Part 3

Fig. 10 Driver Airbag:

Fig.11 Horn Switch:

DRIVER AIRBAG
The driver airbag protective trim cover is the most visible part of the driver airbag. The airbag used in this model is a Next Generation-type that complies with revised federal airbag standards to deploy with less force than those used in some prior models. The driver airbag is located in the center of the steering wheel, where it is secured with two screws to the steering wheel armature. Concealed beneath the driver airbag trim cover are the horn switch, the folded airbag cushion, the airbag retainer or housing, the airbag inflator, and the retainers that secure the inflator to the airbag housing. The resistive membrane-type horn switch is secured within a plastic tray that is inserted in a pocket or pouch sewn onto the airbag cushion retainer strap, between the trim cover and the folded airbag cushion. The airbag inflator is a conventional non-azide, pyrotechnic-type unit with four studs and it is secured to the stamped metal airbag housing with four nuts.

The trim cover has an airbag receptacle molded into the back side of it. The four vertical walls of this receptacle have a total of twelve small windows with blocking tabs that are engaged by twelve hook formations around the perimeter of the airbag housing. Each hook is inserted through one of the windows, the integral blocking tab in each window keeps each hook properly engaged with the trim cover, locking the cover securely into place. One horn switch pigtail wire has an eyelet terminal connector that is captured beneath a nut and washer on the upper right inflator mounting stud. The other horn switch pigtail wire is routed between the upper left inflator mounting stud and the inflator, where it is captured by a small plastic retainer that is pushed onto the stud. The driver airbag cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed or in any way damaged. The driver airbag trim cover and the horn switch with tray are available, and may be disassembled from the driver airbag for service replacement.

The driver airbag is deployed by an electrical signal generated by the Airbag Control Module (ACM) through the driver airbag line 1 and line 2 (or squib) circuits. When the ACM sends the proper electrical signal to the airbag inflator, the electrical energy generates enough heat to initiate a small pyrotechnic charge which, in turn, ignites chemical pellets within the inflator. Once ignited, these chemical pellets burn rapidly and produce a large quantity of nitrogen gas. The inflator is sealed to the back of the airbag housing and a diffuser in the inflator directs all of the nitrogen gas into the airbag cushion, causing the cushion to inflate. As the cushion inflates, the driver airbag trim cover will split at predetermined breakout lines, then fold back out of the way along with the horn switch and tray unit. Following an airbag deployment, the airbag cushion quickly deflates by venting the nitrogen gas towards the instrument panel through the porous fabric material used on the steering wheel side of the airbag cushion.

Some of the chemicals used to create the nitrogen gas may be considered hazardous in their solid state, before they are burned, but they are securely sealed within the airbag inflator. However, the nitrogen gas that is produced when the chemicals are burned is harmless. A small amount of residue from the burned chemicals may cause some temporary discomfort if it contacts the skin, eyes, or breathing passages. If skin or eye irritation is noticed, rinse the affected area with plenty of cool, clean water. If breathing passages are irritated, move to another area where there is plenty of clean, fresh air to breath. If the irritation is not alleviated by these actions, contact a physician.

Passenger Side Airbag Door Remove/Install:

PASSENGER AIRBAG
The rearward facing surface of the passenger airbag door above the glove box is the most visible part of the passenger airbag. The airbag used in this model is a Next Generation-type that complies with revised federal airbag standards to deploy with less force than those used in some prior models. The passenger airbag is located in the instrument panel in front of the front seat passenger seating position, where it is secured to the instrument panel. Concealed beneath the passenger airbag door are the folded airbag cushion, the airbag retainer or housing, and the airbag inflator. The airbag inflator is a hybrid-type unit that is secured to and sealed within the airbag housing along with the folded airbag cushion. The airbag housing is constructed of a long U-shaped aluminum extrusion with two stamped steel end plates. A stepped flange that extends from the bottom of the extrusion serves as the rear mounting bracket, while a flange that extends forward from the back of the extrusion serves as the front mounting bracket. The front bracket is secured with screws to the instrument panel structural support above the glove box opening, while the rear bracket is secured with screws to the upper glove box opening reinforcement. A yellow connector on the end of a short, two- wire pigtail harness connects the passenger airbag inflator to the vehicle electrical system.

The molded plastic passenger airbag door has a predetermined horizontal breakout line near its center which is concealed beneath its decorative outer surface. Return flanges near the top and bottom of the airbag door feature beads that are engaged in channel formations at the top and bottom of the air-bag housing. A mounting flange extends downward to meet the rear mounting bracket from the bottom of the airbag door and is secured with screws to the upper glove box opening reinforcement. Five molded snap features along the top of the airbag door above the upper return flange snap into receptacles located in the instrument panel base trim. Following a passenger airbag deployment, the passenger airbag and airbag door unit must be replaced. The passenger airbag cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if faulty or in any way damaged. The passenger airbag door can be disassembled from the airbag housing for separate service replacement.

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 airbag is deployed by an electrical signal generated by the Airbag Control Module (ACM) through the passenger airbag line 1 and line 2 (or squib) circuits. The hybrid-type inflator assembly includes a small canister of highly compressed argon gas. When the ACM sends the proper electrical signal to the airbag inflator, the electrical energy generates enough heat to ignite chemical pellets within the inflator. Once ignited, these chemical pellets burn rapidly and produce the pressure necessary to rupture a containment disk in the argon gas canister. The inflator and argon gas canister are sealed to the airbag cushion so that all of the released argon gas is directed into the airbag cushion, causing the cushion to inflate. As the cushion inflates, the passenger airbag door will split at the breakout line and the two halves of the door will pivot out of the way. Following an airbag deployment, the airbag cushion quickly deflates by venting the argon gas through vents on the instrument panel side of the airbag cushion.

Some of the chemicals used to create the pressure to burst the argon gas containment disk are considered hazardous in their solid state, before they are burned, but they are securely sealed within the airbag inflator. However, the gas that is produced when the chemicals are burned is harmless. A small amount of residue from the burned chemicals may cause some temporary discomfort if it contacts the skin, eyes, or breathing passages. If skin or eye irritation is noticed, rinse the affected area with plenty of cool, clean water. If breathing passages are irritated, move to another area where there is plenty of clean, fresh air to breath. If the irritation is not alleviated by these actions, contact a physician immediately.