Caution: When you are carrying an undeployed inflator module:
• | Do not carry the inflator module by the wires or connector on
the inflator module |
• | Make sure the bag opening points away from you |
When you are storing an undeployed inflator module, make sure the bag
opening points away from the surface on which the inflator module rests.
When you are storing a steering column, do not rest the column with the bag
opening facing down and the column vertical. Provide free space for the
air bag to expand in case of an accidental deployment. Otherwise, personal
injury may result.
Live (Undeployed) Inflator Module
Take special care when handling or storing a live (undeployed) inflator
module. An air bag deployment produces rapid gas generation. This may cause
the inflator module, or an object in front of the inflator module, to jettison
through the air in the event of an unlikely deployment.
Shipping Procedures
Refer to the latest service bulletins for proper SIR inflator module
shipping procedures.
Scrapping Procedure
During the course of a vehicle's useful life, certain situations may
arise which will necessitate the disposal of a live (undeployed) inflator
module. The following information covers the proper procedures for the
disposing of a live inflator module. Deploy the inflator module before
disposal. Do not dispose of the module through normal disposal channels.
Caution: In order to prevent accidental deployment of the air bag which could
cause personal injury, do not dispose of an undeployed inflator module as
normal shop waste. The undeployed inflator module 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 inflator module. Failure to dispose of an inflator
module as instructed may be a violation of federal, state, province, or local
laws.
Do not deploy an air bag in the following situations:
• | After replacement of an inflator module under warranty. The module
may need to be returned undeployed to the Delphi Interior & Lighting Group.
Refer to the latest service bulletin regarding SIR shipping procedures. |
• | If the vehicle is the subject of a Product Liability report related
to the SIR system and is subject to a Preliminary Investigation (GM-1241).
Do not alter the SIR system in any manner. Refer to the latest service
bulletin on SIR shipping procedures. |
• | If the vehicle is involved in a campaign affecting the inflator
modules. Follow the instructions in the Campaign Service Bulletin for proper
SIR handling and shipping procedures. |
Deployment Procedures
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:
Deployment Outside Vehicle (Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module)
Tools Required
• | An appropriate pigtail adapter |
Caution: In order to prevent accidental deployment of the air bag which could
cause personal injury, do not dispose of an undeployed inflator module as
normal shop waste. The undeployed inflator module 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 inflator module. Failure to dispose of an inflator
module as instructed may be a violation of federal, state, province, or local
laws.
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.
Deploy the inflatable restraint steering wheel inflator
module 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, you determine that the inflator module
does not function properly. |
• | The inflator module is scratched or ripped on the cover. |
• | The inflator module pigtail (if equipped) is damaged. |
• | The inflator module connector is damaged. |
• | An inflator module connector terminal is damaged. |
Deployment and disposal of a malfunctioning inflator module is subject
to any required retention period.
- Turn the ignition switch
to the OFF position.
- Remove the ignition key.
- Put on safety glasses.
- Inspect the J 38826
and the appropriate pigtail adapter for damage. Replace as needed.
- Short the two SIR deployment harness (1) leads together using
one banana plug seated into the other.
- Connect the appropriate pigtail adapter (2) to the SIR deployment
harness (1).
- Remove the inflatable restraint steering wheel module. Refer to
Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Replacement
.
- Remove the horn lead from the back of the module, if equipped.
- Remove the redundant steering wheel control leads from the back
of the module, if equipped.
- Remove all horn/steering wheel control buttons from the module,
if equipped.
Caution: When you are carrying an undeployed inflator module:
• | Do not carry the inflator module by the wires or connector on
the inflator module |
• | Make sure the bag opening points away from you |
When you are storing an undeployed inflator module, make sure the bag
opening points away from the surface on which the inflator module rests.
When you are storing a steering column, do not rest the column with the bag
opening facing down and the column vertical. Provide free space for the
air bag to expand in case of an accidental deployment. Otherwise, personal
injury may result.
- Place the module with
the vinyl trim cover facing up and away from the surface on a work bench.
- Clear a space on the ground
about 1.85 M (6 ft) in diameter for deployment of the 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.
- Make sure no loose or flammable objects are in the area.
- Place the module in the space with the vinyl trim cover facing
up.
- Extend the SIR deployment
harness and adapter to full length from the module.
- Place a 12V minimum/2A minimum power source (i.e., vehicle battery)
near the shorted end of the harness.
- Connect the module (1)
to the adapter (2) on the SIR deployment harness (3).
- Firmly seat the adapter into the module connector.
- Clear the area of people.
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.
- Separate the two banana plugs on the SIR deployment harness.
Important: The rapid gas expansion involved with deploying an air bag is very loud.
