Passenger Airbag

Passenger Airbag Door:

The rearward facing surface of the injection molded, thermoplastic passenger airbag door is the most visible part of the optional passenger airbag. The passenger airbag door is located above the glove box opening in front of the front seat passenger seating position on the instrument panel. The upper and lower edges of the airbag door are secured by a snap-fit to molded plastic clips. The two clips at the top are each secured by a screw to the instrument panel base trim, while the clips at the bottom are integral to the panel that surrounds the passenger airbag door opening in the instrument panel bast trim. The airbag door is also secured to the airbag housing by two wide woven straps that serve as hinges for the door upon an airbag deployment.

Passenger Airbag Unit:

Located behind the passenger airbag door is the passenger airbag unit. The airbag housing is constructed of a long U-shaped aluminum extrusion with two stamped steel end plates. A stepped flange that extends from the back of the extrusion serves as the airbag mounting flange. This mounting flange is secured with screws to a stamped steel air-bag mounting bracket that is secured with screws to the tubular steel instrument panel structural support above the glove box opening. The end plates are secured to each side of the passenger airbag housing with screws.

The passenger airbag unit 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. The airbag housing contains the folded airbag cushion, the airbag retainer, and the airbag inflator. The airbag is a rectangular fabric cushion. The airbag inflator is a solid fuel, pyrotechnic-type unit that is secured to and sealed within the airbag housing along with the folded airbag cushion. The inflator initiator connector receptacle is connected to the vehicle electrical system through a dedicated take out of the vehicle wire harness with a yellow connector insulator.

The passenger airbag and airbag door unit cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed, faulty or in any way damaged.

The passenger airbag is deployed by an electrical signal generated by the Airbag Control Module (ACM) through the passenger airbag squib circuits 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 airbag cushion inflates, the passenger air-bag door will unsnap from the clips that retain it to the instrument panel at the top and bottom, then pivot towards the top of the instrument panel and out of the way on the woven straps. Following a passenger airbag deployment, the airbag cushion quickly deflates by venting the inert gas through the loose weave of the fabric used to construct the back (instrument panel side) 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. However, the gas that is produced when the chemicals are burned is harmless. 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 noticed, 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 immediately.