Side Impact Collision SRS Operation
SIDE IMPACT COLLISION SRS OPERATION
When either the driver or passenger side impact side airbag sensor detects a sudden lateral acceleration which exceeds the lateral threshold value a signal is sent to the ORC.The ORC then deploys the appropriate side airbag.
The SRS electrical circuits are continuously monitored and controlled by a microprocessor and software contained within the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) (1).An airbag warning indicator lamp in the Instrument Cluster (IC) illuminates for about six seconds as a bulb test each time the ignition switch is turned to the On or Start positions.Following the bulb test, the air-bag warning indicator lamp is turned On or Off by the ORC to indicate the status of the SRS.If the airbag warning indicator lamp comes on at any time other than during the bulb test, it indicates that there is a concern in the SRS electrical circuits.Such a problem may cause airbags to not deploy when required, or to deploy when not required.
Deployment of the driver and passenger airbags depends upon the angle and severity of an impact.Deployment is not based upon vehicle speed; rather, deployment is based upon the rate of deceleration as measured by the forces of gravity (G force).When an impact is severe enough, the microprocessor in the ORC signals the inflator of the appropriate airbag units to deploy their airbag cushions.The SBT is provided with a deployment signal by the ORC in conjunction with the driver and passenger airbags.During a frontal vehicle impact, the seat belts are used to restrain both the driver and the passenger in the proper position for an airbag deployment.The SBT removes the slack from the seat belts to provide further assurance that the driver and passenger are properly positioned and restrained for an airbag deployment.
Typically, the vehicle occupants recall more about the events preceding and following a collision than they do of an airbag deployment itself.This is because the airbag deployment and deflation occur so rapidly.In a typical 30 mile-per-hour (48 kilometer-per-hour) barrier impact, from the moment of impact until the airbags are fully inflated takes about 40 milliseconds.Within one to two seconds from the moment of impact, the airbags are almost entirely deflated.The times cited for these events are approximations, which apply only to a barrier impact at the given speed.Actual times will vary somewhat, depending upon the vehicle speed, impact angle, severity of the impact, and the type of collision.
When the ORC monitors a concern in any of the SRS circuits or components, including the SBT, it stores a fault code or Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) in its memory circuit and sends an electronic message to the IC via the CAN to illuminate the airbag warning indicator.Proper testing of the SRS components, CAN data bus, ORC signals, and DTC information requires the use of a DRB III(R) scan tool.Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.See the Owners Manual in the vehicle glove box regarding features, use, and operation of all of the factory-installed active restraints.
WARNING:
- DURING AND FOLLOWING ANY SEAT BELT OR CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHOR SERVICE, CAREFULLY INSPECT ALL SEAT BELTS, BUCKLES, MOUNTING HARDWARE, RETRACTORS, TETHER STRAPS, AND ANCHORS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION, OPERATION, OR DAMAGE.REPLACE ANY BELT THAT IS CUT, FRAYED, OR TORN.STRAIGHTEN ANY BELT THAT IS TWISTED.TIGHTEN ANY LOOSE FASTENERS.REPLACE ANY BELT THAT HAS A DAMAGED OR INOPERATIVE BUCKLE OR RETRACTOR.REPLACE ANY BELT THAT HAS A BENT OR DAMAGED LATCH PLATE OR ANCHOR PLATE.REPLACE ANY CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHOR OR THE UNIT TO WHICH THE ANCHOR IS INTEGRAL THAT HAS BEEN BENT OR DAMAGED.NEVER ATTEMPT TO REPAIR A SEAT BELT OR CHILD RESTRAINT COMPONENT.ALWAYS REPLACE DAMAGED OR FAULTY SEAT BELT AND CHILD RESTRAINT COMPONENTS WITH THE CORRECT, NEW AND UNUSED REPLACEMENT PARTS LISTED IN THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.
- ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG, PASSENGER AIR-BAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE.DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE.THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM.FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
- AN AIRBAG INFLATOR UNIT MAY CONTAIN 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.AN AIRBAG INFLATOR UNIT MAY ALSO CONTAIN A GAS CANISTER PRESSURIZED TO OVER 2500 PSI.DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISMANTLE AN AIRBAG UNIT OR TAMPER WITH ITS INFLATOR.DO NOT PUNCTURE, INCINERATE, OR BRING INTO CONTACT WITH ELECTRICITY.DO NOT STORE AT TEMPERATURES EXCEEDING 93° C (200° F).
- WHEN HANDLING A SEAT BELT TENSIONER , PROPER CARE SHOULD BE EXERCISED TO KEEP FINGERS OUT FROM UNDER THE TENSIONER COVER AND AWAY FROM THE SEAT BELT WEBBING WHERE IT EXITS FROM THE TENSIONER COVER.
- REPLACE ALL RESTRAINT SYSTEM COMPONENTS ONLY WITH PARTS SPECIFIED IN THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOPAR(R) 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 RESTRAINT SYSTEM COMPONENTS HAVE SPECIAL COATINGS AND ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE RESTRAINT 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 DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOPAR(R) PARTS CATALOG.
- WHEN A STEERING COLUMN HAS AN AIRBAG UNIT ATTACHED, NEVER PLACE THE COLUMN ON THE FLOOR OR ANY OTHER SURFACE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR AIRBAG UNIT FACE DOWN.