Caution: Refer to SIR Inflator Module Handling and Storage Caution in the Preface section.
Live (Undeployed) Inflator Modules
Use special care when
handling or storing live (undeployed) inflator modules. 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 Procedures
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 of a live (undeployed) inflator module through normal disposal
channels until the inflator module has been deployed. The following information
covers the proper procedures for disposing of a live (undeployed) inflator
module.
Do not deploy an 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 (GM-1241)
related to the SIR system. When a vehicle is the subject of a product liability
report, 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
Inflator modules 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 (IP Module, and Steering Wheel Module)
Deploy inflator modules 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
• | An appropriate pigtail adaptor |
- Turn OFF the ignition.
- Remove the ignition key.
- Put on safety glasses.
- Remove the inflator module. Refer to the following:
Caution: Refer to SIR Inflator Module Handling and Storage Caution in the Preface section.
- Place the inflator module
with the vinyl trim cover facing up and away from the surface on a work bench,
floor or deployment fixture.
- Clear an area on the floor
approximately 1.85 m (6 ft) in diameter for deployment of the
inflator module. If possible, use a paved, outdoor location free of activity.
Otherwise, use an area free of activity on the shop floor. Make sure you
have sufficient ventilation.
- Make sure no loose or flammable objects are in the area.
- When deploying a steering wheel module, place the steering wheel
module in the center of the cleared area.
- When deploying an IP 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 (2) with water or sand. |
• | Mount the IP module (1) in the deployment fixture (2) with the
vinyl/plastic trim facing up. |
• | To mount, use 4 M 6 bolts (6), nuts (8), and washers (7)
to properly secure the IP module (1) to the deployment fixture (2). |
• | Tighten all fasteners prior to deployment. |
- Inspect the J 38826
SIR deployment harness and the appropriate
pigtail adapter for damage. Replace as needed.
- Short the 2 SIR deployment harness (1) leads together using one
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
(1) to the adapter (2) on the SIR deployment harness (3).
- Clear the area of people.
Important:
• | The rapid expansion of gas involved with deploying an inflator
module is very loud. Notify all people in the immediate area that an inflator
module will be deployed. |
• | When the inflator module deploys, the deployment fixture may jump
vertically. This is a normal reaction of the inflator module due to the force
of the rapid expansion of gas inside the inflator module. |
- Separate the 2 banana
plugs on the SIR deployment harness.
- Place a 12 volt
minimum/2 A minimum power source (i.e. vehicle battery) near the shorted
end of 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.
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.
- If the inflator module did not deploy, disconnect the adapter
and discontinue the procedure. Contact the Technical Assistance Group for
further assistance. Otherwise, proceed to the following steps.
- Put on a pair of shop
gloves.
- Disconnect the pigtail adapter from the inflator module as soon
as possible.
- Dispose of the deployed inflator module through normal refuse
channels.
- Wash hands with a mild soap.
Deployment Inside Vehicle (Vehicle Scrapping Procedures)
Deploy 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: When you are deploying an inflator module for disposal, perform the
deployment procedures in the order listed. Failure to follow the procedures
in the order listed may result in personal injury.
- Turn OFF the ignition.
- Remove the ignition key.
- Put on safety glasses.
- Remove all loose objects from the front seats.
- Disconnect the inflatable restraint steering wheel module connector
(2) located next to the steering column.
- Cut the steering wheel
module 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 2 6.1 m (15 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 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 connector.
- Route the deployment harness
out of the vehicle's driver side.
- Disconnect the inflatable
restraint IP module connector (1) located under the instrument panel extension
(3).
- Cut the IP module 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 2 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 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 connector.
- Route the deployment harness
out of the vehicle's passenger side.
- Stretch the driver side harness to full length.
- Stretch the passenger side harness to full length.
- Completely cover the windshield and front door window openings
with a drop cloth.
- Place a power source,
12 volt minimum/2 A minimum (i.e., a vehicle battery) near the
shorted ends of the passenger side deployment harness.
- Separate the 2 ends of the IP module deployment harness wires.
- Connect the IP module deployment harness wires to the power source
in order to deploy the IP module.
- Disconnect the IP module deployment harness wires from the power
source.
- Twist together 1 end of
each wire of the IP module on the passenger side deployment harness in order
to short the wires.
- Move the power source,
12 volt minimum/2 A minimum (i.e., a vehicle battery) near the
shorted ends of the driver side deployment harness.
- Separate the 2 ends of the steering wheel module deployment harness
wires.
- Connect the steering wheel module deployment harness wires to
the power source in order to deploy the steering wheel module.
- Disconnect the steering wheel module deployment harness wires
from the power source.
- Twist together 1 end of
each wire of the steering wheel module on the driver side deployment harness
in order to short the wires.
- 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 one or all of the inflator modules did not deploy, perform
the following steps to remove the undeployed modules from the vehicle:
- Contact the Technical Assistance Group for further assistance.