Accident With or Without Air Bag Deployment - Component Inspections
CAUTION: Proper operation of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) 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 in a frontal collision
or deployment of the air bag 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 instrument panel knee bolsters and mounting points--Inspect the knee bolsters for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage |
| • | The instrument panel brackets, braces, etc.--Inspect them for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage. |
| • | The instrument panel cross car beam--Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage. |
| • | The instrument panel mounting points and brackets--Inspect the for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage. |
| • | The roof and headliner mounting points |
Accident With Frontal Air Bag Deployment - Component Replacement and Inspections
After a collision involving air bag deployment, replace the following components.
Important: The front passenger seat is equipped with a PPS, which detects the pressure from the front passenger to determine whether to disable or enable the I/P air bags.
| • | Inflatable Restraint I/P Module |
| • | Inflatable restraint Steering Wheel Module |
| • | SIR system sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) |
| • | Inflatable Restraint Front End Sensor |
| • | Inflatable restraint side impact module, front seat air bags, if deployed |
| • | Inflatable restraint seat belt pretensioners |
| • | Inflatable restraint passenger presence system |
Perform additional inspections on the following components:
| • | Steering wheel module coil and the coil wiring pigtail: inspect for melting, scorching, or other damage due to excessive heat. |
| • | Mounting points or mounting hardware for the I/P module, steering wheel module, SDM, and pretensioners--Inspect for any damage and repair or replace each component as needed. |
Accident With Side Air Bag Deployment - Component Replacement and Inspections
After a collision involving side air bag deployment, replace the following components:
| • | Inflatable restraint side impact sensors (SIS), on the side of the impact |
| • | Inflatable restraint roof rail module, on the side of the impact |
| • | Inflatable restraint side impact modules, front seat air bags, if deployed |
| • | Inflatable restraint SDM |
| • | Inflatable restraint seat belt pretensioner |
Perform additional inspections on the following components:
| • | Mounting points or mounting hardware for the SIS, and side impact module on the side of impact--Inspect for any damage and repair or replace each component as needed. |
| • | Mounting points or mounting hardware for the roof rail module on the side of impact--Inspect for any damage and repair or replace each component as needed. |
| • | Mounting points or mounting hardware for the SDM and seat belt pretensioner--Inspect for any damage and repair or replace each component as needed. |
Sensor Replacement Guidelines
The SIR/side airbag 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 an 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 airbag 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.
