Side Curtain Air Bag - Operation

OPERATION

The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) controls the side curtain airbags (also known as Side AirBag Inflatable Curtains/SABIC). For side impacts, the ORC senses the impact severity through two side impact sensors on each side of the vehicle). If the ORC determines the impact is severe enough, it will send an electrical signal to inflate the appropriate curtain airbag. The airbag will inflate, dropping down from the ceiling between the headliner and windows/pillars, to provide supplemental restraint to driver or outboard passengers in the event of a side impact collision. Once a side curtain airbag has been deployed, the complete side curtain airbag, headliner, upper A, B and C-pillar trim panels, and all damaged parts must be replaced on the deployed side.

The ORC monitors the condition of the side curtain airbags through circuit resistance, and will illuminate the airbag indicator in the instrument cluster and store a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for any fault that is detected. Proper diagnosis of the side curtain airbag inflator and squib circuits requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool and may also require the use of the SRS Load Tool special tool along with the appropriate Load Tool Jumpers and Adapters. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.