Air Bag: Description and Operation
DRIVER AIRBAGWARNING: THE DRIVER AIRBAG TRIM COVER AND HORN SWITCH ASSEMBLY ARE THE ONLY SERVICEABLE PARTS OF THE DRIVER AIRBAG. DO NOT DISASSEMBLE OTHER PARTS WITHIN AS THEY ARE NOT SERVICEABLE.
The Driver Airbag located in the center of the steering wheel is the most visible part of the system. It contains the airbag inflator, cushion, cover assembly, and their supporting components. The airbag utilizes a dual stage inflator and two initiator wire connections. The trim cover assembly, consisting of cover and horn switch, is the only serviceable part of the airbag. The cushion, inflator, and inflator adaptor are covered with a wrap so the cushion does not unfold when servicing the trim cover and horn switch assembly
WARNING: NEVER DISASSEMBLE THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIRBAGS, THERE ARE NO SERVICEABLE PARTS WITHIN.
The driver side inflator assembly is mounted from the back of the airbag housing. When supplied with the proper electrical signal from the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC), the inflator assembly produces a gas and discharges it directly into the cushion. A protective cover is fitted to the front of the Driver Airbag and forms a decorative cover in the center of the steering wheel. The Driver Airbag is mounted directly to the steering wheel.
The airbag protective trim cover is the most visible part of the driver side airbag system. The protective trim cover is fitted to the front of the airbag module and forms a decorative cover in the center of the steering wheel. The module is mounted directly to the steering wheel. Located under the trim cover are the horn switch, the airbag cushion, and the airbag cushion supporting components. The airbag module includes a housing to which the cushion and hybrid inflator are attached and sealed. For 2001 driver airbag has dual stage squib inflators that include a small canister of highly compressed argon gas. The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) uses vehicle crash severity, to determine the level of airbag deployment. When supplied with the proper electrical signal, the hybrid inflator or inflators discharge the compressed gas it contains directly into the cushion. The airbag module cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed or in any way damaged.
WARNING: THE DRIVER AIRBAG MODULE CONTAINS ARGON GAS PRESSURIZED TO OVER 17236.89 Kpa (2500 PSI). DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISMANTLE AN 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). REPLACE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS ONLY WITH PARTS SPECIFIED IN THE CHRYSLER MOPAR PARTS CATALOG. SUBSTITUTE PARTS MAY APPEAR INTER-CHANGEABLE, BUT INTERNAL DIFFERENCES MAY RESULT IN INFERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION. THE FASTENERS, SCREWS, AND BOLTS ORIGINALLY USED FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS HAVE SPECIAL COATINGS AND ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THEY MUST NEVER BE REPLACED WITH ANY SUBSTITUTES. ANY TIME A NEW FASTENER IS NEEDED, REPLACE IT WITH THE CORRECT FASTENERS PROVIDED IN THE SERVICE PACKAGE OR SPECIFIED IN THE MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.
CAUTION: DEPLOYED FRONT AIRBAGS MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE LIVE PYROTECHNIC MATERIAL WITHIN THE AIR BAG INFLATOR. DO NOT DISPOSE OF 2001 MODEL YEAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS UNLESS YOU ARE SURE OF COMPLETE DEPLOYMENT. PLEASE REFER TO THE HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PROPER DISPOSAL. DISPOSE OF DEPLOYED AIRBAGS IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH STATE, PROVINCIAL, LOCAL, AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS. USE THE FOLLOWING TABLE TO IDENTIFY THE STATUS OF THE AIRBAG SQUIB.
Airbag Squib Status
1. Using a DRB III read Airbag DTC's
If the following active codes are present:
If neither of the following codes is an active code:
Active DTC Squib Status
Driver squib 1 open Status of Airbag is Unknown.
Driver squib 2 open
PASSENGER AIRBAG
WARNING: NEVER DISASSEMBLE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, THERE ARE NO SERVICEABLE PARTS WITHIN.
The Passenger Airbag is located beneath the decorative cover of the instrument panel, facing the passenger seat.
The passenger airbag is mounted to the instrument panel and pad assembly. The passenger inflator assembly is within the airbag housing. The airbag is mounted to the instrument panel retainer and support structure.
The Passenger Airbag consists of:
- Dual Initiator Inflator Assembly
- Reaction Canister
- Airbag Pillow
When supplied with the proper electrical signal from the ORC, the inflator produces gas and discharges it directly into the pillow. The airbag will deploy and the pillow will fully inflate.
