Air Bag Systems: Description and Operation

Function:

The system is activated by Sonde, whereby there must be deceleration of car equal to a direct head-on collision of at least 18 km/h against a solid (non-yielding) object.

The electric circuit is made and the gas generator ignites. The ultra-rapid combustion of the solid fuel mixture releases non-toxic gases which fill the folded airbag(s) within approx. 30 milliseconds (ms).

Once the upper body plunges into the airbag, gas slowly escapes through 2 apertures, ensuring that the driver is caught gently.

Monitoring:
Airbag system is monitored continuously by a diagnosing unit from ignition lock position "1". The control lamp comes on and goes out again after about 6 seconds, indicating that the system is ready for use.

If this indicator light comes on again, a fault has been detected in the system.

Self-diagnosis-interrogate the fault memory with the BMW DIAGNOSIS SYSTEM.