Caution: When deploying an airbag inside the vehicle, make sure the vehicle doors are closed and the side windows are fully open. Wear safety glasses throughout the entire procedure. Make sure the deployment area in the vehicle is clear of people, or loose objects. Failure to follow these guidelines could result in personal injury or vehicle damage.

Deploy the air bags before disposing them. If a vehicle is to be scrapped, the air bag may be deployed inside the vehicle.

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.

Deployment Procedure

Caution: Refer to Sensing and Diagnostic Module Voltage after Ignition is Turned Off Caution in the Preface section.

Caution: Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution in the Preface section.




1. Disconnect both battery cables and place the battery at least 10 m (33 ft) from the vehicle.
2. Remove the driver side knee bolster or instrument panel lower cover from the steering column.
3. At the lower steering column, cut the 2 wires leading from the supplemental inflatable restraints (SIR) harness to the steering wheel module coil.
4. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of the insulation from the end of the wires leading to the steering wheel module coil.
5. Use 2 additional wires, each at least 10 m (33 ft) long, to reach from the deployment battery to the inflator module.
6. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of the insulation from the end of these 2 additional wires.
7. Twist the 2 wires together at one end.
8. Place the twisted ends of the 2 wires near the deployment battery. Do not connect the wires to the battery at this time.
9. Using the free ends of the 10 m (33 ft) wires leading to the steering wheel module coil, make 2 splices, one at each wire from the air bag modules.
10. Wrap the wires with insulation tape.
11. Now that the free ends of the 10 m (33 ft) wires are spliced to the air bag module wires, and the ends that are twisted together are near the deployment battery, clear the area.
12. Untwist the wires that near the deployment battery.
13. Touch one wire to the positive battery terminal and touch the other wire to the negative battery terminal. The air bag will deploy.
14. Repeat this procedure for the passenger air bag, side air bags, roof rail bags and pretensioners.
15. Using proper precautions, dispose of the deployed air bags/pretensioners. Refer to Deployed Air Bag Module Disposal Procedure.

If the vehicle is within the warranty period, contact the General Motors regional service manager for approval or special instructions before deploying the air bag modules.

Deploy air bag modules in following situations:

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. Position the air bag module face up, on flat ground outdoors, at least 10 m (33 ft) from any obstacles or people.
2. Place a vehicle battery at least 10 m (33 ft) away from the air bag module.
3. Cut the yellow wires to the air bag module/pretensioner.
4. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of the insulation from the end of the wires leading to the air bag module/pretensioner.
5. Use 2 additional wires, each at least 10 m (33 ft) long, to reach from the deployment battery to the air bag module/pretensioner.
6. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of the insulation from the ends of these 2 additional wires.
7. Twist the 2 wires together at one end.
8. Place the twisted ends of the 2 wires near the deployment battery. Do not connect the wires to the battery at this time.
9. Using the free ends of the 10 m (33 ft) wires leading to the air bag module/pretensioner, make 2 splices, one at each wires from the air bag module/pretensioner.
10. Wrap the splices with insulating tape.
11. Now that the free ends of the 10 m (33 ft) wires are spliced to the air bag module/pretensioner wires, and the ends that are twisted together are near the deployment battery, clear the area.
12. Untwist the wires that are near the deployment battery.
13. Touch one wire to the positive battery terminal and touch the other wire to the negative battery terminal. The air bag will deploy.
14. Using proper precautions, dispose of the deployed air bags/pretensioners. Refer to the Deployed Air Bag Module Disposal Procedure.

Caution: Safety precautions must be followed when handling a deployed inflator module (air bag). After deployment, the inflator module (air bag) surface may contain a small amount of sodium hydroxide, a by-product of the deployment reaction, that is irritating to the skin and eyes. Most of the powder on the inflator module (air bag) is harmless. as a precaution, wear gloves and safety glasses when handling a deployed inflator module (air bag), and wash your hands with mild soap and water afterwards.

Caution: Approved safety glasses and gloves should be worn when performing this procedure to reduce the chance of personal injury.

Caution: Immediately following the deployment of an air bag, the metal surfaces of the inflator module are very hot. Do not place the deployed inflator module near any flammable objects. Wait for about ten minutes before touching any metal surface of the inflator module. Disregarding these precautions may cause fire or personal injury.

Deploy an air bag or pretensioner before disposing of it.

This includes those in a whole vehicle being scrapped. If the vehicle is still within the warranty period contact the General Motors regional service manager for approval or special instructions before deploying an air bag module or a pretensioner. Deployed air bag module or pretensioner should be disposed of in the same manner as other scrap parts, with the addition of the following steps:

1. Place the deployed air bag or pretensioner in a sturdy plastic bag.
2. Seal the plastic bag securely.
3. Wash your hands and rinse them with water after handling a deployed air bag.