The airbag door in the instrument panel top cover above the glove box is the most visible part of the passenger side airbag system. The airbag door has a living hinge at the top, which is secured to the instrument panel top cover. Located under the airbag door is the airbag cushion and it's supporting components. The airbag module includes a housing to which the cushion and hybrid inflators are attached and sealed. For 2001 the front passenger airbag with dual stage squib inflators that include a small canister of highly compressed argon gas. The ORC uses vehicle crash severity, to determine the level of airbag deployment. When supplied with the proper electrical signal, the hybrid inflator or inflators discharge the compressed gas if contains directly into the airbag. The airbag module cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed or in any way damaged.
WARNING: THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MODULE CONTAINS ARGON GAS PRESSURIZED TO 17236.89 Kpa (2500 PSI). DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISMANTLE AN 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). REPLACE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS ONLY WITH PARTS SPECIFIED IN THE MOPAR PARTS CATALOG. SUBSTITUTE PARTS MAY APPEAR INTER-CHANGEABLE, BUT INTERNAL DIFFERENCES MAY RESULT IN INFERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION. THE FASTENERS, SCREWS, AND BOLTS ORIGINALLY USED FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS HAVE SPECIAL COATINGS AND ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THEY MUST NEVER BE REPLACED WITH ANY SUBSTITUTES. ANY TIME A NEW FASTENER IS NEEDED, REPLACE IT WITH THE CORRECT FASTENERS PROVIDED IN THE SERVICE PACKAGE OR SPECIFIED IN THE MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.
CAUTION: DEPLOYED FRONT AIRBAGS MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE LIVE PYROTECHNIC MATERIAL WITHIN THE AIR BAG INFLATOR. DO NOT DISPOSE OF 2001 MODEL YEAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS UNLESS YOU ARE SURE OF COMPLETE DEPLOYMENT. PLEASE REFER TO THE HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PROPER DISPOSAL. DISPOSE OF DEPLOYED AIRBAGS IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH STATE, PROVINCIAL, LOCAL, AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS. USE THE FOLLOWING TABLE TO IDENTIFY THE STATUS OF THE AIRBAG SQUIB.
Airbag Squib Status
1. Using a DRB III read Airbag DTC's
If the following active codes are present:
If neither of the following codes is an active code:
Active DTC Squib Status
Passenger squib 1 open Status of Airbag is Unknown.
Passenger squib 2 open
CURTAIN AIRBAGS
Vehicles equipped with the Side Impact Airbag System utilize two Curtain Airbags mounted in each respective side of the headliner, stretching from the middle of the A-pillar at the instrument panel along the roof line to the C-pillar at the rear shelf panel. This system is designed to protect occupants in the event of a side impact collision.
The Left and Right curtain airbag modules are located in the outboard edge of the roof under the headliner, just above the door opening. The curtain airbag contains a squib and inflator (a small canister of highly compressed argon gas) and a mounting bracket mounted to the C post and tethered to the A post. When supplied with the proper electrical signal the inflator can discharge the compress gas it contains directly into the curtain airbag. Upon deployment, the curtain will tear open the headliner allowing the curtain airbag to fully deploy between the headliner and seat. The curtain airbag module cannot be repaired and must be replaced if deployed or in any way damaged.
The Side Impact Airbag Control Module (SIACM) controls the curtain airbags. If the SIACM determines the impact is severe enough, the appropriate SIACM will send a message to inflate the respective curtain airbag. The appropriate airbag will inflate, dropping down from the ceiling between the headliner and windows/pillars, protecting the passengers. Once a curtain airbag has been deployed, the complete curtain airbag, headliner, upper A, B, and C-pillar trim panel, and all damaged parts must be replaced.
WARNING: THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MODULE CONTAINS ARGON GAS PRESSURIZED TO 17236.89 Kpa (2500 PSI). DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISMANTLE AN 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). REPLACE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS ONLY WITH PARTS SPECIFIED IN THE MOPAR PARTS CATALOG. SUBSTITUTE PARTS MAY APPEAR INTERCHANGEABLE, BUT INTERNAL DIFFERENCES MAY RESULT IN INFERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION. THE FASTENERS, SCREWS, AND BOLTS ORIGINALLY USED FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS HAVE SPECIAL COATINGS AND ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THEY MUST NEVER BE REPLACED WITH ANY SUBSTITUTES. ANY TIME A NEW FASTENER IS NEEDED, REPLACE IT WITH THE CORRECT FASTENERS PROVIDED IN THE SERVICE PACKAGE OR SPECIFIED IN THE MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.