Warning: Refer to SIR Inflator Module Handling and Storage Warning in the Preface section.

Use caution when handling or storing a live (undeployed) inflator module. An inflator module deployment produces a rapid generation of gas. This may cause the inflator module, or an object in front of the inflator module, to project through the air in the event of an unlikely deployment.

Dual stage inflator modules have two deployment stages. If stage 1 was used to deploy a dual stage inflator module, stage 2 may still be active. Therefore, a deployed dual stage inflator module must be treated as an active module. If disposal of a deployed or undeployed dual stage module is required both deployment loops must be energized to deploy the air bag.

During the course of a vehicles useful life, you may need to dispose of a live (undeployed) inflator module. Do not dispose of a live (undeployed) inflator module through normal disposal channels until the inflator module has been deployed. The following information covers the proper procedures for the disposing of a live (undeployed) inflator module.

Do not deploy the inflator module in the following situations:

The inflator module 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:

Deploy the inflator module outside of the vehicle when the vehicle will be returned to service, for seat belt retractor pretensioner deployment outside the vehicle refer to Pretensioner Handling and Scrapping. Situations that require deployment outside of the vehicle include the following:

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

Warning: In order to prevent accidental deployment and the risk of personal injury, do not dispose of an undeployed inflator module as normal shop waste. Undeployed inflator modules contain substances that could cause severe illness or personal injury if their sealed containers are damaged during disposal. Use the following deployment procedures to safely dispose of an undeployed inflator module. Failure to observe the following disposal methods may be a violation of federal, state, or local laws.

Special Tools

1. Turn OFF the ignition.
2. Remove the ignition key.
3. Put on safety glasses.
4. Remove the inflator module. Refer to the following:

•	If you are removing the steering wheel module, refer to Steering Wheel Inflatable Restraint Module Replacement.

•	If you are removing the I/P module, refer to Instrument Panel Inflatable Restraint Module Replacement.




5. Place the inflator module with the vinyl trim cover facing up and away from the surface on a work bench.



6. Clear a space on the ground about 1.85 m (6 ft) in diameter for deployment of 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.
7. Make sure no loose or flammable objects are in the area.

Note: Dual stage deployments are only used in steering wheel and I/P inflator modules. If stage 1 was used to deploy a dual stage inflator module, stage 2 may still be active. If disposal of a deployed or undeployed dual stage module is required both deployment loops must be energized to deploy the air bag.

8. When deploying the steering wheel module, place the steering wheel module in the center of the space.



9. When deploying the I/P module, refer to the following instructions:

9.1.	Place J 39401-B  (2) in the center of the cleared area.

9.2.	Fill the deployment fixture with water or sand.

9.3.	Using the proper nuts and bolts, mount the I/P module (1) to the deployment fixture (2), with the vinyl trim facing up.

9.4.	Securely tighten all fasteners that hold the I/P module (1) to the deployment fixture (2) prior to deployment.




10. Inspect J 38826 and the appropriate pigtail adapter for damage. Replace as needed.
11. Short the two SIR deployment harness (1) leads together using one banana plug seated into the other.

Note: Refer to Tools Required list for the correct adapter.

12. Connect the appropriate pigtail adapter (2) to the SIR deployment harness (1).



13. Extend the SIR deployment harness and adapter to full length from the deployment fixture.



14. Connect the inflator module (1) to the adapter (2) on the SIR deployment harness (3).

Note: 

•	The rapid expansion of gas involved with deploying an inflator module is very loud. Notify all the people in the immediate area that you intend to deploy the inflator module.

•	When the inflator module deploys, the deployment fixture may jump about 30 cm (1 ft) vertically. This is a normal reaction of the inflator module due to the force of the rapid expansion of gas inside the inflator module.

•	If you are deploying a dual stage inflator module with stage 1 already deployed, the fixture may not move and the noise may have been reduced.

15. Clear the area of people.



16. Place a 12 V minimum/2 A minimum power source, such as a vehicle battery, near the shorted end of the SIR deployment harness.
17. Separate the 2  banana plugs on the SIR deployment harness.



18. Connect the SIR deployment harness wires to the power source. Inflator module deployment will occur when contact is made.
19. Disconnect the SIR deployment harness from the power source.



20. Seat one banana plug into the other in order to short the deployment harness leads.
21. If the inflator module did not deploy, disconnect the adapter and discontinue the procedure. Contact the Technical Assistance Group. Otherwise, proceed to the following steps.

Warning: After deployment, the metal surfaces of the SIR component may be very hot. To help avoid a fire or personal injury:

•	Allow sufficient time for cooling before touching any metal surface of the SIR component.

•	Do not place the deployed SIR component near any flammable objects.




22. Put on a pair of shop gloves.
23. Disconnect the pigtail adapter from the inflator module as soon as possible.
24. Dispose of the deployed inflator module through normal refuse channels.
25. Wash hands with a mild soap.

Deploy the inflator modules 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:

Warning: When deploying a SIR component for disposal, perform the deployment procedures in the order listed. Failure to observe the procedures in the order listed may result in personal injury.

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. Disable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling.

Warning: A deployed dual stage inflator module will look the same whether one or both stages were used, always assume a deployed dual stage inflator module has an active stage 2. Improper handling or servicing can activate the inflator module and cause personal injury.




6. Remove the upper trim cover (2) to upper trim cover retainer (2) from the steering column. Refer to Steering Column Trim Cover Replacement.




Note: Vehicle is equipped with dual stage air bags the steering wheel module and I/P module will each have 4 wires. Refer to Component Connector End Views for determining high and low circuits.

