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 (I/P 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 I/P 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 I/P 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 I/P 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 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 (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.
Important: 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 V 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: Refer to SIR Inflatable Module Deployment Outside Vehicle Caution in the Preface section.
- 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 two 4.6 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
one 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.
- 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, bend, and tape the remaining
connector wire lead to the remaining deployment wire.
- Route the deployment harness out of the
vehicle's driver side.
- Disconnect the inflatable restraint I/P
module connector (1) located behind the glove box (3).
- Cut the I/P 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 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 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 I/P module connector.
- Route the deployment harness out of the
vehicle's passenger side.
- 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.
- Bend flat the twisted connection.
- Secure and insulate the connection using electrical tape.
- 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 V 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 I/P module deployment harness wires.
- Connect the I/P module deployment harness wires to the power source in
order to deploy the I/P module.
- Disconnect the I/P module deployment harness wires from the power source.
- Twist together 1 end of each wire of the
I/P module on the passenger side deployment harness in order to short the wires.
- Move the power source, 12 V 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 module(s) from the vehicle:
- Contact the Technical Assistance Group for further assistance.