Live (Undeployed) Inflator Module
Caution: Refer to SIR Inflator Module Handling and Storage Caution in the Preface section.
Take special care when handling or storing a live (undeployed) inflator module.
An inflator module deployment produces a rapid generation of gas. This may cause the
inflator module, or an object in front of the inflator module, to project through
the air in the event of an unlikely deployment.
Scrapping Procedure
During the course of a vehicle's useful life, certain situations may arise which
will require the disposal of a live (undeployed) inflator module. Do not dispose a
live (undeployed) inflator module through normal disposal channels until the inflator
module has been deployed. The following information covers the proper procedures for
the disposing of a live (undeployed) inflator module.
Do not deploy the inflator module in the following situations:
• | After replacement of an inflator module under warranty. The inflator module
may need to be returned undeployed to the manufacturer. |
• | 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. |
• | If the vehicle is involved in a campaign affecting the inflator modules.
Follow the instructions in the Campaign Service Bulletin for proper SIR handling procedures. |
Deployment Procedures
The inflator module 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 Outside Vehicle (Steering Wheel Module, I/P Module, and Side Impact
Module)
Deploy the inflator module 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 inflator module is malfunctioning. |
• | The inflator module is cosmetically damaged (scratched or ripped). |
• | The inflator module pigtail (if equipped) is damaged. |
• | The inflator module connector is damaged. |
• | The inflator module connector terminals are damaged. |
Deployment and disposal of a malfunctioning inflator module is subject to any
required retention period.
Caution: Refer to SIR Inflator Module Disposal Caution in the Preface section.
Tools Required
• | J 38826-50 Steering wheel module adapter |
• | J 38826-25 Side impact and I/P module adapter |
- Turn OFF the ignition.
- Remove the ignition key.
- Put on safety glasses.
- Remove the inflator module. Refer to the following:
• | Place the inflator module with the vinyl
trim cover facing up and away from the surface on a work bench. |
- Clear a space on the ground about 1.85 m
(6 ft) in diameter for deployment of the inflator module or deployment fixture.
If possible, use a paved, outdoor location free of activity. Otherwise, use a space
free of activity on the shop floor. Ensure that you have sufficient ventilation.
- Ensure that no loose or flammable objects are in the area.
- If you have a steering wheel inflator module, place the inflator module
in the center of the space.
- If you have an I/P inflator module, refer
to the following instructions:
• | Place the J 39401-B
SIR deployment fixture (2) in the center of the cleared area. |
• | Fill the deployment fixture with water or sand. |
• | Using the proper nuts and bolts, mount the I/P module (1) to the
deployment fixture (2), with the vinyl trim facing up. |
• | Securely tighten all fasteners that hold the I/P module (1) to
the deployment fixture (2). |
- If you have a side impact module, refer
to the following instructions:
• | Place the J 39401-B
SIR deployment fixture (3) in the center of the cleared area. |
• | Fill the deployment fixture with water or sand. |
• | Using the proper nuts and mount the side impact module (1) to the
deployment fixture (3), with the vinyl trim facing up. |
• | Adjust and secure the fixture arms (4) to the deployment fixture (3). |
• | Securely tighten all fasteners that hold the side impact module (1)
to the deployment fixture (3). |
- Inspect the J 38826
and the appropriate pigtail adapter for damage. Replace as needed.
- Short the 2 SIR deployment harness leads (1) together using 1 banana
plug seated into the other.
- Connect the appropriate pigtail adapter (2) to the SIR deployment
harness (1).
- Extend the SIR deployment harness and adapter
to full length from the deployment fixture.
- Connect the inflator module to the adapter (2)
on the SIR deployment harness (1).
- Place a 12 V minimum/2 A minimum power source (i.e., vehicle
battery) near the shorted end of the harness.
Important:
• | The rapid expansion of gas involved with deploying an inflator module
is very loud. Notify all the people in the immediate area that you intend to deploy
the inflator module. |
• | When the inflator module deploys, the deployment fixture may jump about
30 cm (1 ft) vertically. This is a normal reaction of the inflator module
due to the force of the rapid expansion of gas inside the inflator module. |
- Clear the area of people.
- Separate the 2 banana plugs on the SIR deployment harness.
- Connect the SIR deployment harness wires
to the power source. Inflator module deployment will occur when contact is made.
- Disconnect the SIR deployment harness from
the power source after the inflator module deploys.
- If the inflator module did not deploy, disconnect the adapter and discontinue
the procedure. Contact the Technical Assistance Group. Otherwise, proceed to the following
steps.
Caution: Refer to SIR Deployed Inflator Modules Are Hot Caution in the Preface section.
- Seat 1 banana plug into the other in order to short the deployment
harness leads.
- Put on a pair of shop gloves.
- Disconnect the pigtail adapter from the inflator module as soon as possible.
- Inspect the pigtail adapter and the SIR deployment harness. Replace as
needed.
- Dispose of the deployed inflator module through normal refuse channels.
- Wash hands with a mild soap.
Deployment Inside Vehicle (Vehicle Scrapping Procedure)
Deploy the inflator modules inside of the vehicle when destroying the vehicle
or when salvaging the vehicle for parts. This includes but is not limited to the following
situations:
• | The vehicle has completed its useful life. |
• | Irreparable damage occurs to the vehicle in a non-deployment type accident. |
• | Irreparable damage occurs to the vehicle during a theft. |
• | The vehicle is being salvaged for parts to be used on a vehicle with a
different VIN as opposed to rebuilding as the same VIN. |
Caution: Refer to SIR Inflatable Module Deployment Outside Vehicle Caution in the Preface section.
- Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
- Remove the ignition key.
- Remove the SIR fuse.
- Put on safety glasses.
- Remove all loose objects from the front seats.
- Disconnect the steering wheel module yellow connector (4) located
next to steering column (2).
- Cut the yellow harness connector out of
the vehicle, leaving at least 16 cm (6 in) of wire at the connector.
- Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each of the connector
wire leads.
- Cut two 6.1 m (20 ft) deployment
wires from a 0.8 mm (18 gage) or thicker multi-strand wire. Use these
wires to fabricate the driver deployment harness.
- Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends of the
wires cut in the previous step.
- Twist together 1 end from each of the wires in order to short the wires.
Deployment wires shall remain shorted, and not connected to a power source until you
are ready to deploy the inflator module.
- Twist together 1 connector wire lead to
1 deployment wire.
- Inspect that the previous connection is secure.
- Bend flat the twisted connection.
- Secure and insulate the connection using electrical tape.
- Twist together, bend, and tape the remaining
connector wire lead to the remaining deployment wire.
- Connect the deployment harness to the steering wheel module yellow connector.
- Route the deployment harness out of the
driver side of the vehicle.
- Disconnect the driver side impact module
yellow connector (1) from the vehicle wiring harness (4) located under
the driver seat.
- Cut the 2 side impact module wires leading
to the yellow harness connector, leaving at least 16 cm (6 in) of wire
at the connector.
- Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each of the side
impact module connector wire leads.
- Cut two 6.1 m (20 ft) deployment
wires from a 0.8 mm (18 gage) or thicker multi-strand wire. Use these
wires to fabricate the deployment harness.
- Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends of the
wires cut in the previous step.
- Twist together 1 end from each of the wires in order to short the wires.
Deployment wires shall remain shorted, and not connected to a power source until you
are ready to deploy the side impact module.
- Twist together 1 connector wire lead to
1 deployment wire.
- Inspect that the previous connection is secure.
- Bend flat the twisted connection.
- Secure and insulate the connection using electrical tape.
- Twist together, bend, and tape the remaining
connector wire lead to the remaining deployment wire.
- Connect the deployment harness to the side impact module - LF.
- Route the deployment harness out of the
driver side of the vehicle.
- Disconnect the I/P module yellow harness
connector (2) above passenger side sound insulator.
- Cut the harness connector out of the vehicle,
leaving at least 16 cm (6 in) of wire at the connector.
- Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each of the connector
wire leads.
- Cut two 6.1 m (20 ft) deployment
wires from a 0.8 mm (18 gage) or thicker multi-strand wire. These wires
will be used to fabricate the passenger deployment harness.
- Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends of the
wires cut in the previous step.
- Twist together 1 end from each of the wires in order to short the wires.
- Twist together 1 connector wire lead to
1 deployment wire.
- Bend flat the twisted connection.
- Secure and insulate the connection using electrical tape.
- Twist together, bend, and tape the remaining
connector wire lead to the remaining deployment wire.
- Connect the deployment harness to the IP module yellow connector.
- Route the deployment harness out of the
passenger side of the vehicle.
- Disconnect the passenger side impact module
yellow connector (1) from the vehicle wiring harness (4) located under
the passenger seat.
- Cut the 2 side impact module wires leading
to the yellow harness connector, leaving at least 16 cm (6 in) of wire
at the connector.
- Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each of the side
impact module connector wire leads.
- Cut two 6.1 m (20 ft) deployment
wires from a 0.8 mm (18 gage) or thicker multi-strand wire. Use these
wires to fabricate the deployment harness.
- Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends of the
wires cut in the previous step.
- Twist together 1 end from each of the wires in order to short the wires.
Deployment wires shall remain shorted, and not connected to a power source until you
are ready to deploy the side air bag module.
- Twist together 1 connector wire lead to
1 deployment wire.
- Inspect that the previous connection is secure.
- Bend flat the twisted connection.
- Secure and insulate the connection using electrical tape.
- Twist together, bend, and tape the remaining
connector wire lead to the remaining deployment wire.
- Connect the deployment harness to the side impact module - RF.
- Route the deployment harness out of the
passenger side of the vehicle.
- Completely cover the windshield and front
door window openings with a drop cloth.
- Stretch out all of the deployment harness wires on the left and right
side of the vehicle to their full length.
- Place a power source, 12 V minimum/2 A minimum (i.e., a
vehicle battery) near the shorted end of the harnesses.
- Separate the 1 set of wires and touch the wires ends to the power source
in order to deploy the inflator modules, doing 1 module at a time.
- Disconnect the deployment harness from the power source and twist the
wire ends together.
- Continue the same process with the remaining deployment harnesses that
are available.
- Remove the drop cloth from the vehicle.
- Disconnect all harnesses from the vehicle.
- Discard the harnesses.
- Scrap the vehicle in the same manner as a non-SIR equipped vehicle.
- If 1 or all of the inflator modules did not deploy, perform the following
steps to remove the undeployed modules from the vehicle:
- Call the Technical Assistance Group for further assistance.