GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

CAUTION: When you are carrying an undeployed seat belt pretensioner:

   • Do not carry the seat belt pretensioner by the wires or connector on the pretensioner.
   • Do not touch the seat belt pretensioner in the area of the cable (1).
   • Do not cover the tube opening with your hand.
   • Keep the open end of the tube pointed away from you. Do not point the open end of the tube at another person.
   • When the pretensioner deploys the cable retracts. This shortens the pretensioner between the buckle and the mounting bolt. Grasp the pretensioner by the piston tube (2).
Disregarding these precautions may result in personal injury or unnecessary SIR system repairs.

Scrapping Procedure

During the course of a vehicle's useful life, certain situations may arise which will require the disposal of a live and undeployed seat belt pretensioner. Do not dispose of a live and undeployed seat belt pretensioner through normal disposal channels until the seat belt pretensioner has been deployed. The following information covers the proper procedures for disposing of a live and undeployed seat belt pretensioner. Do not deploy the seat belt pretensioner in the following situations:

    • After replacement of a seat belt pretensioner under warranty. The seat belt pretensioner may need to be returned undeployed to the manufacturer.
    • If the vehicle is the subject of a Product Liability report, GM1241, related to the SIR system or the seat belt system. If the vehicle is subject to the Product Liability report, do not alter the SIR or seat belt system in any manner.
    • If the vehicle is involved in a campaign affecting the seat belt pretensioners. Follow the instructions in the Campaign Service Bulletin for proper SIR handling procedures.

Deployment Procedures

The seat belt pretensioner can be deployed inside or outside of the vehicle. The method used depends upon the final disposition of the vehicle. Review the following procedures in order to determine which will work best in a given situation.

Deployment Outside Vehicle for Seat Belt Pretensioners

Deploy the seat belt pretensioners outside of the vehicle when the vehicle will be returned to service. Situations that require deployment outside of the vehicle include the following:

    • Using the SIR diagnostics, it is determined that the seat belt pretensioner is malfunctioning.
    • The seat belt pretensioner pigtail, if equipped, is damaged.
    • The seat belt pretensioner connector is damaged.
    • The seat belt pretensioner connector terminals are damaged.

Deployment and disposal of a malfunctioning seat belt pretensioner is subject to any required retention period.

CAUTION: In order to prevent accidental deployment of the pretensioner which could cause personal injury, do not dispose of an undeployed pretensioner as normal shop waste. The undeployed pretensioner 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 pretensioner. Failure to dispose of a pretensioner as instructed may be a violation of federal, state, or local laws.

Tools Required

    • J 39401-B SIR Deployment Fixture
    • J 38826 SIR Deployment Harness
    • An appropriate pigtail adaptor

    Object Number: 483842  Size: SH
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Remove the ignition key.
  3. Put on safety glasses.
  4. Remove the seat belt pretensioner from the vehicle. Refer to Seat Belt Buckle Pretensioner Replacement - Left Side or Seat Belt Buckle Pretensioner Replacement - Right Side .
  5. When carrying a seat belt pretensioner to the deployment area, keep the open end of the seat belt pretensioner pointed away from the body.

  6. Object Number: 483844  Size: SH
  7. Clear a space on the ground about 1.85 m (6 ft) in diameter for deployment of the seat belt pretensioner. 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.
  8. Make sure no loose or flammable objects are in the area.
  9. Place the J 39401-B SIR Deployment Fixture in the center of the cleared area.
  10. Fill the fixture plastic reservoir with water or sand.

  11. Object Number: 483846  Size: SH
  12. Mount the seat belt pretensioner (1) in the SIR deployment fixture (3) with the open end facing up using the following mounting method.
  13. • Adjust and secure the J 39401-B arms (4) to the deployment fixture (3).
    • To mount, use the proper size bolt (2) and nut (5) with washers in order to secure the seat belt pretensioner (1) to the deployment fixture brackets (4).
    • Securely tighten all fasteners prior to deployment.

    Object Number: 68645  Size: SH
  14. Inspect the J 38826 SIR Deployment Harness and the appropriate pigtail adapter for damage. Replace as needed.
  15. Short the two SIR deployment harness (1) leads together using one banana plug seated into the other.
  16. Connect the appropriate pigtail adapter (2) to the SIR deployment harness (1).

  17. Object Number: 483848  Size: SH
  18. Extend the SIR deployment harness and adapter to full length from the deployment fixture.

  19. Object Number: 483850  Size: SH
  20. Connect the seat belt pretensioner (1) to the adapter (2) on the deployment harness (3).
  21. Clear the area of people.
  22. Important: When deploying a seat belt pretensioner, the rapid expansion of gas is very loud. Notify the people in the immediate area that a seat belt pretensioner will be deployed.


    Object Number: 39382  Size: SH
  23. Separate the two banana plugs on the SIR deployment harness.

  24. Object Number: 483854  Size: SH
  25. Place a 12 V minimum/2 A minimum power source, such as a vehicle battery, near the shorted end of the harness.
  26. Connect the SIR deployment harness wires to the power source. Seat belt pretensioner deployment will occur when contact is made.
  27. Disconnect the SIR deployment harness from the power source after the seat belt pretensioner deploys.

