Restraints and Safety Systems: Description and Operation
FRONT AIRBAG SYSTEMA dual front airbag system is standard factory-installed 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 air-bag inflators)
- Wire harness and connections.
Refer to the proper Body Diagnostic Procedures manual 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.
SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SYSTEM
Vehicles equipped with the Side Impact Airbag System utilize two airbags mounted to each front seat back frame. This system is designed to protect occupants in the event of a side impact collision.
The side impact airbag control module (SIACM) controls the seat back mounted airbags. If the SIACM determines the impact is severe enough, the appropriate airbag/s will inflate, tearing open the front seat back trim cover/s protecting the passenger/s. Once a seat back mounted airbag has been deployed, all damaged parts must be replaced.