Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)

The passive air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is designed to provide increased collision protection for front seat occupants IN ADDITION TO that provided by the three point safety belt system.
- Safety belt use is necessary to obtain the best occupant protection and to receive the full advantages of the supplemental air bag.
- FORD RECOMMENDS THE USE OF SAFETY BELT SYSTEMS FOR ALL VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

The SRS consists of two basic subsystems:
- driver air bag module and passenger air bag module
- electrical system, including air bag Electronic Crash Sensor (ECS) module

The subsystem components are located as follows:
- driver air bag module - steering wheel
- passenger air bag module - above glove compartment
- air bag sliding contact - behind steering wheel
- Electronic Crash Sensor module - on the center tunnel under instrument panel

Electrical System
The air bag system is powered directly from the battery and the ignition. The system maintains crash discrimination and deployment functions for 6 minutes after key-off. The system can also function when the driver or passenger seats are unoccupied. The electrical system performs three main functions:
- detects an impact
- carries electric current to the ignites
- monitors the system to determine readiness

The electrical system components include:
- air bag Electronic Crash Sensor (ECS) module with integrated back-up power supply and safing sensor.
- AIR BAG warning indicator.
- wiring harness and air bag sliding contact.
- igniter within the driver air bag module and passenger air bag module.

Sensors

WARNING: THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CRASH SENSOR (ECS) ORIENTATION IS CRITICAL FOR CORRECT SYSTEM OPERATION. IF A VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH THE CENTER TUNNEL AREA HAS BEEN DAMAGED, INSPECT THE MOUNTING AND BRACKET FOR DEFORMATION. IF DAMAGED, THE ECS MUST BE REPLACED WHETHER OR NOT THE AIR BAGS HAVE DEPLOYED. IN ADDITION, MAKE SURE THE AREA OF THE ECS MOUNTING IS RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION.

The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) contains two sensors which are contained in the air bag Electronic Crash Sensor (ECS) module. The ECS is mounted on the center tunnel under the instrument panel.