Side Curtain Air Bag - Description

DESCRIPTION





Side curtain airbags are available optional equipment for this vehicle when it is also equipped with dual front airbags. These airbags are passive, inflatable, Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) components, and vehicles with this equipment can be readily identified by a molded AIRBAG identification logo located on the garnish molding above each front door near the B pillar. This system is designed to reduce injuries to the vehicle occupants in the event of a side impact collision.

Vehicles equipped with side curtain airbags have two individually controlled curtain airbag units. These airbag units are concealed and mounted above and forward of the front door openings where they are each secured to the A-pillar and the roof side rail. Each folded airbag cushion is contained within a sleeve-like molded plastic garnish molding (3) that extends up the A-pillar from the belt line of the vehicle and along the roof rail to just forward of the B-pillar.

A tether extends down the A-pillar from the front of the airbag cushion, where it is secured to the airbag inflator bracket (4) near the base of the pillar at the belt line. On vehicles equipped with curtain airbags, the back side of the A-pillar trim is also equipped with a tether that is secured to the upper A-pillar with a screw.

The hybrid-type inflator (1) for each airbag is connected to the airbag cushion by a tubular manifold (2). Two screws secure the inflator bracket with the inflator and the initiator (5) to the A-pillar. Another screw secures a bracket at each end of the garnish molding to the to the inner roof rail.

A two-wire take out of the vehicle body wire harness connects the inflator initiator to the vehicle electrical system with a keyed and latched connector insulator. The body wire harness connects the airbag unit to the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) (also known as the lowline or highline airbag control unit/ARCADE).

The side curtain airbag unit cannot be adjusted or repaired and must be replaced if deployed, ineffective, or in any way damaged. Once a side curtain airbag has been deployed, the complete airbag unit and all other visibly damaged components must be replaced.