FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
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Airbag System Precautions





This vehicle is equipped with a SRS (Supplemental Restraint System), such as the driver airbag, front passenger airbag and seat belt pretensioners. Failure to carry out service operations in the correct sequence could cause the supplemental restraint system to unexpectedly deploy during servicing, possibly leading to a serious accident. Further, if a mistake is made in servicing the supplemental restraint system, it is possible the SRS may fail to operate when required. Before performing servicing (including removal or installation of parts, inspection or replacement), be sure to read the following items carefully.

1. Malfunction symptoms of the supplemental restraint system are difficult to confirm, so the dIagnostic Trouble Codes become the most important source of information when troubleshooting. When troubleshooting the supplemental restraint system, always inspect the Diagnostic Trouble Codes before disconnecting the battery.
2. Work must be started after 90 seconds from the time the Ignition Switch is turned to the LOCK position and the negative (-) terminal cable is disconnected from the battery (The supplemental restraint system is equipped with a back-up power source so that if work is started within 90 seconds of disconnecting the negative (-) terminal cable of the battery, the SRS may be deployed). When the negative (-) terminal cable is disconnected from the battery, memory of the clock and audio systems will be cancelled. So before starting work, make a record of the contents memorized by the audio memory system. When work is finished, reset the audio systems as before and adjust the clock. This vehicle has power tilt and power telescopic steering, power seat, power outside rear view mirror and power shoulder belt anchorage, which are all equipped with memory function, it is not possible to make a record of the memory contents. So when the work is finished, therefore it will be necessary to explain this fact to the customer, and ask the customer to adjust the features and reset the memory. To avoid erasing the memory of each memory system, never use a back-up power supply from outside the vehicle.
3. Even in cases of a minor collision where the SRS does not deploy, the steering wheel pad, front passenger airbag assembly, seat belt pretensioners and front airbag sensors should be inspected.
4. Never use SRS parts from another vehicle. When replacing parts, replace them with new parts.
5. Before repairs, remove the airbag sensors if shocks are likely to be applied to the sensors during repairs.
6. Never disassemble and repair the front airbag sensors, center airbag sensor assembly, steering wheel pad, front passenger airbag assembly or seat belt pretensioners in order to reuse it.
7. If the front airbag sensors, center airbag sensor assembly, steering wheel pad, front passenger airbag assembly or seat belt pretensioners have been dropped, or if there are cracks, dents or other defects in the case, bracket or connector, replace them with new ones.
8. Do not expose the front airbag sensors, center airbag sensor assembly, steering wheel pad, front passenger airbag assembly or seat belt pretensioners directly to hot air or flames.
9. Use a volt / ohmmeter with high impedance (10 kohms/V minimum) for troubleshooting of the electrical circuit.
10. Information labels are attached to the periphery of the SRS components. Follow the instructions on the notices.
11. After work on the supplemental restraint system is completed, perform the SRS warning light check.

Front Airbag Sensor

1. Never reuse the front airbag sensors involved in a collision that activated the supplemental restraint system. (Replace both left and right airbag sensors.)
2. Install the front airbag sensor with the arrow on the sensor facing toward the front of the vehicle.
3. The front airbag sensor set bolts have been anti-rust treated. When the sensor is removed, always replace the set bolts with new ones.
4. The front airbag sensor is equipped with an electrical connection check mechanism. Be sure to lock this mechanism securely when connecting the connector. If the connector is not securely locked, a malfunction code will be detected by the diagnosis system.

Spiral Cable (in Combination Switch)

The steering wheel must be fitted correctly to the steering column with the spiral cable at the neutral position, otherwise cable disconnection and other troubles may result.

Steering Wheel Pad (with Airbag)

1. When removing the steering wheel pad or handling a new steering wheel pad, it should be placed with the pad top surface facing up. In this case, the twin-lock type connector lock lever should be in the locked state and care should be taken to place it so the connector will not be damaged. And do not store a steering wheel pad on top of another one. (Storing the pad with its metallic surface up may lead to a serious accident if the airbag inflates for some reason.)
2. Never measure the resistance of the airbag squib. (This may cause the airbag to deploy, which is very dangerous.)
3. Grease should not be applied to the steering wheel pad and the pad should not be cleaned with detergents of any kind.
4. Store the steering wheel pad where the ambient temperature remains below 93°C (200°F), without high humidity and away from electrical noise.
5. When using electric welding, first disconnect the airbag connector (yellow color and 2 pins) under the steering column near the combination switch connector before starting work.
6. When disposing of a vehicle or the steering wheel pad alone, the airbag should be deployed using an SST before disposal. Perform the operation in a place away from electrical noise.

Front Passenger Airbag Assembly

1. Always store a removed or new front passenger airbag assembly with the airbag door facing up. Storing the airbag assembly with the airbag door facing down could cause a serious accident if the airbag inflates.
2. Never measure the resistance of the airbag squib.(This may cause the airbag deploy, which is very dangerous.)
3. Grease should not be applied to the front passenger airbag assembly and the airbag door should not be cleaned with detergents of any kind.
4. Store the airbag assembly where the ambient temperature remains below 93°C (200° F). without high humidity and away from electrical noise.
5. When using electric welding, first disconnect the airbag connector (yellow color and 2 pins) installed on the glove compartment finish plate at the left side of the glove compartment before starting work.
6. When disposing of a vehicle or the airbag assembly alone, the airbag should be deployed using an SST before disposal. Perform the operation in a place away from electrical noise.

Seat Belt Pretensioner

1. When storing a removed or new front seat outer belt. the twin-lock type connector lock lever should be in the locked state and care should be taken to place it so the connector will not be damaged.
2. Never measure the resistance of the seat belt pretensioner. (This may cause the pretensioner operates, which is very dangerous.)
3. Oil or water should not be put on the front seat outer belt and the front seat outer belt should not be cleaned with detergents of any kind.
4. Store the front seat outer belt where the ambient temperature remains below 80°C (176°F), without high humidity and away from electrical noise.
5. When using electric welding. first disconnect the connector (yellow collor and 2 pins) installed lower the front scuff plate and underneath the floor carpet before starting work.
6. When disposing of a vehicle or a front seat outer belt alone, the seat belt pretensioner should be activated using a SST before disposal. Perform the operation in a place away from electrical noise.

Center Airbag Sensor Assembly

1. Never reuse the center airbag sensor assembly involved in a collision when the SRS has deployed.
2. The connectors to the center airbag sensor assembly should be connected or disconnected with the sensor mounted on the floor. If the connectors are connected or disconnected while the center airbag sensor assembly is not mounted to the floor, it could cause undesired ignition of the supplemental restraint system.
3. Work must be started after 90 seconds from the time the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK position and the negative (-) terminal cable is disconnected from the battery, even if only loosing the set bolts of the center airbag sensor assembly.

Wire Harness and Connector

The SRS wire harness is integrated with the cowl wire harness assembly and floor wire harness assembly. The wires for the SRS wire harness are encased in a yellow corrugated tube. All the connectors for the system are also a standard yellow color. If the SRS wire harness becomes disconnected or the connector becomes broken due to an accident, etc., repair or replace it.