Accident With or Without Inflator Module 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.
| • | 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 steering wheel module coil |
| • | Inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) |
| • | Inflatable restraint electronic frontal sensor (EFS) |
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 EFS sensor -- 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, replace
the SIR sensor.
| • | Replace the sensor whether or not the air bags have deployed. |
| • | Replace the sensor even if the sensor 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.
