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.
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 to the mounting hardware, repair the
component or replace the hardware as needed:
| • | IP Knee Bolsters -- Inspect the knee bolsters for bending,
twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage. |
| • | IP Brackets, Braces, etc -- Inspect for bending, twisting,
buckling, or any other type of damage. |
| • | IP Steering Column Reinforcement Plate -- Inspect for bending,
twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage. |
| • | Seat Belts -- Perform the Seat Belt Checks. Refer to
Seat Belt Checks
in
Seat Belts. |
Accident With Air Bag Deployment - Component Replacement and
Inspections
After a collision involving air bag deployment, replace the following
components. If you detect any damage to the mounting points or to the mounting
hardware, repair or replace the mounting points and the mounting hardware
as needed:
| • | The inflatable restraint IP module |
| • | The inflatable restraint steering wheel module |
| • | The inflatable restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) |
After a collision involving air bag deployment, inspect the inflatable
restraint steering wheel module coil. Inspect the coil and the coil wiring
pigtail for melting, scorching, or for other damage due to excessive heat.
Perform this component inspection in addition to the inspections indicated
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
to the mounting hardware, repair the component or replace the hardware as
needed.
Sensor Replacement Guidelines
The SIR sensor replacement policy requires that you replace the 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,
replace the sensor as needed:
| • | Whether or not the air bags deployed |
| • | Even if the sensor appears to be undamaged |
Some sensor damage may not be visible, such as slight bending of the
mounting bracket or cuts in the wire insulation. Such damage can also cause
improper operation to the SIR sensing system. Do not try to determine whether
the sensor is undamaged; replace the sensor! Also, if a diagnostic trouble
code table indicates a malfunctioning sensor, replace the sensor!
