Air Bag(s) Arming and Disarming: Service Precautions

Service warnings

Personal safety

Failure to follow all warnings, cautions, notices and procedures could result in personal injury or death.

Power supply deactivation

Air bag-SRS diagnostic unit contains a backup power supply. Before disconnecting air bag-SRS components, turn ignition switch to LOCK, disconnect battery (negative terminal first), and wait 10 minutes for backup power supply to discharge.

Failure to follow this procedure could cause air bag modules to deploy during service procedures, which may cause serious injury.

Safety equipment

Always wear safety glasses when handling air bag modules.

Always wear rubber gloves when handling deployed or damaged air bag modules.

Air bag surface may be contaminated with small amounts of sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Prevent contact of air bag module with liquids, combustibles, and flammable materials. Immediately wash contaminated hands and skin areas with mild soap and water, flush eyes with water if exposed to by-products. Failure to follow these instructions could result in chemical burns and personal injury.

Wiring and electrical components

Never service wiring or electrical components when any air bag is connected. When a procedure directs use of a multimeter to probe pins of a connector, insert probes into back of connector where possible. If you must probe front face (terminal side), be certain to use a probe whose tip will not damage terminals when it is inserted.

Component disassembly

Do not disassemble any air bag-SRS components. Disassembly can render system inoperative, which may result in serious injury or death in event of an accident. Never attempt to disassemble or repair air bag modules. Any attempt to adapt, re-use, or install an air bag module or its components in another vehicle may result in serious injury or death to vehicle occupants in event of an accident.

Air bag diagnostic unit (ADU)

Do not connect ADU connector unless ADU is securely installed. Shock of installation or pinching wiring harness between module and its mounting points can cause air bags to deploy, which may cause serious injury.

Air bag module inspection

Do not probe or inspect air bag modules or any of their connectors with an ohmmeter. Inspecting air bag module with an ohmmeter, which supplies current, can cause air bags to deploy, resulting in serious injury.

Air bag module connector

Do not cut or otherwise remove the air bag module connector. Connector contains a safety shunt which, if disabled, could cause an unintended deployment. This may cause severe personal injury or death.

Air bag module handling

A live (undeployed) air bag may accidently deploy during handling. When carrying a live air bag module, point plastic trim cover away from your body to lessen chance of injury in case of accidental deployment. Never carry module by its wiring or connectors.

Securing modules

Always place live air bag modules face up (plastic trim side up) to lessen motion of the module in case of accidental deployment. Keep the area clear of parts, tools and other debris. Never place items on or above the trim cover of a live air bag module. In case of accidental deployment, such items may cause serious injury or death

Live air bag module storage

Live air bag modules contain solid flammable material. Store in a cool, dry, secure area. Do not expose them to cut, drill, braze, solder or weld an air bag module or any open flame or temperatures in excess of 300°F. Do not of its components. Never expose the module or any of its components to electricity. Failure to comply with this warning can lessen the integrity of the module, causing fires, chemical exposure, or unintended deployment, which may cause serious injury or death.

Damaged live air bag module storage

Damaged live air bag modules should be stored away from all acids, halogens, heavy metals and metal salts. Damaged units may produce hydrozoic acid if exposed to liquids. If an undeployed air bag module or inflator is ruptured or tampered with, refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the particular module for important information concerning the constituents of undeployed modules. Exposure to high concentrations of Propellant mixture can cause headaches, nausea, blurred vision faintness, cyanosis, lowering of blood pressure or tachycardia. Failure to comply with this warning can result in fire, noxious fumes, severe personal injury or death.

Out-of-vehicle deployment

Out-of-vehicle deployment should be performed in an open area, away from other personnel. Verify that there is no loose debris or flammable liquid near the air bag assembly. All personnel should be behind protective cover (i.e., wall, vehicle) to shield their bodies from potential projectiles. Do not attempt to deploy a ruptured air bag module. Failure to comply with this warning may result in severe injury or death. Refer to Air Bag Deployment and Disposal.

Danger of fire

Air bag module components are very hot after deployment. Units should be deployed outdoors or in open areas to prevent fires. Allow components at least twenty minutes to thoroughly cool. Cooling modules should be continuously monitored to ensure hot components do not create fires with spilled liquids or other debris. Failure to allow the unit to cool could result in burns, fires or personal injury.

Storage/Transportation/Disposal/Recycling

Storage, transportation, disposal and recycling of air bag module and components must be performed in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations including, but not limited to, those governing fire codes, EPA, OSHA and DOT regulations.