Front Airbag System

FRONT AIRBAG SYSTEM
A dual front airbag system is standard factory-in- stalled safety equipment on this model. Both the driver and passenger airbag are certified to new federal regulations, which allows them to deploy with less force than prior airbags. The primary passenger restraints in this vehicle are the seat belts, which require active use by the vehicle occupants. The front airbag system is a supplemental passive restraint that was designed and is intended to enhance the protection for the front seat occupants of the vehicle when used in conjunction with the seat belts.

The driver airbag includes an inflatable airbag and an inflator unit behind a trim cover in the hub area of the steering wheel. The passenger airbag includes an inflatable airbag and an inflator unit behind an airbag door in the instrument panel above the glove box.

The dual front airbag system consists of the following components:
- Airbag Control Module (ACM)
- Airbag indicator lamp
- Clock Spring
- Driver and passenger airbags (including the airbag inflators)
- Wire harness and connections.
Refer to the proper Body Diagnostic Procedures to test or diagnose a problem with any component of the front airbag system.

The front airbag system electrical circuits are continuously monitored and controlled by a microprocessor and software contained within the Airbag Control Module (ACM). The ACM also contains an impact sensor and a safing sensor, which are monitored by the ACM to determine when an impact occurs that is severe enough to require front airbag system protection. When a frontal impact is severe enough, the ACM initiates the inflator units of both front airbag modules to deploy the airbags.

An airbag indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights for about six to eight seconds as a bulb test each time the ignition switch is turned to the ON position. Following the bulb test, the airbag indicator lamp is turned ON or OFF by the ACM to indicate the status of the airbag system. If the airbag indicator lamp comes ON at any time other than during the bulb test, it indicates that there is a problem in the airbag system circuits. Such a problem may cause the airbags not to deploy when required, or to deploy when not required.

During a frontal vehicle impact, the knee blockers work in concert with properly adjusted seat belts to restrain the driver and front seat passenger in the proper position for an airbag deployment. The knee blockers also work to absorb and distribute the crash energy from the driver and front seat passenger to the structure of the instrument panel. The driver side knee blocker is integral to the left lower instrument panel bezel. The passenger side knee blocker is integral to the glove box door.

Following are general descriptions of the major components in the airbag system.

WARNINGS:
- THIS SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE, COMPLEX ELECTRONIC UNIT. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE REMOTE CABLE BEFORE BEGINNING AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENT REMOVAL OR INSTALLATION PROCEDURES. THIS WILL DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY. ALLOW SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE FOR TWO MINUTES BEFORE REMOVING AIRBAG COMPONENTS.

- DO NOT PLACE AN INTACT UNDEPLOYED AIRBAG FACE DOWN ON A SOLID SURFACE, THE AIRBAG WILL PROPEL INTO THE AIR IF ACCIDENTALLY DEPLOYED AND COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN CARRYING OR HANDLING AN UNDEPLOYED AIRBAG, THE TRIM SIDE OF THE AIRBAG SHOULD BE POINTING AWAY FROM THE BODY TO MINIMIZE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY IF ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT OCCURS. REPLACE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS WITH MOPAR� REPLACEMENT PARTS ONLY. SUBSTITUTE PARTS MAY APPEAR INTERCHANGEABLE, BUT INTERNAL DIFFERENCES MAY RESULT IN INFERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION.

- WEAR SAFETY GLASSES, RUBBER GLOVES, AND LONG SLEEVED CLOTHING WHEN CLEANING POWDER RESIDUE FROM THE VEHICLE AFTER AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. SODIUM HYDROXIDE POWDER RESIDUE EMITTED FROM A DEPLOYED AIRBAG CAN CAUSE SKIN IRRITATION. FLUSH AFFECTED AREA WITH COOL WATER IF IRRITATION IS EXPERIENCED. IF NASAL OR THROAT IRRITATION IS EXPERIENCED, EXIT THE VEHICLE FOR FRESH AIR UNTIL THE IRRITATION CEASES. IF IRRITATION CONTINUES, SEE A PHYSICIAN. DO NOT USE A REPLACEMENT AIRBAG THAT IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING, IMPROPER DEPLOYMENT AND PERSONAL INJURY CAN RESULT.

- THE FACTORY INSTALLED FASTENERS, SCREWS AND BOLTS USED TO FASTEN AIRBAG COMPONENTS HAVE A SPECIAL COATING AND ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. DO NOT USE SUBSTITUTE FASTENERS, USE ONLY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FASTENERS LISTED IN THE PARTS CATALOG WHEN FASTENER REPLACEMENT IS REQUIRED. AIRBAGS SHOULD BE STORED IN A COOL, DRY PLACE, AWAY FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT AND STATIC ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY WITH THE FABRIC AIRBAG FACING OR IF NOT, A PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT.

NOTE: If an airbag is being replaced, and is non-deployed, follow instructions in the current Mopar Hazardous Material Awareness Manual.