7. Locate the steering wheel coil module 4-way connector that connects to the steering wheel coil module (2).
8. Cut the harness connector out of the vehicle, leaving at least 16 cm (6 in) of wire at the connector.
9. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each of the connector wire leads.



10. Cut two 6.1 m (20 ft) deployment wires from a 0.8 mm (18 gage) or thicker multi-strand wire. Use these wires to fabricate the driver deployment harness.
11. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends of the wires cut in the previous step.
12. 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 inflator module.



13. Twist together two connector wire leads (the high circuits from both stages of the steering wheel module) to one sets of deployment wires. Refer to Component Connector End Views in order to determine the correct circuits.
14. Inspect that the 3 wire connection is secure.



15. Bend flat the twisted connection.



16. Secure and insulate the 3 wire connection to deployment harness using electrical tape.



17. Twist together two connector wire leads (the low circuits from both stages of the steering wheel module) to one sets of deployment wires. Refer to Component Connector End Views in order to determine the correct circuits.
18. Inspect that the 3 wire connection is secure.



19. Bend flat the twisted connection.



20. Secure and insulate the 3 wire connection to deployment harness using electrical tape.
21. Connect the deployment harness to the steering wheel module in-line connector.



22. Route the deployment harness out of the driver side of the vehicle.



23. Disconnect the driver/left seat belt retractor pretensioner yellow connector (2) from the seat belt retractor pretensioner (1).



24. Cut the harness connector out of the vehicle, leaving at least 16 cm (6 in) of wire at the connector.
25. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each of the connector wire leads.



26. 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 to fabricate the left seat belt pretensioner deployment harness.
27. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends of the wires cut in the previous step.
28. Twist together one end from each of the wires in order to short the wires.



29. Twist together one connector wire lead to one deployment wire.



30. Bend flat the twisted connection.
31. Secure and insulate the connection using electrical tape.



32. Twist together, bend, and tape the remaining connector wire lead to the remaining deployment wire.
33. Connect the deployment harness to the left seat belt pretensioner yellow connector.



34. Route the deployment harness out of the driver side of the vehicle.



35. Disconnect the I/P module yellow harness connector (2) from the vehicle harness connector (1).




Note: Vehicle is equipped with dual stage air bags the I/P module will each have 4 wires. Refer to Component Connector End Views for determining high and low circuits.

36. Cut the yellow harness connector out of the vehicle, leaving at least 16 cm (6 in) of wire at the connector.
37. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each of the connector wire leads.



38. 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 to fabricate the I/P module deployment harness.
39. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends of the wires cut in the previous step.
40. Twist together one end from each of the wires in order to short the wires.



41. Twist together two connector wire leads (the high circuits from both stages of the steering wheel module) to one sets of deployment wires. Refer to Component Connector End Views in order to determine the correct circuits.
42. Inspect that the 3 wire connection is secure.



43. Bend flat the twisted connection.



44. Secure and insulate the 3 wire connection to deployment harness using electrical tape.



45. Twist together 2 connector wire leads (the low circuits from both stages of the steering wheel module) to one sets of deployment wires. Refer to Component Connector End Views in order to determine the correct circuits.
46. Inspect that the 3 wire connection is secure.



47. Bend flat the twisted connection.



48. Secure and insulate the 3 wire connection to deployment harness using electrical tape.
49. Connect the deployment harness to the I/P module in-line connector.



50. Route the deployment harness out of the passenger side of the vehicle.



51. Disconnect the passenger/right seat belt retractor pretensioner yellow connector (2) from the seat belt retractor pretensioner (1).



52. Cut the harness connector out of the vehicle, leaving at least 16 cm (6 in) of wire at the connector.
53. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each of the connector wire leads.



54. 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 to fabricate the right seat belt pretensioner deployment harness.
55. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends of the wires cut in the previous step.
56. Twist together one end from each of the wires in order to short the wires.



57. Twist together one connector wire lead to one deployment wire.



58. Bend flat the twisted connection.
59. Secure and insulate the connection using electrical tape.



60. Twist together, bend, and tape the remaining connector wire lead to the remaining deployment wire.
61. Connect the deployment harness to the right seat belt retractor pretensioner yellow connector.



62. Route the deployment harness out of the passenger side of the vehicle.



63. Completely cover the windshield and front door window openings with a drop cloth.
64. Stretch out all of the deployment harness wires on the right side of the vehicle to their full length.
65. Deploy each deployment loop one at a time.
66. Place a power source, 12 V minimum/2 A minimum (i.e., a vehicle battery) near the shorted end of the harnesses.
67. Separate the one set of wires and touch the wires ends to the power source in order to deploy the inflator modules, doing one module at a time.
68. Disconnect the deployment harness from the power source and twist the wire ends together.
69. Continue the same process with the remaining deployment harnesses that are available.



70. Stretch out all of the deployment harness wires on the left side of the vehicle to their full length.
71. Deploy each deployment loop one at a time.
72. Place a power source, 12 V minimum/2 A minimum (i.e., a vehicle battery) near the shorted end of the harnesses.
73. Separate the one set of wires and touch the wires ends to the power source in order to deploy the inflator modules, doing one module at a time.
74. Disconnect the deployment harness from the power source and twist the wire ends together.
75. Continue the same process with the remaining deployment harnesses that are available.
76. Remove the drop cloth from the vehicle.
77. Disconnect all harnesses from the vehicle.
78. Discard the harnesses.
79. Scrap the vehicle in the same manner as a non-SIR equipped vehicle.
80. If one or all of the inflator modules did not deploy, perform the following steps to remove the undeployed module(s) from the vehicle:

•	Steering Wheel Inflatable Restraint Module Replacement

•	Instrument Panel Inflatable Restraint Module Replacement

•	Seat Belt Retractor Pretensioner Replacement - Front