Air Bag Systems: Description and Operation

AIRBAG SYSTEM
A dual front airbag system is standard factory-installed safety equipment on this model. The primary passenger restraints in this vehicle are the standard equipment factory-installed seat belts, which require active use by the vehicle occupants. The airbag system is a supplemental passive restraint that was designed and is intended to enhance the protection for the front seat occupants of the vehicle only when used in conjunction with the seat belts. See the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for more information on the features, use and operation of all of the factory-installed passenger restraints, including the airbag system.

The dual front airbag system consists of the following components:
- Airbag Control Module (ACM)
- Airbag indicator lamp
- Clockspring
- Driver and passenger side airbag modules (including the airbag inflators)
- Driver and passenger side knee blockers
- Passenger side airbag ON/OFF switch (except quad cab)
- Wire harness and connections.

This provides complete service information for the ACM, both airbag modules, the clockspring, and the passenger side airbag ON/OFF switch. Complete service information for the other airbag system components can be located as follows:
- Refer to Instrument Panel Systems for complete service information for the airbag indicator lamp.
- Refer to Steering Column Opening Cover in the Removal and Installation.
- Refer to Glove Box in the Removal and Installation.

The airbag system electrical circuits are continuously monitored and controlled by a microprocessor and software contained within the Airbag Control Module (ACM). The ACM also contains an impact sensor and a safing sensor, which are monitored by the ACM to determine when an impact occurs that is severe enough to require airbag system protection. When a frontal impact is severe enough, the ACM signals the inflator units of both airbag modules to deploy the airbags.

An airbag indicator Tamp in the instrument cluster lights for about seven seconds as a bulb test, each time the ignition switch is turned to the On or Start positions. Following the bulb test, the airbag indicator lamp is turned on or off by the ACM to indicate the status of the airbag system. If the airbag indicator lamp comes on at any time other than during the bulb test, it indicates that there is a problem in the airbag system circuits. Such a problem may cause the airbags not to deploy when required, or to deploy when not required.

The driver side airbag module includes an inflatable airbag and an inflator unit behind a trim cover in the hub area of the steering wheel. The passenger side airbag module includes a second inflatable airbag and an inflator unit behind an airbag door in the instrument panel above the glove box.

During a frontal vehicle impact, the knee blockers work in concert with properly adjusted seat belts to restrain the driver and front seat passenger in the proper position for an airbag deployment. The knee blockers also work to absorb and distribute the crash energy from the driver and front seat passenger to the structure of the instrument panel. The driver side knee blocker is integral to the instrument panel steering column opening cover. The passenger side knee blocker is integral to the glove box door.

Following are general descriptions of the major components in the airbag system.

WARNING:
- THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE, COMPLEX ELECTROMECHANICAL UNIT. BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE OR SERVICE ANY AIRBAG SYSTEM OR RELATED STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENTS YOU MUST FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE. THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE FURTHER SYSTEM SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DO THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
- THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULE INFLATOR ASSEMBLY CONTAINS SODIUM AZIDE AND POTASSIUM NITRATE. THESE MATERIALS ARE POISONOUS AND EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. CONTACT WITH ACID, WATER, OR HEAVY METALS MAY PRODUCE HARMFUL AND IRRITATING GASES (SODIUM HYDROXIDE IS FORMED IN THE PRESENCE OF MOISTURE) OR COMBUSTIBLE COMPOUNDS. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MODULE CONTAINS ARGON GAS PRESSURIZED TO OVER 2500 PSI. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISMANTLE AN AIRBAG MODULE OR TAMPER WITH ITS INFLATOR. DO NOT PUNCTURE,INCINERATE, OR BRING INTO CONTACT WITH ELECTRICITY. DO NOT STORE AT TEMPERATURES EXCEEDING 93 °C (200 °F).
- REPLACE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS ONLY WITH PARTS SPECIFIED IN THE CHRYSLER MOPAR PARTS CATALOG. SUBSTITUTE PARTS MAY APPEAR INTERCHANGEABLE, BUT INTERNAL DIFFERENCES MAY RESULT IN INFERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION.
- THE FASTENERS, SCREWS, AND BOLTS ORIGINALLY USED FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS HAVE SPECIAL COATINGS AND ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THEY MUST NEVER BE REPLACED WITH ANY SUBSTITUTES. ANY TIME A NEW FASTENER IS NEEDED, REPLACE IT WITH THE CORRECT FASTENERS PROVIDED IN THE SERVICE PACKAGE OR SPECIFIED IN THE CHRYSLER MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.
- WHEN A STEERING COLUMN HAS AN AIRBAG MODULE ATTACHED, NEVER PLACE THE COLUMN ON THE FLOOR OR ANY OTHER SURFACE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR AIRBAG MODULE FACE DOWN.

DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULE
The driver side airbag module protective trim cover is the most visible part of the driver side airbag system. The driver side airbag module is mounted directly to the steering wheel. Located under the air- bag module trim cover are the horn switch, the folded airbag cushion, and the airbag cushion supporting components. The resistive membrane-type horn switch is secured with heat stakes to the inside surface of the airbag module trim cover, between the trim cover and the folded airbag cushion.

The driver side airbag module cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed or in any way damaged. The driver side airbag module trim cover and the horn switch are available as a unit for service replacement.

The driver side airbag module includes a stamped metal housing to which the cushion and an inflator unit are attached and sealed. The conventional pyrotechnic-type inflator assembly is mounted to studs on the back of the airbag module housing. The inflator seals the hole in the airbag cushion so it can discharge the gas it produces directly into the cushion when supplied with the proper electrical signal. Following an airbag deployment, the airbag cushion quickly deflates by venting this gas towards the instrument panel through the porous fabric material used on the steering wheel side of the airbag cushion.

The protective trim cover is fitted to the front of the airbag module and forms a decorative cover in the center of the steering wheel. The inside of the trim cover has locking blocks molded into it that engage a lip on the airbag module metal housing. Two stamped metal retainers then fit over the inflator mounting studs on the back of the airbag module housing and are engaged in slots on the inside of the cover, securely locking the trim cover into place. The trim cover will split at predetermined breakout lines, then fold back out of the way along with the horn switch upon airbag deployment.

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MODULE
The passenger side airbag door on the instrument panel above the glove box is the most visible part of the passenger side airbag system. Located under the airbag door are the passenger side airbag cushion and the airbag cushion supporting components.

The passenger side airbag module includes an extruded aluminum housing within which the cushion and inflator are mounted and sealed. The airbag housing extrusion also includes two flanges. The flanges, one at the top and one at the bottom, serve as the mounting brackets for the module. Two stamped metal brackets, one on each end of the housing, enclose the cushion and inflator. The passenger side airbag module upper bracket is secured beneath the instrument panel top pad with rivets to a flange and bracket on the passenger side airbag door. The lower bracket is secured with screws to the instrument panel structural duct.

Following a passenger side airbag deployment, the passenger side airbag module and the instrument panel assembly must be replaced. The passenger side airbag module cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed or in any way damaged.

The hybrid-type inflator assembly includes a small canister of highly compressed argon gas. The inflator seals the hole in the airbag cushion so it can discharge the gas it produces directly into the cushion when supplied with the proper electrical signal. Following an airbag deployment, the airbag cushion quickly deflates by venting this gas through the porous fabric material used on each end panel of the airbag cushion.

The molded plastic passenger side airbag door is secured to the instrument panel top cover with rivets. The airbag door has predetermined breakout lines concealed beneath its decorative cover. Upon airbag deployment, the airbag door will split at the breakout lines and the door will pivot out of the way. The passenger side airbag door is serviced only as a unit with the instrument panel top cover.

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ON/OFF SWITCH
A passenger side airbag ON/OFF switch on all models except quad cab, which is located on the instrument panel, allows the passenger side airbag system to be disabled when certain child restraint devices are being used in the right front seating position. The passenger side airbag ON/OFF switch is equipped with a key actuator that is designed so that the switch position can be changed using an ignition key. The key is inserted into the actuator far enough to fully depress a spring loaded locking plunger, then rotated to the desired position. The key will not insert all the way into the actuator, and the spring-loaded locking plunger prevents the user from leaving a key in the actuator. When the ignition switch is in the ON position and the passenger side airbag system is disabled, a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) illuminates an Off indicator lamp on the face plate of the switch.

