GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. For both frontal and side impact air bags, the sensing system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which inflates the air bag. The inflator, the air bag and related hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the steering wheel, the instrument panel, and the side of the front seatbacks closest to the door.