Collision Inspection

On vehicles which have experienced an air bag system deployment, certain air bag system components must be replaced. To determine which air bag system components require replacement, refer to Air Bag.

All system components should be inspected for dents, cracks, exposure to excessive heat and other damage. All air bag system wiring should be checked for chafing and interference with other vehicle components. The instrument panel should also be inspected. When repairing vehicle, system should be disarmed as described under Air Bag System Disarming & Arming. Also, when performing service procedures, do not expose components or wiring to heat guns, welding or spray guns.

WARNING: Proper operation of sensors and SIR system requires that any repairs to the vehicle structure must return it to the original production configuration. Deployment requires, at a minimum, replacement of the sensors in the area of accident damage, inflator module and dimensional inspection of the steering column. Any visible damage to the DERM or SDM mounting brackets requires replacement. Any visible damage to the sensors in the area of accident damage must be replaced and the steering column must be inspected whether deployment occurred or not.

. If any system components are damaged, they must be replaced. If SIR component mounting points are damaged, they must be repaired or replaced.
1. Never use SIR parts from another vehicle. This does not include remanufactured parts available from General Motors Corporation.
2. Do not attempt to service discriminating sensors, arming sensor, DERM, SDM, SIR coil assembly or inflator module. Service of these items is by replacement only.
3. Verify part number of replacement inflator module. Some GM inflator modules look identical but contain different internal components.
4. After deployment has occurred, SIR diagnostic trouble codes must be cleared using scan tool Clear Codes command. This must be done to turn the air bag warning lamp off.