GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2009 🢒 Caprice WM 🢒 Safety and Security 🢒 Supplemental Inflatable Restraints 🢒 Repairs and Inspections Required After a Collision

Accident With or Without Air Bag Deployment - Component Inspections

Important: 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 (IP) area - inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage
    • The steering column, inspect for excessive movement (check for shear capsule separation)
    • The seat belts - perform the seat belt operational and functional checks Repairs and Inspections Required After a Collision .
    • The IP 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
    • The door and garnish trim
    • The roof and headliner mounting points
    • Front end sensors

Accident With Frontal Air Bag Deployment - Component Replacement and Inspections

Important: The following must be replaced after a accident:

    • Inflatable restraint SDM, refer to Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module Replacement .
    • Front end sensors, refer to Inflatable Restraint Front End Sensor Replacement .
    • Seat belt pretensioners, refer to Seat Belt Buckle Pretensioner Replacement .
    • Driver air bag, refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Replacement . Inflatable Restraint Instrument Panel Module Replacement .
    • Steering column, refer to Steering Column Replacement .
    • Steering wheel, refer to Steering Wheel Replacement .
    • Coil and the coil electrical harness, refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Coil Replacement .
    • All occupied seat belts. Refer to Seat Belts.
    • All occupied seats. Refer to Seats.

       Important: Inspect all mounting points and mounting hardware for after a accident

    • Mounting points or mounting hardware for the I/P module, steering wheel module, SDM, and pretensioner - inspect for any damage and repair or replace each component as needed

Accident With Side Air Bag Deployment - Component Replacement and Inspections

Important: The following must be replaced after a accident:

    • Inflatable restraint side impact sensors (SIS), on the side of the impact, refer to Driver or Passenger Seat Side Inflatable Restraint Module Replacement .
    • Inflatable restraint roof rail module, on the side of the impact (if fitted), refer to Inflatable Restraint Roof Side Rail Module Replacement - Front .
    • The steering column, inspect for excessive movement (check for shear capsule separation).
    • Inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM), refer to Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module Replacement .
    • Side impact air bags, on the side of impact (Replace the seat assembly), refer to Driver or Passenger Seat Side Inflatable Restraint Module Replacement .
    • All occupied seat belts including seat belt on impacted side. Refer to Seat Belts.
    • Seat belt pretensioner. Refer to Seat Belt Buckle Pretensioner Replacement .
    • A, B and C pillars and headliner when roof rail module has deployed. refer to Collision Repair.
    • Mounting points or mounting hardware for the Side Impact Sensor (SIS), 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 - inspect for any damage and repair or replace each component as needed

Sensor Replacement Guidelines

Important: The SIR front/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. The SIR front sensor must be replaced.

    • Replace the sensor whether or not the air bags have deployed.
    • Replace the sensor even if it appears to be undamaged.

       Important: 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.