Caution: When you are carrying an undeployed inflator module:

Take special care when handling and storing a live (undeployed) inflator module. Air bag deployment produces rapid gas generation. This may cause the inflator module, or an object in front of the inflator module, to jettison through the air in the unlikely event of an accidental deployment.

Service personnel should refer to the latest Service Bulletins for proper SIR inflator module shipping procedures.

During the course of a vehicle's useful life, certain situations may arise which will necessitate the disposal of a live (undeployed) inflator module. This information covers proper procedures for disposing of live a inflator module.

Caution: In order to prevent accidental deployment of the air bag which could cause personal injury, do not dispose of an undeployed inflator module as normal shop waste. The undeployed inflator module contains substances that could cause severe illness or personal injury if the sealed container is damaged during disposal. Use the following deployment procedures to safely dispose of an undeployed inflator module. Failure to dispose of an inflator module as instructed may be a violation of federal, state, province, or local laws.

Before you dispose of a live inflator module, you must deploy the inflator module. Do not dispose of live inflator modules through normal refuse channels.

Do not deploy the air bag(s) in the following situations:

You can deploy an inflator module inside or outside of the vehicle. The method you use depends upon the final disposition of the vehicle. Read Deployment Outside Vehicle and Deployment Inside Vehicle to decide whether to deploy the inflator module inside or outside of the vehicle.

Tools Required

J 38826

Deploy the inflatable restraint steering wheel inflator module outside of the vehicle when you intend to return the vehicle to service. Situations that require deploying the inflator module outside the vehicle include the following:

Deployment and disposal of a malfunctioning inflator module is subject to any required retention period.

You must follow these inflator module deployment procedures exactly. Always wear safety glasses during this deployment procedure. Do not remove your safety glasses until the deployed inflator module is scrapped or shipped.

Before performing the procedures you should be familiar with servicing the SIR system and with proper handling of the inflator module. Procedures should be read fully before they are performed. The following procedure requires use of J 38826 with appropriate pigtail adapter. Do not attempt this procedure without J 38826 , and the adapter.

CAUTION: When you are deploying an inflator module for disposal, perform the deployment procedures in the order listed. Failure to follow the procedures in the order listed may result in personal injury.

1. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
2. Remove the key.
3. Put on safety glasses.
4. Inspect the J 38826 for damage. Inspect the appropriate pigtail adapter for damage. If damage occurs to the SIR deployment harness, or the pigtail adapter, then obtain a replacement.



5. Short the two SIR deployment harness leads together by fully seating one banana plug into the other.

•	Keep the SIR deployment harness shorted until the air bag is to be deployed.

•	Do not correct the SIR deployment to a power source until the air bag is to be deployed.

6. Connect the appropriate pigtail adapter to the SIR deployment harness.
7. Remove the inflatable restraint steering wheel inflator module from the vehicle. Refer to Driver Inflator in Steering Column in Section 3F.
8. Remove the horn lead from the back of the inflator module, if applicable.
9. Remove the redundant steering wheel control lead(s) from the back of the inflatable restraint steering wheel module, if applicable.
10. Remove all of the horn buttons and redundant steering wheel control buttons from the inflatable restraint steering wheel module, if applicable.




Caution: When you are carrying an undeployed inflator module:

•	Do not carry the inflator module by the wires or connector on the inflator module

•	Make sure the bag opening points away from you

When you are storing an undeployed inflator module, make sure the bag opening points away from the surface on which the inflator module rests. When you are storing a steering column, do not rest the column with the bag opening facing down and the column vertical. Provide free space for the air bag to expand in case of an accidental deployment. Otherwise, personal injury may result.
11. Place the inflator module with its vinyl trim covering facing up and away from the surface on a work bench or another surface.
12. Place the inflator module away from all loose or flammable objects.



13. Clear a space on the ground about 1.85 m (6 ft) in diameter where you intend to deploy the inflator module. If possible, use a paved, outdoor location free of activity. Otherwise, use a space free of activity on the shop floor. Make sure you have sufficient ventilation.
14. Make sure that no loose or flammable objects are within the deployment area.
15. Place the inflator module in the space cleared, with its vinyl trim cover facing up.



16. Extend the SIR deployment harness and the pigtail adapter to full length from the inflator module.
17. Place a power source near the shorted end of the SIR deployment harness. Use a vehicle battery when available, but always use a power source that complies to the following:

•	12 volts minimum

•	2 amps minimum

Important: Firmly seat the pigtail adapter into the inflator module connector. Failure to fully seat the connectors may result in non-deployment of the inflator module.




18. Connect the inflator module to the pigtail adapter on the SIR deployment harness.

•	The deployment harness shall remain shorted until you are ready to deploy the air bag.

