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.
| • | The IP knee bolsters and mounting points - Inspect the knee bolsters
for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage. |
| • | The IP brackets, braces, etc. - Inspect for bending, twisting,
buckling, or any other type of damage. |
| • | The IP cross car beam - Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling,
or any other type of damage. |
| • | The IP mounting points and brackets - Inspect for bending, twisting,
buckling, or any other type of damage. |
| • | The seats and seat mounting points - Inspect for bending, twisting,
buckling, or any other type of damage. |
Accident With Air Bag Deployment -- Component Replacement and
Inspections
After a collision involving air bag deployment, replace the following
components.
| • | Inflatable restraint IP module |
| • | Inflatable restraint steering wheel module |
| • | Inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) |
| • | Inflatable restraint front end discriminating sensor |
Perform additional inspections on the following components.
| • | Steering wheel module coil and the coil wiring pigtail
for melting, scorching, or other damage due to excessive heat. |
| • | Mounting points or mounting hardware for the IP module, steering
wheel module, SDM, and front end sensor - Inspect for any damage and repair
or replace each component as needed. |
Sensor Replacement Guidelines
The SIR 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.
An example of this would be 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 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.
