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.
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 side impact air bag(s)
in a side impact collision or deployment of the side impact 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 I/P knee bolsters and mounting points - Inspect the knee bolsters
for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage. |
| • | The I/P brackets, braces, etc. - Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling,
or any other type of damage. |
| • | The I/P cross car beam - Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or
any other type of damage. |
| • | The I/P 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 Frontal Air Bag Deployment -- Component Replacement and
Inspections
After a collision involving air bag deployment, replace the following components.
| • | Inflatable restraint I/P module |
| • | Inflatable restraint steering wheel module |
| • | Inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) |
| • | Inflatable restraint front end sensors |
| • | Inflatable restraint side impact modules, front seat air bags, if deploy |
| • | Inflatable restraint seat belt pretensioners |
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), left/right, on the side
of the impact. |
| • | Inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM). |
| • | Inflatable restraint seat belt pretensioners |
Perform additional inspections on the following components.
| • | Mounting points or mounting hardware for the SIS, and side impact module
(LF/RF) 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 pretensioners
- Inspect for any damage and repair or replace each component 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. 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
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.
