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.
• | Steering column - Perform the steering column accident damage
inspection procedures. Refer to Steering Column Accident Damage Inspection - Off Vehicle
in Steering
Wheel and Column - Tilt. |
• | IP Knee Bolsters and Mounting Points - Inspect the knee bolsters
for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage. |
• | IP brackets, braces, etc. - Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling,
or any other type of damage. |
• | IP Cross Car Beam - Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or
any other type of damage. |
• | IP Mounting Points and Brackets - Inspect for bending, twisting,
buckling, or any other type of damage. |
• | 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. If you detect any damage to the mounting points or mounting hardware,
repair or replace the mounting points and mounting hardware as needed.
• | Inflatable restraint IP module |
• | Inflatable restraint steering wheel module |
• | Inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) |
After a collision involving air bag deployment, inspect the Inflatable
restraint steering wheel module coil and the coil wiring pigtail for melting,
scorching, or other damage due to excessive heat. Perform this component
inspection in addition to the inspections indicated above in Accident With
or Without Air Bag Deployment. 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.
Accident With Driver Side Air Bag Deployment - Component Replacement
and Inspections
After a collision involving a driver side air bag deployment, replace
the following components on the side of the impact. If you detect any damage
to the mounting points or mounting hardware, repair or replace the mounting
points and mounting hardware as needed.
• | Inflatable restraint side impact sensor (SIS) |
• | Inflatable restraint side impact inflator module |
• | Inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) |
Perform the inspections indicated above in Accident With or Without
Air Bag Deployment. 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.
Sensor Replacement Guidelines
The inflatable restraint side impact sensor (SIS) 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. In this case, a moderate collision where the side
of the vehicle, near the LH B pillar, is crushed, bent, or damaged due to
a collision, requires replacement of the sensor. The sensor must be replaced
whether a driver side air bag has deployed or if the sensor seems to be undamaged.
Sensor damage which is not visible, such as a slight bending of the mounting
bracket or cuts in the wire insulation, can cause improper operation of the
sensor. 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.