Accident With or Without Inflator Module Deployment - Component Inspections
Caution: Proper operation of the 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 in a collision
or deployment 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 or replace the mounting points and mounting 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. |
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, replace the component. 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 front end sensors, if equipped with dual stage air
bags |
| • | Inflatable restraint instrument panel (I/P) module |
| • | Inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) |
| • | Inflatable restraint steering wheel module |
| • | Inflatable restraint steering wheel module coil |
| • | Seat belt 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, front end sensors, if equipped with dual stage air bags, and seat belt
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. 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) (left/right), on the side
of the impact. |
| • | Inflatable restraint side impact module (left/right), on the side of the
impact. |
| • | Inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM). |
| • | Seat belt pretensioner, on the side of impact. |
Perform additional inspections on the following components.
| • | Mounting points or mounting hardware for the SIS, side impact module (left/right),
and seat belt pretensioner 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
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 DTC table and a malfunctioning sensor is indicated,
replace the sensor.
