Side Air Bag Module
SIDE AIR BAG MODULE
Removal
WARNING:
- Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
- Carry a live side air bag module with the air bag and tear seam pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
- Do not set a live side air bag module down on the cover tear seam. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
- After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
- Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.
- Side air bag modules with damaged covers must be replaced.
- Front seat back trim covers installed on seats equipped with side air bags cannot be repaired, they are to be replaced. Cleaning is permissible.
- To reduce the risk of personal injury, do not use any memory saver devices.
NOTE: If a seat equipped with a seat mounted side air bag and/or a safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) system is being serviced, the supplemental restraint system (SRS) must be depowered.
NOTE: The air bag warning lamp illuminates when the RCM fuse is removed and the ignition switch is ON. This is normal operation and does not indicate a supplemental restraint system (SRS) fault.
NOTE: If a side air bag deployment took place a new seat back pad, trim cover, and side air bag module must be installed. The seat back frame should be replaced if necessary.
NOTE: When replacing the side air bag after deployment, refer to Section 501-10 for additional information concerning the installation of a new side air bag.
NOTE: The SRS must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.
NOTE: The driver seat side air bag module is shown, the passenger side is similar.
NOTE: Repair is made by installing a new part only. If the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and carry out the diagnostic procedure again.
Power seats
1. Position the seat to the full upward position.
All seats
2. Depower the system. Service and Repair
3. NOTE: If the pin-type retainers are damaged, install new retainers. This will keep the wire harness routed correctly.
Separate the side air bag module wire harness from the underside of the seat cushion frame.
1 Remove the pin-type retainers from the seat cushion frame.
2 Release the retaining tab and slide the side air bag module electrical connector off the bracket.
4. WARNING: Front seat back trim covers installed on seats equipped with side air bags cannot be repaired. They are to be replaced (cleaning is permissible).
Release the seat back trim cover lower J-clips.
Sable seats
5. CAUTION: Use care when separating the seat back trim cover from the hook-and-loop strip, or the hook-and-loop strip could be torn from the seat back foam.
Remove the lower row of hog rings.
1 Reach a hand under the trim cover and separate the hook-and-loop strips.
2 Peel up the seat back trim cover in an inside-out fashion to the lower row of hog rings.
3 Remove the lower row of hog rings.
All seats
6. CAUTION: Use care when separating the seat back trim cover from the hook-and-loop strip, or the hook-and-loop strip could be torn from the seat back foam.
NOTE:
- Taurus has only one row of hog rings.
- Sable is shown, Taurus is similar.
Peel up the seat back trim cover in an inside-out fashion to the top row of hog rings.
1 Reach a hand under the trim cover and separate the hook-and-loop strips.
2 Peel up the seat back trim cover in an inside-out fashion to the top row of hog rings.
7. NOTE: If the pin-type retainers are damaged, install new retainers. This will keep the wire harness routed correctly.
Remove the side air bag wire harness pin-type retainer from the side of the seat back frame.
8. WARNING: Do not disconnect the wire connector at the side air bag module. This is a permanent connection. Doing so may result in air bag accidental deployment, which may result in personal injury.
NOTE: If the pin-type retainers are damaged, install new retainers. This will keep the wire harness routed correctly.
Remove the pin-type retainers and separate the side air bag module wire harness from the seat back frame.
9. NOTE: If installing a new side air bag module, use new retaining nuts. If the same side air bag module is to be reused, then reuse the side air bag module nuts.
Remove the side air bag module retaining nuts.
10. Through the opening in the front outboard side of the seat back cushion remove the side air bag module with the wire harness.
Installation
All seats
1. WARNING:
- Inspect the mounting surfaces of the side air bag module and the seat back frame mounting bracket for any foreign objects before installing the side air bag module. If any foreign objects are found, remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury in the event of an air bag deployment.
- Inspect the side air bag cavity in the seat back pad for any foreign objects. If any foreign objects are found, remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury in the event of an air bag deployment.
- Before installing the side air bag module, check it for damage and foreign objects. If the air bag module is damaged, replace it. If any foreign objects are found, remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury in the event of an air bag deployment.
- If the air bag cover has separated or the air bag material has been exposed, install a new side air bag module. Do not attempt to repair the air bag module. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.
Install the side air bag module onto the front seat back frame mounting bracket.
1 Route the side air bag module wiring harness through the outboard opening in the side of the seat back cushion.
2 Position the side air bag module through the outboard opening in the side of the seat back cushion and onto the mounting bracket.
3 Install the side air bag module retaining nuts to specification.
2. NOTE: If the pin-type retainers are damaged, install new retainers. This will keep the wire harness routed correctly.
Route the side air bag module wire harness along the seat back frame and install the pin-type retainers.
3. NOTE: If the pin-type retainers are damaged, install new retainers. This will keep the wire harness routed correctly.
Route the side air bag wire harness along the side of the seat and install the pin-type retainer to the outside of the seat backrest frame.
Sable seats
4. WARNING: Front seat back trim covers installed on seats equipped with side air bags cannot be repaired. They are to be replaced (cleaning is permissible).
CAUTION: Stainless steel hog rings need to be used on seats with side air bag modules. This will ensure correct deployment of the side air bag.
NOTE: Check that the seat back pad is positioned around the seat back frame when repositioning the seat back trim cover.
Install the lower row of hog rings.
1 Reposition the seat back trim cover to the lower row of hog rings.
2 Install two hog rings at each location indicated.
All seats
5. WARNING: Front seat back trim covers installed on seats equipped with side air bags cannot be repaired. They are to be replaced (cleaning is permissible).
NOTE: Check that the seat back pad is positioned around the seat back frame when repositioning the seat back trim cover.
Reposition the seat back trim cover and connect the seat back trim cover J-clip.
6. Secure the trim cover to the pad by seating the hook-and-loop strips together.
7. Repower the system. Service and Repair