•	Do not connect the inflator module to a power source until you are ready to deploy the air bag.

•	The inflator module will immediately deploy when you connect the power source.

19. Clear the area of all people, and any loose or flammable objects.
20. Make sure that you place the inflator module with its vinyl trim cover facing up.
21. Notify all the people in the immediate area before you deploy the inflator module.

•	A driver inflator module deployment is very load.

•	This may startle any uninformed people in the area.





CAUTION: When you are deploying an inflator module for disposal, perform the deployment procedures in the order listed. Failure to follow the procedures in the order listed may result in personal injury.

IMPORTANT: The rapid gas expansion involved with deploying an air bag is very load. Notify all the people in the immediate area that you intend to deploy the inflator module.

IMPORTANT: When the air bag deploys, the inflator module may jump about 30 cm (1 ft) vertically. This is a normal reaction of the inflator module to the force of the rapid gas expansion inside the air bag.

22. Separate the two banana plugs on the SIR deployment harness.



23. Connect the SIR deployment harness wires to the power source. This immediately deploys the inflator module.
24. Use a vehicle battery for the power source when available. Always use a power source that complies to the following:

•	12 volts minimum

•	2 amps minimum

25. Disconnect the SIR deployment harness from the power source.



26. Short the SIR deployment harness leads together by fully seating one banana plug into the other.
27. In the unlikely event that the inflator module did not deploy after following these procedures, proceed immediately with steps 33 through 36. If the inflator module did deploy, proceed with steps 28 through 32.



28. Put on a pair of shop gloves to protect your hands from possible heat and irritation when handling the deployed inflator module.

After the inflator module has deployed, the surface of the air bag may contain a powdery residue. This powder consists primarily of cornstarch (used to lubricate the bag as it inflates), and by-products of the chemical reaction. The deployment reaction produces sodium hydroxide dust (similar to lye soap). The sodium hydroxide quickly reacts with the atmospheric moisture. This atmospheric moisture converts the sodium hydroxide into sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Therefore, you will probably find no sodium hydroxide present after the deployment. Gloves and safety glasses are recommended, however, as a precaution. Gloves and safety glasses help to prevent possible irritation of the skin or eyes.

CAUTION: After an air bag deploys, the metal surfaces of the inflator module are very hot. To help avoid a fire or personal injury:

•	Allow sufficient time for cooling before touching any metal surface of the inflator module.

•	Do not place the deployed inflator module near any flammable objects.

29. The metal canister, and the area surrounding the deployed inflator module are very hot. Do not touch the metal areas of the inflator module for about ten minutes after deployment. If you must move the deployed inflator module, use caution. Always wear gloves, and handle the inflator module by the air bag or the vinyl trim.
30. Disconnect the pigtail adapter from the inflator module as soon after the deployment as possible. This will prevent the hot inflator module canister from damaging the pigtail adapter, or the SIR deployment harness. The pigtail adapter and the SIR deployment harness are reusable.
31. Inspect the pigtail adapter, and the SIR deployment harness for damage after each use. Replace the pigtail adapter, or the SIR deployment harness, as necessary.
32. Allow the deployed inflator module to cool for at least 10 minutes. Dispose of the deployed inflator module through the normal refuse channels.
33. Wash your hands with a mild soap and water.

Notice: Follow the remaining steps in the unlikely event that the inflator module does not deploy after you have completed the previous procedures.

34. Make sure that you disconnected the SIR deployment harness from the power source. Make sure that you have shorted the two banana plugs together.
35. Disconnect the pigtail adapter from the inflator module.




Caution: When you are carrying an undeployed inflator module:

•	Do not carry the inflator module by the wires or connector on the inflator module

•	Make sure the bag opening points away from you

When you are storing an undeployed inflator module, make sure the bag opening points away from the surface on which the inflator module rests. When you are storing a steering column, do not rest the column with the bag opening facing down and the column vertical. Provide free space for the air bag to expand in case of an accidental deployment. Otherwise, personal injury may result.
36. Temporarily store the inflator module with its vinyl trim cover facing up.
37. Call the Technical Assistance group for further assistance.

Tools Required

J 38826

Deploy the inflatable restraint steering wheel inflator module inside the vehicle when destroying the vehicle. Deploy the inflator module inside the vehicle when salvaging the vehicle for component parts. This includes, but is not limited to the following situations:

1. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
2. Remove the key.
3. Put on safety glasses.
4. Remove all the loose objects from the front seats.



