GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 143197  Size: SH

CAUTION: When you are carrying an undeployed seat belt pretensioner:

   • Do not carry the seat belt pretensioner by the wires or connector on the pretensioner.
   • Do not touch the seat belt pretensioner in the area of the cable (1).
   • Do not cover the tube opening with your hand.
   • Keep the open end of the tube pointed away from you. Do not point the open end of the tube at another person.
   • When the pretensioner deploys the cable retracts. This shortens the pretensioner between the buckle and the mounting bolt. Grasp the pretensioner by the piston tube (2).
Disregarding these precautions may result in personal injury or unnecessary SIR system repairs.

Shipping Procedures

Refer to the latest service bulletins for proper shipping procedures.

Scrapping Procedure

During the course of a vehicle's useful life, certain situations may arise which will necessitate the disposal of a live (undeployed) pretensioner. The following information covers the proper procedures for the disposing of a live pretensioner. Deploy the pretensioner before disposal. Do not dispose of a live pretensioner through normal disposal channels.

CAUTION: In order to prevent accidental deployment of the pretensioner which could cause personal injury, do not dispose of an undeployed pretensioner as normal shop waste. The undeployed pretensioner contains substances that could cause severe illness or personal injury if the sealed container is damaged during disposal. Use the following deployment procedures to safely dispose of an undeployed pretensioner. Failure to dispose of a pretensioner as instructed may be a violation of federal, state, or local laws.

Do not deploy a pretensioner in the following situations:

    • After replacement of a pretensioner under warranty. The pretensioner may need to be returned undeployed to the original manufacturer of pretensioner. Refer to the latest service bulletin regarding pretensioner shipping procedures.
    • If the vehicle is the subject of a Product Liability report related to the SIR system and is subject to a Preliminary Investigation (GM-1241). Do not alter the SIR system in any manner. Refer to the latest service bulletin on SIR shipping procedures.
    • If the vehicle is involved in a campaign affecting the pretensioners. Follow the instructions in the Campaign Service Bulletin for proper SIR handling and shipping procedures.

Deployment Procedures

The pretensioner can be deployed inside or outside of the vehicle. The method used depends upon the final disposition of the vehicle. Review the following procedures in order to determine which will work best in a given situation.

Deployment Inside the Vehicle

Refer to Inflator Module Handling, Shipping, and Scrapping

Deployment Outside Vehicle for Seat Belt Pretensioners

Deploy the seat belt pretensioners outside of the vehicle when the vehicle will be returned to service. Situations that require deployment outside of the vehicle include the following:

    • Using the SIR diagnostics, you determine that the seat belt pretensioner does not function properly.
    • The seat belt pretensioner pigtail (if equipped) is damaged.
    • The seat belt pretensioner connector is damaged.
    • A seat belt pretensioner connector terminal is damaged.

Deployment and disposal of a malfunctioning seat belt pretensioner is subject to any required retention period.

CAUTION: In order to prevent accidental deployment of the pretensioner which could cause personal injury, do not dispose of an undeployed pretensioner as normal shop waste. The undeployed pretensioner contains substances that could cause severe illness or personal injury if the sealed container is damaged during disposal. Use the following deployment procedures to safely dispose of an undeployed pretensioner. Failure to dispose of a pretensioner as instructed may be a violation of federal, state, or local laws.

Tools Required

    • J 39401-B SIR Deployment Fixture
    • J 38826 SIR Deployment Harness
    • An appropriate pigtail adapter

CAUTION: When you are deploying a pretensioner for disposal, perform the deployment procedures in the order listed. Failure to follow the procedures in the order listed may result in personal injury.


    Object Number: 68645  Size: SH
  1. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
  2. Remove the ignition key.
  3. Put on safety glasses.
  4. Inspect the J 38826 SIR Deployment Harness.
  5. Short the 2 SIR deployment harness (1) leads together using one banana plug seated into the other.
  6. Connect the appropriate pigtail adapter (2) to the SIR deployment harness (1).

  7. Object Number: 143197  Size: SH

    CAUTION: When you are carrying an undeployed seat belt pretensioner:

       • Do not carry the seat belt pretensioner by the wires or connector on the pretensioner.
       • Do not touch the seat belt pretensioner in the area of the cable (1).
       • Do not cover the tube opening with your hand.
       • Keep the open end of the tube pointed away from you. Do not point the open end of the tube at another person.
       • When the pretensioner deploys the cable retracts. This shortens the pretensioner between the buckle and the mounting bolt. Grasp the pretensioner by the piston tube (2).
    Disregarding these precautions may result in personal injury or unnecessary SIR system repairs.

  8. Remove the seat belt pretensioner from the vehicle. Refer to Seat Belt Buckle Pretensioner Replacement - Left Side and/or Seat Belt Buckle Pretensioner Replacement - Right Side .

  9. Object Number: 483844  Size: SH
  10. Clear a space on the ground about 1.85 M (6 ft) in diameter for deployment of the module. If possible, use a paved, outdoor location free of activity. Otherwise, use a space free of activity on the shop floor. Make sure you have sufficient ventilation.
  11. Make sure no loose or flammable objects are in the area.
  12. Place the J 39401-B SIR Deployment Fixture.
  13. Fill the fixture plastic reservoir with water or sand.

  14. Object Number: 483846  Size: SH

    Important: Securely hand tighten all fasteners prior to deployment.

  15. Mount the module (1) in the SIR deployment fixture (3) with the open end facing up using the following mounting method.
  16. To mount, use the proper size bolt (2) and nut (5) with washers in order to secure the module (1) to the deployment fixture brackets (4).

  17. Object Number: 483848  Size: SH
  18. Extend the SIR deployment harness and adapter to full length from the seat belt pretensioner.
  19. Place a 12 V minimum/2 A minimum power source (i.e., vehicle battery) near the shorted end of the harness.

  20. Object Number: 483850  Size: SH
  21. Connect the seat belt pretensioner (1) to the adapter (2) on the SIR deployment harness (3).
  22. Firmly seat the adapter into the seat belt pretensioner connector.
  23. Clear the area of people.

  24. Object Number: 39382  Size: SH

    CAUTION: When you are deploying a pretensioner for disposal, perform the deployment procedures in the order listed. Failure to follow the procedures in the order listed may result in personal injury.

  25. Separate the 2 banana plugs on the SIR deployment harness.

  26. Object Number: 483854  Size: SH

    Important: The rapid gas expansion involved with deploying a pretensioner is very loud. Notify all the people in the immediate area that you intend to deploy the seat belt pretensioner.

  27. Connect the SIR deployment harness wires to the power source.
  28. Disconnect the SIR deployment harness from the power source after the pretensioner deploys.

  29. Object Number: 9581  Size: SH
  30. Seat one banana plug into the other in order to short the deployment harness leads.
  31. If the pretensioner did not deploy, disconnect the adapter and discontinue the procedure. Contact the Technical Assistance Group. Otherwise, proceed to the following steps.
  32. Put on a pair of shop gloves.
  33. Disconnect the pigtail adapter from the seat belt pretensioner as soon as possible.
  34. Inspect the pigtail adapter and the SIR deployment harness. Replace as needed.
  35. Dispose of the deployed seat belt pretensioner through normal refuse channels.
  36. Wash hands with a mild soap.

Handling a Deployed Pretensioner


Object Number: 483842  Size: SH

Some gas will be visible after deployment. Exposure to this gas is not a health concern. The pretensioner can be handled immediately after deployment.