Driver Airbag

Driver Airbag Trim Cover:

Driver Airbag Housing:

The color-keyed, injection molded, thermoplastic driver airbag protective trim cover is the most visible part of the driver airbag. The driver airbag is located in the center of the steering wheel, where it is secured with two screws to the armature of the horn switch within the hub cavity of the four-spoke steering wheel. Concealed beneath the driver airbag trim cover are the folded airbag cushion, the airbag cushion retainer, the airbag housing, the airbag inflator, and the retainers that secure the inflator to the airbag housing. The airbag cushion, housing, and inflator are secured within an integral receptacle molded into the back of the trim cover.

The airbag used in this model is a Next Generation-type that complies with revised federal airbag standards to deploy with less force than those used in some prior models. A radial deploying fabric cushion with internal tethers is used. The airbag inflator is a solid fuel, pyrotechnic-type unit with four studs and is secured by four hex nuts to four studs on the airbag cushion retainer ring to the back of the stamped metal airbag housing. A keyed connector receptacle on the driver airbag inflator connects the inflator initiator to the vehicle electrical system through a yellow-jacketed, two-wire pigtail harness of the Clockspring.

The driver airbag and trim cover unit cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed, faulty, or in any way damaged.

Driver Airbag Operation:

The driver airbag is deployed by electrical signals generated by the Airbag Control Module (ACM) through the driver airbag squib circuit to the initiator in the airbag inflator. When the ACM sends the proper electrical signal to the initiator the electrical energy generates enough heat to initiate a small pyrotechnic charge which, in turn, ignites chemical pellets within the inflator. Once ignited, these chemical pellets burn rapidly and produce a large quantity of inert gas. The inflator is sealed to the back of the airbag housing and a diffuser in the inflator directs all of the inert gas into the airbag cushion, causing the cushion to inflate. As the cushion inflates, the driver airbag trim cover will split at predetermined breakout lines, then fold back out of the way. Following an airbag deployment, the airbag cushion quickly deflates by venting the inert gas towards the instrument panel through filtered vents within the fabric used to construct the back (steering wheel side) panel of the airbag cushion.

Some of the chemicals used to create the inert gas may be considered hazardous while in their solid state before they are burned, but they are securely sealed within the airbag inflator. Typically, all potentially hazardous chemicals are burned during an air-bag deployment event. The inert gas that is produced when the chemicals are burned is harmless. However, a small amount of residue from the burned chemicals may cause some temporary discomfort if it contacts the skin, eyes, or breathing passages. If skin or eye irritation is noted, rinse the affected area with plenty of cool, clean water. If breathing passages are irritated, move to another area where there is plenty of clean, fresh air to breath. If the irritation is not alleviated by these actions, contact a physician.