Passenger Air Bag - Description

DESCRIPTION





The horizontal surface of the injection molded, thermoplastic instrument panel top cover (1) above the glove box (2) is the most visible part of the Passenger AirBag (PAB). The PAB door is integral to the top of the instrument panel top cover forward of the glove box opening on the instrument panel in front of the front seat passenger seating position.





Located below the PAB door area of the instrument panel top cover (1), the molded thermoplastic PAB retainer (2) or chute is secured to the underside of the top cover. The retainer defines the airbag door breakout area of the top cover and serves as the receptacle for the PAB cushion and housing (3). Numerous small window openings on the forward and rearward flanges of the receptacle receive mating hook formations stamped into the PAB housing, which locate and secure the housing to the trim cover.





The PAB unit is also secured by two studs on the stamped mounting bracket (4) to the instrument panel structural support. The PAB unit used in this vehicle is a multistage type that complies with revised federal airbag standards to deploy with less force than those used in some prior vehicles.

The PAB unit consists of a stamped metal housing (2), the airbag cushion (1) and the airbag inflator (3). The airbag inflator is secured to the housing by four screws and nuts. The airbag housing contains the folded rectangular airbag cushion. The folded airbag cushion within the metal housing should never be unfolded.

The airbag inflator is a non-azide, pyrotechnic-type unit that is secured to and sealed within the airbag housing. Two dedicated takeouts and yellow connectors of the instrument panel wire harness with keyed, and color-coded (black and orange) insulators connect the two inflator initiators to the vehicle electrical system.

The PAB cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed, ineffective, or in any way damaged. The PAB door and retainer are serviced only as a unit with the instrument panel top cover. If the PAB is deployed, the instrument panel top cover must also be replaced.