  28. Object Number: 9581  Size: SH
  29. Seat one banana plug into the other in order to short the deployment harness leads.
  30. If the seat pretensioner did not deploy, disconnect the adapter and discontinue the procedure. Contact the Technical Assistance Group. Otherwise, proceed to the following steps.
  31. Put on a pair of shop gloves.
  32. Disconnect the pigtail adapter from the seat belt pretensioner as soon as possible.
  33. Dispose of the deployed seat belt pretensioner through normal refuse channels.
  34. Wash hands with a mild soap.

Deployment Inside Vehicle - Vehicle Scrapping Procedure

Deploy the seat belt pretensioners inside of the vehicle when destroying the vehicle or when salvaging the vehicle for parts. This includes but is not limited to the following situations:

    • The vehicle has completed its useful life.
    • Irreparable damage occurs to the vehicle in a non -- deployment type accident.
    • Irreparable damage occurs to the vehicle during a theft.
    • The vehicle is being salvaged for parts to be used on a vehicle with a different VIN as opposed to rebuilding as the same VIN.

    Object Number: 263002  Size: SH
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Remove the ignition key.
  3. Put on safety glasses.
  4. Remove all loose objects from the front seats.
  5. Disconnect the seat belt pretensioner - LF connector. Refer to Seat Belt Buckle Pretensioner Replacement - Left Side .
  6. Cut the seat belt pretensioner connector out of the vehicle, leaving at least 16 cm (6 in) of wire at the connector.
  7. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each of the connector wire leads.

  8. Object Number: 68651  Size: SH
  9. Cut two 6.1 m (20 ft) deployment wires from a 0.8 mm (18 gage) or thicker multi-strand wire. These wires will be used for the seat belt pretensioner - LF deployment harness.
  10. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends of the wires cut in the previous step.
  11. Twist together one end from each of the wires in order to short the wires. Deployment wires shall remain shorted, and not connected to a power source until you are ready to deploy the seat belt pretensioner.

  12. Object Number: 263005  Size: SH
  13. Twist together one connector wire lead to one deployment wire.
  14. Inspect that the previous connections is secure.

  15. Object Number: 263008  Size: SH
  16. Bend flat the twisted connection.
  17. Secure and insulate the connection using electrical tape.

  18. Object Number: 263012  Size: SH
  19. Twist together, bend, and tape the remaining connector wire lead to the remaining deployment wire.

  20. Object Number: 262991  Size: SH
  21. Connect the deployment harness to the seat belt pretensioner - LF connector (3).

  22. Object Number: 260613  Size: SH
  23. Route the deployment harness out of the driver side of the vehicle.

  24. Object Number: 263002  Size: SH
  25. Disconnect the seat belt pretensioner - RF connector. Refer to Seat Belt Buckle Pretensioner Replacement - Right Side .
  26. Cut the seat belt pretensioner connector out of the vehicle, leaving at least 16 cm (6 in) of wire at the connector.
  27. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each of the connector wire leads.

  28. Object Number: 68651  Size: SH
  29. Cut two 6.1 m (20 ft) deployment wires from a 0.8 mm (18 gage) or thicker multi-strand wire. These wires will be used for the seat belt pretensioner - RF deployment harness.
  30. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends of the wires cut in the previous step.
  31. Twist together one end from each of the wires in order to short the wires. The deployment wires are to remain shorted, and not connected to a power source until you are ready to deploy the seat belt pretensioner.

  32. Object Number: 263005  Size: SH
  33. Twist together one connector wire lead to one deployment wire.
  34. Inspect that the previous connection is secure.

  35. Object Number: 263008  Size: SH
  36. Bend flat the twisted connection.
  37. Secure and insulate the connection using electrical tape.

  38. Object Number: 263012  Size: SH
  39. Twist together, bend, and tape the remaining connector wire lead to the remaining deployment wire.

  40. Object Number: 262991  Size: SH
  41. Connect the deployment harness to the seat belt pretensioner - RF connector (3).

  42. Object Number: 260615  Size: SH
  43. Route the deployment harness out of the passenger's side of the vehicle.
  44. Completely cover the windshield and the front door openings with a drop cloth.
  45. Deploy each deployment loop one at a time.
  46. Stretch out all of the deployment harness wires on the left and right side of the vehicle to their full length.
  47. Place a power source, 12 V minimum/2 A minimum, such as a vehicle battery, near the shorted end of the harnesses.
  48. Separate one set of wires and touch the wire ends to the power source in order to deploy the seat belt pretensioners.
  49. Disconnect the deployment harness from the power source and twist the wire ends together.
  50. Continue the same process with the remaining deployment harnesses that are available.
  51. Remove the drop cloth from the vehicle.
  52. Disconnect all harnesses from the vehicle.
  53. Discard the harnesses.
  54. Scrap the vehicle in the same manner as a non - SIR equipped vehicle.
  55. If one or more of the seat belt pretensioners did not deploy, perform the following steps to remove the undeployed seat belt pretensioner from the vehicle:
  56. • If the seat belt pretensioner - LF did not deploy, refer to Seat Belt Buckle Pretensioner Replacement - Left Side .
    • If the seat belt pretensioner - RF did not deploy, refer to Seat Belt Buckle Pretensioner Replacement - Right Side .
  57. Call the Technical Assistance Group for further assistance.