Air Bag Systems: Service Precautions

CAUTION: When you are performing service on or near the SIR components or the SIR wiring, you must disable the SIR system. Refer to Air Bag(s) Arming and Disarming. Failure to follow the correct procedure could cause air bag deployment, personal injury, or unnecessary SIR system repairs.

The inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) maintains a reserved energy supply. The reserved energy supply provides deployment power for the air bags. Deployment power is available for as much as 1 minute after disconnecting the vehicle power. Disabling the SIR system prevents deployment of the air bags from the reserved energy supply.

General Service Instructions
The following are general service instructions which must be followed in order to properly repair the vehicle and return it to its original integrity:
^ Do not expose inflator modules to temperatures above 65°C (150°F).
^ Verify the correct replacement part number. Do not substitute a component from a different vehicle.
^ Use only original GM replacement parts available from your authorized GM dealer. Do not use salvaged parts for repairs to the SIR system.

Discard any of the following components if it has been dropped from a height of 91 cm (3 ft) or greater:
^ Inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM)
^ Inflatable restraint IP module
^ Inflatable restraint steering wheel module
^ Inflatable restraint steering wheel module coil

SIR CAUTIONS

Caution: This vehicle is equipped with a Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System.
Failure to follow the correct procedure could cause the following conditions:

^ Air bag deployment
^ Personal injury
^ Unnecessary SIR system repairs

In order to avoid the above conditions, observe the following guidelines:

^ Refer to SIR Component Views in order to determine if you are performing service on or near the SIR components or the SIR wiring.
^ If you are performing service on or near the SIR components or the SIR wiring, disable the SIR system. Refer to Disabling the SIR System in SIR.

SIR Deployed Inflator Modules Are Hot

Caution: After an air bag deploys, the metal surfaces of the inflator module are very hot. To help avoid a fire or personal injury:

^ Allow sufficient time for cooling before touching any metal surface of the inflator module.
^ Do not place the deployed inflator module near any flammable objects.

SIR Handling Caution

Caution: When you are performing service on or near the SIR components or the SIR wiring, you must disable the SIR system. Refer to Disabling the SIR System. Failure to follow the correct procedure could cause air bag deployment, personal injury, or unnecessary SIR system repairs.

SIR Inflatable Module Deployment Outside Vehicle

Caution: When you are deploying an inflator module for disposal, perform the deployment procedures in the order listed. Failure to follow the procedures in the order listed may result In personal injury.

SIR Inflator Module Disposal

Caution: In order to prevent accidental deployment of the air bag which could cause personal injury, do not dispose of an undeployed inflator module as normal shop waste. The undeployed inflator module contains substances that could cause severe illness or personal injury if the sealed container is damaged during disposal. Use the following deployment procedures to safely dispose of an undeployed inflator module. Failure to dispose of an inflator module as instructed may be a violation of federal, state, province, or local laws.

SIR Inflator Module Handling and Storage

Caution: When you are carrying an undeployed inflator module:

^ Do not carry the inflator module by the wires or connector on the inflator module
^ Make sure the bag opening points away from you

When you are storing an undeployed inflator module, make sure the bag opening points away from the surface on which the inflator module rests. When you are storing a steering column, do not rest the column with the bag opening facing down and the column vertical. Provide free space for the air bag to expand in case of an accidental deployment. Otherwise, personal injury may result.

SIR Special Tools

Caution: In order to avoid deploying the air bag when troubleshooting the SIR system, use only the equipment specified and the instructions provided. Failure to use the specified equipment as instructed could cause air bag deployment, personal injury to you or someone else, or unnecessary SIR system repairs.