Air Bag Deactivation Switch: Service Precautions
WARNING- ALWAYS CHECK THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ON-OFF SWITCH POSITION BEFORE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. A SWITCH IN THE WRONG POSITION INCREASES THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN A COLLISION.
- IGNORING THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IN YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL COULD MEAN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ON-OFF SWITCH IS NOT FUNCTIONAL AND THE AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY IF AN IMPACT OCCURS. IF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON WHILE DRIVING, THE AIRBAG ON-OFF SWITCH SETTING WILL REMAIN FUNCTIONAL FOR THAT KEY CYCLE. IF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN AT THE NEXT KEY ON AND STAYS LIT FOR MORE THAN 6-8 SECONDS, THE ACM WILL DEFAULT TO PASSENGER AIRBAG ON.
- DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.