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 instrument panel (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. |
| • | The roof and headliner mounting points |
Accident With Frontal Air Bag Deployment - Component Replacement and
Inspections
After a collision involving air bag deployment, replace the following components:
| • | The inflatable restraint I/P module |
| • | The inflatable restraint steering wheel module |
| • | The inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) |
| • | The inflatable restraint front end sensor |
| • | The inflatable restraint seat belt retractor 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:
| • | The inflatable restraint side impact sensors (SIS), left/right, on the
side of the impact |
| • | The inflatable restraint roof rail module, left/right, on the side of
the impact |
| • | The inflatable restraint SDM |
| • | The inflatable restraint seat belt retractor pretensioner |
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 roof rail module (left/right)
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.
