Deployment Outside Vehicle For Seat Belt Pretensioners

DEPLOYMENT OUTSIDE VEHICLE FOR SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS

Deploy the seat belt pretensioners 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, it is determined that the seat belt pretensioner is malfunctioning.
- The seat belt pretensioner pigtail, if equipped, is damaged.
- The seat belt retractor pretensioner connector is damaged.
- The seat belt retractor pretensioner connector terminals are damaged.

Deployment and disposal of a malfunctioning seat belt pretensioner is subject to any required retention period.

CAUTION: In order to prevent accidental deployment and the risk of personal injury, do not dispose of an undeployed inflatable restraint seat belt pretensioner as normal shop waste. Undeployed seat belt pretensioners 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 seat belt pretensioner. Failure to observe the following disposal methods may be a violation of federal, state, or local laws.

Tools Required
- J 38826 SIR Deployment Harness
- J 38826-25 for seat belt pretensioner module adapter
- J 39401-B SIR Deployment Fixture
- An appropriate pigtail adaptor




1. Turn OFF the ignition.
2. Remove the ignition key.
3. Put on safety glasses.
4. Remove the seat belt retractor pretensioner from the vehicle.
5. When carrying a seat belt retractor pretensioner to the deployment area, keep fingers clear of the seat belt webbing.




6. Clear a space on the ground about 1.85 m (6 ft) in diameter for deployment of the seat belt pretensioner. 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.
8. Place the J 39401-B in the center of the cleared area.
9. Fill the fixture plastic reservoir with water or sand.




10. Mount the seat belt pretensioner in the SIR deployment fixture with the seat belt webbing exiting through the top of the pretensioner. Use the following mounting method.
- Adjust and secure two of the J 39401-B arms to the deployment fixture, with the short slotted portions of the arms standing vertically and facing toward the center of the deployment fixture.
- To mount, use the proper size bolt and nut with washers in order to secure the seat belt pretensioner mounting hole between the two deployment fixture brackets.
- Securely tighten all fasteners prior to deployment.




11. Inspect the J 38826 and the appropriate pigtail adapter for damage. Replace as needed.
12. Short the 2 SIR deployment harness (1) leads together using 1 banana plug seated into the other.




13. Connect the appropriate pigtail adapter (2) to the SIR deployment harness (1).
14. Extend the SIR deployment harness and adapter to full length from the deployment fixture.
15. Connect the seat belt pretensioner connector to the adapter on the deployment harness.
16. Clear the area of people.

IMPORTANT: When deploying a seat belt retractor pretensioner, the rapid expansion of gas is very loud. Notify the people in the immediate area that a seat belt pretensioner will be deployed.




17. Separate the 2 banana plugs on the SIR deployment harness.




18. Place a 12 V minimum/2 A minimum power source, such as a vehicle battery, near the shorted end of the harness.

IMPORTANT: When the seat belt retractor pretensioner deploys, the deployment fixture may jump about 30 cm (1 ft) vertically. This is a normal reaction of the seat belt pretensioner due to the force of the rapid expansion of gas inside the pretensioner.

19. Connect the SIR deployment harness wires to the power source. Seat belt pretensioner deployment will occur when contact is made.
20. Disconnect the SIR deployment harness from the power source after the seat belt retractor pretensioner deploys.




21. Seat one banana plug into the other in order to short the deployment harness leads.
22. If the seat belt retractor pretensioner did not deploy, disconnect the adapter and discontinue the procedure. Contact the Technical Assistance Group. Otherwise, proceed to the following steps.
23. Put on a pair of shop gloves.
24. Disconnect the pigtail adapter from the seat belt retractor pretensioner as soon as possible.
25. Dispose of the deployed seat belt retractor pretensioner through normal refuse channels.
26. Wash hands with a mild soap.