Air Bag Systems: Description and Operation

INTRODUCTION

The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is designed to supplement the driver's and front passenger's seat belts to help reduce the risk or severity of injury to the driver and front passenger by activating and deploying both air bags in certain frontal collisions.

The SRS consists of two air bag modules; one located in the center of the steering wheel and another one located above the glove box, which contains the folded air bag and an inflator unit; the SRS air bag control unit (SRS-ECU) located under the floor console assembly, which monitors the system, and which contains a safing G sensor and analog G sensor; an SRS warning light located on the instrument panel, which indicates the operational status of the SRS; a clock spring interconnection located within the steering column.

It is not until the SRS-ECU in response to the output signal from the analog G sensor, finds it necessary to ignite the air bag, and the safing G sensor is caused to be ON that the SRS deploys the air bag.

Only authorized service personnel should do work on or around SRS components. Extreme care must be used when servicing the SRS, to avoid injury to the service personnel (by inadvertent deployment of the air bag) or to driver (by rendering the SRS inoperative).