Notify all the people in the immediate area that you intend to deploy the
inflator module
Important: When the air bag deploys, the inflator module may jump vertically. This
is a normal reaction of the inflator module to the force of the rapid gas
expansion inside the air bag.
- Connect the SIR deployment harness wires to the power source.
- Disconnect the SIR deployment
harness from the power source after the air bag deploys.
- Seat one banana plug into the other in order to short the deployment
harness leads.
- If the air bag did not deploy, disconnect the adapter and discontinue
the procedure. Contact the Technical Assistance Group. Otherwise, proceed
to the following steps.
CAUTION: After an air bag deploys, the metal surfaces of the inflator module
are very hot. To help avoid a fire or personal injury:
• | Allow sufficient time for cooling before touching any metal surface
of the inflator module. |
• | Do not place the deployed inflator module near any flammable objects.
|
- Put on a pair of shop
gloves.
- Disconnect the pigtail adapter from the inflator module as soon
as possible.
- Inspect the pigtail adapter and the SIR deployment harness. Replace
as needed.
- Dispose of the deployed module through normal refuse channels.
- Wash hands with a mild soap.
Deployment Outside Vehicle (Inflatable Restraint Instrument Panel Module)
Tools Required
• | An appropriate pigtail adapter |
Caution: In order to prevent accidental deployment of the air bag which could
cause personal injury, do not dispose of an undeployed inflator module as
normal shop waste. The undeployed inflator module 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 inflator module. Failure to dispose of an inflator
module as instructed may be a violation of federal, state, province, or local
laws.
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.
Deploy the inflatable restraint instrument panel inflator
module 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, you determine that the inflator module
does not function properly. |
• | The inflator module is scratched or ripped on the cover. |
• | The inflator module pigtail (if equipped) is damaged. |
• | The inflator module connector is damaged. |
• | An inflator module connector terminal is damaged. |
Deployment and disposal of a malfunctioning inflator module is subject
to any required retention period.
Important: Refer to the latest General Motors Service Bulletins before deploying
a passenger inflator module.
- Turn the ignition switch
to the OFF position.
- Remove the ignition key.
- Put on safety glasses.
- Inspect the J 38826
and the appropriate pigtail adapter for damage. Replace as needed.
- Short the two SIR deployment harness (1) leads together using
one banana plug seated into the other.
- Connect the appropriate pigtail adapter (2) to the SIR deployment
harness (1).
- Remove the inflatable restraint IP module. Refer to
Inflatable Restraint Instrument Panel Module Replacement
.
Caution: When you are carrying an undeployed inflator module:
• | Do not carry the inflator module by the wires or connector on
the inflator module |
• | Make sure the bag opening points away from you |
When you are storing an undeployed inflator module, make sure the bag
opening points away from the surface on which the inflator module rests.
When you are storing a steering column, do not rest the column with the bag
opening facing down and the column vertical. Provide free space for the
air bag to expand in case of an accidental deployment. Otherwise, personal
injury may result.
- Place the module with
the vinyl trim cover facing up and away from the surface on a work bench.
- Clear a space on the ground
about 1.85 M (6 ft) in diameter for deployment of the 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.
- Make sure no loose or flammable objects are in the area.
- Place the J 39401 SIR Deployment Fixture in the center of the
cleared area.
- Fill the fixture plastic reservoir with water or sand.
Important: Securely hand tighten all fasteners prior to deployment.
- Mount the module in the SIR deployment fixture with the vinyl trim cover
facing up using one of the following mounting methods.
- To use the stud mount
method, remove the original mounting nuts.
- Use the J 39401-1 mounting nuts in order to secure the module
to the fixture.
- To use the flange mount
method, use four of the J 39401-13 hold-down nuts whenever possible in order
to secure the module to the fixture.
- If clearance restrictions do not allow the use of the J 39401-13
hold-down nuts, four M6 x 1.0 nuts with washers may be used.
- Extend the SIR deployment
harness and adapter to full length from the module.
- Place a 12V minimum/2A minimum power source (i.e., vehicle battery)
near the shorted end of the harness.
- Connect the module (1)
to the adapter (2) on the SIR deployment harness (3).
- Firmly seat the adapter into the module connector.
- Clear the area of people.
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.
- Separate the two banana plugs on the SIR deployment harness.
Important: The rapid gas expansion involved with deploying an air bag is very loud.
Notify all the people in the immediate area that you intend to deploy the
inflator module
Important: When the air bag deploys, the SIR deployment fixture may jump vertically.
This is a normal reaction of the inflator module to the force of the rapid
gas expansion inside the air bag.
- Connect the SIR deployment harness wires to the power source.
- Disconnect the SIR deployment
harness from the power source after the air bag deploys.
- Seat one banana plug into the other in order to short the deployment
harness leads.