5. Disconnect the inflator module yellow 2-way connector. This connector is located at the base of the steering column.
6. Cut the inflator module yellow 2-way connector from the vehicle. Leave at least 16 cm (6 inches) of wire at the connector.
7. Strip 13 mm (0.5 inch) of insulation from each wire lead of the connector.
8. Cut two 4.6 m (15 ft) deployment wires from 0.8 mm (18 gauge) or thicker multistrand wire. Use these wires to fabricate the deployment harness.
9. Strip 13 mm (0.5 inch) of insulation from both ends of the wires cut in the previous step.




CAUTION: When you are deploying an inflator module for disposal, perform the deployment procedures in the order listed. Failure to follow the procedures in the order listed may result in personal injury.

10. Short the wires by twisting together one end from each. Deployment wires shall remain shorted, and not connected to a power source until you are ready to deploy the air bag.



11. Twist together one connector wire lead to one deployment wire. The connection must be mechanically secure.



12. Bend flat the twisted connection that you made in the previous step. Secure the connection by wrapping tightly with electrical tape. This will also insulate the connection.



13. Twist together, bend and tape the remaining connector wire lead to the remaining deployment wire.
14. Connect the deployment harness to the inflator module yellow 2-way connector at the base of the steering column.
15. Route the deployment harness out the driver side of the vehicle.
16. Be sure to clear the inside of the vehicle and the area surrounding the vehicle of any people. Clear the vehicle of all loose or flammable objects.



17. Stretch the deployment harness to its full length.
18. Completely cover the windshield area and the front door window openings with a drop cloth, blanket or similar item. This reduces the possibility of injury due to possible fragmentation of the vehicle's glass or interior.
19. Notify everyone in the immediate area that you intend to deploy the air bag. The deployment will be very load. This may startle any uninformed people in the area.
20. Place a power source near the shorted end of the SIR deployment harness. Use a vehicle battery when available, but always use a power source that complies to the following:

•	12 volts minimum

•	2 amps minimum





CAUTION: When you are deploying an inflator module for disposal, perform the deployment procedures in the order listed. Failure to follow the procedures in the order listed may result in personal injury.

IMPORTANT: The rapid gas expansion involved with deploying an air bag will be very load. Notify all the people in the immediate area that you intend to deploy the inflator module.

21. Separate the two ends of the of the deployment harness wires.



22. Connect the deployment harness wires to a power source. This will immediately deploy the inflator module.

After the inflator module has deployed, the surface of the air bag may contain a powdery residue. This powder consists primarily of cornstarch (used to lubricate the bag as it inflates), and by-products of the chemical reaction. The deployment reaction produces sodium hydroxide dust (similar to lye soap). The sodium hydroxide quickly reacts with the atmospheric moisture. This atmospheric moisture converts the sodium hydroxide into sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Therefore, you will probably find no sodium hydroxide present after the deployment. Gloves and safety glasses are recommended, however, as a precaution. Gloves and safety glasses help to prevent possible irritation of the skin or eyes.

The metal canister, and the area surrounding the deployed inflator module are very hot. Do not touch the metal areas of the inflator module for about ten minutes after deployment. If you must move the deployed inflator module, use caution. Always wear gloves, and handle the inflator module by the air bag or the vinyl trim.

23. Disconnect the deployment harness wires from the power source.
24. Short the deployment harness wires by twisting one end from each of the wires together.
25. Carefully remove the drop cloth from the vehicle.
26. Disconnect the deployment harness from the vehicle.
27. Discard the deployment harness.
28. After deploying the inflator module, you may scrap the vehicle in the manner as a non-SIR equipped vehicle
29. In the unlikely event that the inflator module did not deploy after following these procedures, proceed immediately with steps 30 through 32.

Caution: When you are carrying an undeployed inflator module:

•	Do not carry the inflator module by the wires or connector on the inflator module

•	Make sure the bag opening points away from you

When you are storing an undeployed inflator module, make sure the bag opening points away from the surface on which the inflator module rests. When you are storing a steering column, do not rest the column with the bag opening facing down and the column vertical. Provide free space for the air bag to expand in case of an accidental deployment. Otherwise, personal injury may result.
30. Remove the undeployed inflator module from the vehicle. Refer to Driver Inflator in Steering Column in Section 3F.
31. Temporarily store the inflator module with its vinyl trim cover facing up.
32. Call the Technical Assistance group for further assistance.

After the inflator module has deployed, the surface of the air bag may contain a powdery residue. This powder consists primarily of cornstarch (used to lubricate the bag as it inflates), and by-products of the chemical reaction. The deployment reaction produces sodium hydroxide dust (similar to lye soap). The sodium hydroxide quickly reacts with the atmospheric moisture. This atmospheric moisture converts the sodium hydroxide into sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Therefore, you will probably find no sodium hydroxide present after the deployment. Gloves and safety glasses are recommended, however, as a precaution. Gloves and safety glasses help to prevent possible irritation of the skin or eyes.