System Description

Description

The air bag system is designed to provide increased driver protection if the vehicle is involved in a front-end collision. The system is most effective when used in conjunction with the seat belt system, but it will operate and provide a reduced measure of protection even without seat belts being used.

System Components


�Warning lamp (in the instrument panel)
�Front impact sensors (at left and right on radiator closure panel)
�Air Bag System Diagnostic Module (ASDM ) (under the center of the instrument panel)
�Sensor wiring harness
�Steering Wheel
�Air Bag Module (in the center of the steering wheel)
�Clockspring and wiring harness (in the steering column)


System Operation


Whenever the ignition key is turned to the RUN or START position, the AIR BAG warning lamp on the instrument cluster lights and stays lit for 6 to 8 seconds, then goes off. This means that the Air Bag System Diagnostic Module (ASDM) has checked the system and found it to be free of discernable malfunctions.
Use the test procedures in this book to find the cause of any customer complaint regarding the AIR BAG warning lamp, such as:

- warning lamp does not come on at all
- warning lamp stays on
- warning lamp flashes or blinks


The deceleration resulting from the impact of a front-end collision causes the switch inside of the ASDM safing sensor to be thrown forward to a closed position. As the front end of the vehicle begins to crush from impact, one or both front sensors are also closed. As soon as one front sensor and the safing sensor are closed, an electrical charge is sent to the Air Bag Module. This causes the inflator to be actuated, which produces a quantity of nitrogen gas, thus deploying the air bag. The total time from the closure of the switches to deployment and deflation of the air bag is 1/10th of a second.