- If the air bag did not deploy, disconnect the adapter and discontinue
the procedure. Contact the Technical Assistance Group. Otherwise, proceed
to the following steps.
CAUTION: After an air bag deploys, the metal surfaces of the inflator module
are very hot. To help avoid a fire or personal injury:
• | Allow sufficient time for cooling before touching any metal surface
of the inflator module. |
• | Do not place the deployed inflator module near any flammable objects.
|
- Put on a pair of shop
gloves.
- Disconnect the pigtail adapter from the inflator module as soon
as possible.
- Inspect the pigtail adapter and the SIR deployment harness. Replace
as needed.
- Dispose of the deployed module through normal refuse channels.
- Wash hands with a mild soap.
Deployment Inside Vehicle (Vehicle Scrapping Procedure)
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:
• | 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. |
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.
- Turn the ignition switch
to the OFF position.
- Remove the ignition key.
- Put on safety glasses.
- Remove all loose objects from the front seats.
- Disconnect the inflatable restraint steering wheel module coil
yellow 2-way connector.
- Cut the yellow 2-way harness connector out of the vehicle, leaving
at least 16 cm (6 in) of wire at the connector.
- Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each of
the connector wire leads.
- Cut two 4.6 M (15 ft)
deployment wires from a 0.8 mm² (18 gage) or thicker multi-strand
wire. Use these wires to fabricate the driver deployment harness.
- Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends
of the wires cut in the previous step.
- 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 air bag.
- Twist together one connector
wire lead to one deployment wire.
- Inspect that the previous connection is secure.
- Bend flat the twisted connection.
- Secure and insulate the connection using electrical tape.
- Twist together, bend,
and tape the remaining connector wire lead to the remaining deployment wire.
- Connect the deployment harness to the inflatable restraint steering
wheel module coil yellow 2-way connector.
- Route the deployment harness
out of the vehicle's driver side.
- Disconnect the inflatable
restraint IP module yellow 2-way connector.
- Cut the yellow 2-way harness connector out of the vehicle, leaving
at least 16 cm (6 in) of wire at the connector.
- Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each of
the connector wire leads.
- Cut two 6.1 M (20 ft)
deployment wires from a 0.8 mm² (18 gage) or thicker multi-strand
wire. These wires will be used to fabricate the passenger deployment harness.
- Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends
of the wires cut in the previous step.
- Twist together one end from each of the wires in order to short
the wires.
- Twist together one connector
wire lead to one deployment wire.
- Bend flat the twisted connection.
- Secure and insulate the connection using electrical tape.
- Twist together, bend, and tape the remaining connector wire lead to
the remaining deployment wire.
- Connect the deployment harness to the inflatable restraint IP
module yellow 2-way connector.
- Route the deployment harness
out of the passenger side of the vehicle.
- Clear the inside and outside of the vehicle of any people or loose
and flammable objects.
- Stretch the driver harness to full length.
- Stretch the passenger harness to full length.
- Completely cover the windshield and front door window openings
with a drop cloth.
- Place a power source,
12V minimum/2A minimum (i.e., a vehicle battery) near the shorted end of the
harness.
- Separate the two ends of the driver deployment harness wires.
- Connect the driver deployment harness wires to the power source
in order to deploy the inflatable restraint steering wheel module.
- Disconnect the driver deployment harness wires from the power
source.
- Separate the two ends
of the passenger deployment harness wires.
- Connect the passenger deployment harness wires to the power source
in order to deploy the inflatable restraint IP module.
- Disconnect the passenger deployment harness wires from the power
source.
- Twist together one end
of each wire on the driver deployment harness in order to short the wires.
- Twist together one end
of each wire on the passenger deployment harness in order to short the wires.
- Remove the drop cloth from the vehicle.
- Disconnect both harnesses from the vehicle.
- Discard the harnesses.
- Scrap the vehicle in the same manner as a non-SIR equipped vehicle.
- If one or both of the modules did not deploy, perform the following
steps:
47.2. | Temporarily store the module(s). |
47.3. | Call the Technical Assistance Group for further assistance. |
Handling a Deployed Inflator Module
After the inflator module has deployed, the surface
of the air bag may contain a powdery residue. This powder consists primarily
of cornstarch (used to lubricate the bag as it inflates), and by-products
of the chemical reaction. The deployment reaction produces sodium hydroxide
dust (similar to lye soap). The sodium hydroxide quickly reacts with
the atmospheric moisture. This atmospheric moisture converts the sodium
hydroxide into sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Therefore,
you will probably find no sodium hydroxide present after the deployment.
Gloves and safety glasses are recommended, however, as a precaution. Gloves
and safety glasses help to prevent possible irritation of the skin or eyes.