The passenger side airbag ON/OFF switch cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if faulty or damaged, the switch assembly must be replaced.

To actuate the passenger side airbag ON/OFF switch, insert the ignition key in the switch key actuator far enough to fully depress the spring-loaded locking plunger. The switch key actuator is then rotated with the ignition key to its clockwise stop (the key actuator slot will be aligned with the Off indicator lamp) to disable the passenger side airbag system. When the switch key actuator is rotated with the ignition key to its counterclockwise stop (the key actuator slot will be in a vertical position), the Off indicator lamp will be extinguished and the passenger side airbag system will be enabled.

AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE
The Airbag Control Module (ACM) is secured with screws to a mount welded onto the floor panel transmission tunnel behind the instrument panel center support bracket in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The ACM contains an electronic microprocessor, an electronic impact sensor, an electromechanical safing sensor, and an energy storage capacitor.

The ACM cannot be repaired or adjusted and, if damaged or faulty, it must be replaced.

The microprocessor in the ACM contains the airbag system logic. The airbag system logic includes On-Board Diagnostics (OBD), and the ability to communicate with the instrument cluster circuitry over the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus to control the airbag indicator lamp. The microprocessor continuously monitors all of the airbag system electrical circuits to determine the system readiness. If the ACM detects a monitored system fault, it sends messages to the instrument cluster over the CCD data bus to turn on the airbag indicator lamp. Refer to Instrument Panel Systems for more information on the airbag indicator lamp.

One electronic impact sensor is used in this airbag system. The impact sensor is an accelerometer that senses the rate of vehicle deceleration, which provides verification of the direction and severity of an impact. The impact sensor is calibrated for the specific vehicle, and is only serviced as a unit with the ACM. A pre-programmed decision algorithm in the ACM microprocessor determines when the deceleration rate as signaled by the impact sensor indicates an impact that is severe enough to require airbag system protection. When the programmed conditions are met, the ACM sends an electrical signal to deploy the airbags.

In addition to the electronic impact sensor, there is an electromechanical sensor within the ACM called a safing sensor. The safing sensor is a normally open series switch located in the airbag deployment circuit of the ACM. This sensor detects impact energy of a lesser magnitude than the electronic impact sensor, and must be closed in order for the airbags to deploy.

The ACM also contains an energy-storage capacitor. This capacitor stores enough electrical energy to deploy the airbags for up to one second following a battery disconnect or failure during an impact. The purpose of the capacitor is to provide airbag system protection in a severe secondary impact, if the initial impact has damaged or disconnected the battery, but was not severe enough to deploy the airbags.

CLOCKSPRING
The clockspring assembly is secured with two integral plastic latches onto the steering column lock housing near the top of the steering column behind the steering wheel. The clockspring is used to maintain a continuous electrical circuit between the fixed clockspring wire harness on the steering column and several electrical components that rotate with the steering wheel. The rotating components include the driver side airbag module, the horn switch and, if the vehicle is so equipped, the vehicle speed control switches and/or the remote radio switches.

The clockspring cannot be repaired. If the clock- spring is faulty, damaged, or if the driver side airbag has been deployed, the clockspring must be replaced.

The clockspring assembly consists of a plastic case which contains a flat, ribbon-like, electrically conductive tape that winds and unwinds like a clockspring with the steering wheel rotation. The electrically conductive tape consists of several fine gauge copper wire leads sandwiched between two narrow strips of plastic film.

Like the clockspring in a timepiece, the clockspring tape has travel limits and can be damaged by being wound too tightly. To prevent this from occurring, the clockspring is centered when it is installed on the steering column. Centering the clockspring indexes the clockspring tape to other steering components so that it can operate within its designed travel limits. However, if the clockspring is removed for service or if the steering column is disconnected from the steering gear allowing the clockspring tape to change position relative to the other steering components, it must be re-centered following completion of the service or it may be damaged. Refer to Clockspring Centering in the Adjustments for the proper centering procedures.

Service replacement clocksprings are shipped precentered and with a piece of tape covering the depressed clockspring auto-locking tabs. This tape should not be removed until the clockspring has been installed on the steering column. If the tape is removed before the clockspring is installed on a steering column, the clockspring centering procedure must be performed.