Accident With or Without Air Bag Deployment -- Component Inspections
CAUTION: Proper operation of the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) sensing
system requires that any repairs to the vehicle structure return the vehicle
structure to the original production configuration. Not properly repairing
the vehicle structure could cause non-deployment of the air bag(s) in a frontal
collision or deployment of the air bag(s) for conditions less severe than
intended.
After any collision, inspect the following components as indicated. If you
detect any damage, replace the component. If you detect any damage to the mounting
points or mounting hardware, repair the component or replace the
hardware as needed.
| • | I/P Knee Bolsters and Mounting Points -- Inspect the knee bolsters
for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage. |
| • | I/P brackets, braces, etc. -- Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling,
or any other type of damage. |
| • | I/P Cross Car Beam -- Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or
any other type of damage. |
| • | I/P Mounting Points and Brackets -- Inspect for bending, twisting,
buckling, or any other type of damage. |
| • | Seats and Seat Mounting Points -- Inspect for bendingj, twisting,
buckling, or any other type of damage. |
Accident With Frontal Air Bag Deployment -- Component Replacement and
Inspections
After a collision involving air bag deployment, replace the following components.
If you detect any damage to the mounting points or mounting hardware, repair
or replace the mounting points and mounting hardware as needed.
| • | Inflatable restraint I/P (inflator) module |
| • | Inflatable restraint steering wheel (inflator) module |
| • | Inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) |
After a collision involving air bag deployment, inspect the Inflatable restraint
steering wheel module coil and the coil wiring pigtail for melting, scorching,
or other damage due to excessive heat. Perform this component inspection in
addition to the inspections indicated above in Accident With or Without Air
Bag Deployment. If you detect any damage, replace the component. If you detect
any damage to the mounting points or mounting hardware, repair the component
or replace the hardware as needed.
Accident With Side Air Bag Deployment -- Component Replacement and Inspections
After a collision involving side air bag deployment, replace the following
components on the side of the impact. If you detect any damage to the mounting points
or mounting hardware, repair or replace the mounting points and mounting hardware
as needed.
| • | Inflatable restraint side impact sensing module (SISM) |
| • | Inflatable restraint side impact inflator module |
| • | Inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) |
Perform the inspections indicated above in Accident With or Without Air Bag
Deployment. If you detect any damage, replace the component. If you detect andy damage
to the mounting points or mounting hardware, repair the component or replace the
hardware as needed.
Sensor Replacement Guidelines
The SIR/side air bag sensor replacement policy requires replacing sensors in
the area of accident damage. The area of accident damage is defined as the portion
of the vehicle which is crushed, bent, or damaged due to a collision. For
example, a moderate collision where the front of the vehicle impacts a tree.
If the vehicle has a SIR sensor mounted forward of the radiator, it must
be replaced.
| • | Replace the sensor whether or not the air bags have deployed. |
| • | Replace the sensor even if it appears to be undamaged. |
Sensor damage which is not visible, such as slight bending of the mounting
bracket or cuts in the wire insulation, can cause improper operation of the
SIR/side air bag sensing system. Do not try to determine whether the sensor is
undamaged, replace the sensor. Also, if you follow a Diagnostic Trouble
Code (DTC) table and a malfunctioning sensor is indicated, replace the sensor.
