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.
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
checking procedures. Refer to Steering Column Accident Damage in Steering
Wheel and Column - Tilt. |
| • | I/P Knee Bolsters - Inspect the knee bolsters for bending, twisting,
buckling, or any other type of damage. |
| • | I/P brackets, braces, etc. - Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling,
or any other type of damage. |
Accident With Air Bag Deployment -- Component Replacement and
Inspections
After a collision involving frontal 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.
Sensor Replacement Guidelines
The SIR 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. For
example, a moderate collision where the front of the vehicle impacts a tree.
If the vehicle has a 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 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.
