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.
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 side impact air bag(s)
in a side impact collision or deployment of the side impact 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.
| • | Instrument panel (I/P) knee bolsters and mounting points - 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. |
| • | I/P cross car beam - Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or
any other type of damage. |
| • | I/P mounting points and brackets - Inspect for bending, twisting,
buckling, or any other type of damage. |
| • | Seats and seat mounting points - Inspect for bending, twisting,
buckling, or any other type of damage. |
Accident With Frontal Air Bag Deployment - Component Replacement and
Inspections
After a collision involving air bag deployment, replace the following components:
| • | Inflatable restraint I/P module |
| • | Inflatable restraint steering wheel module |
| • | Inflatable restraint steering wheel module Coil |
| • | Inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) |
| • | Inflatable restraint seat belt pretensioners |
| • | Instrument panel trim pad and inflatable restraint I/P module opening
trim cover |
| • | Right side I/P bracket and brace assembly |
If you detect any damage to the mounting points or mounting hardware for the
I/P module, steering wheel module, SDM, and pretensioners, repair or replace the mounting
points and mounting hardware as needed.
Accident With Seat Belt Pretensioner Deployment - Component Replacement
and Inspections
After a collision involving side 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 Seat Belt Pretensioners |
| • | Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) |
Perform 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 an 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/side
air bag 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.
