
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any residual pow-
der from the vehicle interior. Work from the outside
in so that you avoid kneeling or sitting in a un-
cleaned area.
Be sure to vacuum the heater and A/C outlets as
well (Fig. 4). In fact it’s a good idea to run the blower
on low and to vacuum up any powder expelled from
the plenum. You may need to vacuum the interior of
the car a second time to recover all of the powder.
Place the deployed bag and module in your auto-
motive scrap.
Fig. 2 Wear Safety Glasses and Rubber Gloves
8M - 2
RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
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