Passenger Airbag

Fig.14 Passenger Airbag Location:

PASSENGER AIRBAG MODULE (PAB)
The passenger airbag is located behind the passenger airbag cover, between the glove box and instrument panel top cover.

The passenger airbag includes an aluminum housing within which the cushion and inflator are mounted and sealed. Two stamped metal brackets, one on each end of the housing, enclose the cushion and inflator. The mounting scheme consists of two weld studs and a bracket with two tabs off the bottom of the housing.

Following a passenger airbag deployment, the passenger airbag and the passenger airbag cover must be replaced. If inspection reveals that the passenger airbag mounting points on the instrument panel have been cracked or damaged, the instrument panel assembly must also be replaced. The passenger airbag cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed or in any way damaged.

The hybrid-type inflator assembly includes a small canister of highly compressed argon gas. The inflator seals the hole in the airbag cushion so it can discharge the gas it produces directly into the cushion when supplied with the proper electrical signal. Following an airbag deployment, the airbag cushion quickly deflates by venting this gas through the porous fabric material used on each end panel of the airbag cushion.

The passenger airbag is secured with nuts to the instrument panel beneath the instrument panel top pad and above the glove box opening.

THE AIRBAG MODULE INFLATOR ASSEMBLY CONTAINS SODIUM AZIDE AND POTASSIUM NITRATE. THESE MATERIALS ARE POISONOUS AND EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. CONTACT WITH ACID, WATER, OR HEAVY METALS MAY PRODUCE HARMFUL AND IRRITATING GASES (SODIUM HYDROXIDE IS FORMED IN THE PRESENCE OF MOISTURE) OR COMBUSTIBLE COMPOUNDS. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MODULE CONTAINS ARGON GAS PRESSURIZED TO OVER 2500 PSI. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISMANTLE AIRBAG MODULE OR TAMPER WITH ITS INFLATOR. DO NOT PUNCTURE, INCINERATE, OR BRING INTO CONTACT WITH ELECTRICITY. DO NOT STORE AT TEMPERATURE EXCEEDING 93 °C (200 °F).