Part 1

AIRBAG SYSTEM/OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROLLER SYSTEM AND OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
The Airbag System contains the following components: Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC), Airbag Warning Indicator, Clockspring, Driver and Passenger dual squib Airbags, Driver and Passenger Seat belt Tensioner (SBT), Driver and Passenger Hall-effect Seat Belt Buckle Switches (SBS), Left and Right Side Curtain Airbags, and Front and Side Impact Sensors. The ORC also monitors the Occupant Classification System (OCS) for the presence of a passenger in the front outer seat.

The Occupant Classification System contains the following components: Occupant Classification Module (OCM), Bladder and Sensor, Belt Tension Sensor, and Passenger Airbag off Indicator. The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) supports staged airbag deployment and remote impact sensing. Staged deployment is the ability to trigger airbag system squib inflators individually as needed to provide the appropriate restraint for the severity of the impact. The ORC has four major functions: PCI Bus communications, onboard diagnostics, impact sensing, and component deployment. The ORC also contains an energy-storage capacitor. This capacitor stores enough electrical energy to deploy the front airbag components for two seconds following a battery disconnect or failure during an impact. The ORC is secured to the floor panel transmission tunnel below the instrument panel inside the vehicle. The ORC cannot be repaired or adjusted. The ORC sends and/or receives PCI Bus messages with the Instrument Cluster (MIC), Body Control Module (BCM), and Powertrain Control Module (PCM). Diagnostic trouble codes will be set if the communication with these modules is lost or contains invalid information. The microprocessor in the ORC monitors the front impact sensor signals and the airbag system electrical circuits to determine the system readiness. If the ORC detects a monitored system fault, it sends a message to the instrument cluster via PCI bus to turn on the Airbag Warning Indicator. The ORC can set both active and stored diagnostic trouble codes to aid in diagnosing system problems. See DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES.

The ORC uses an internal accelerometer, two front sensors and six side impact sensors, to sense the rate of vehicle deceleration and provide verification of the direction and severity of an impact. A pre-programmed decision algorithm in the ORC microprocessor determines when the deceleration rate is severe enough to require airbag system protection. The ORC also uses the driver and passenger seat belt switch status (buckled or unbuckled) to determine the level of driver airbag deployment, low medium or high. When the programmed conditions are met, the ORC sends an electrical signal to deploy the appropriate airbag system components.

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. 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 CAN RESULT IS ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
- NEVER STRIKE OR KICK THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROLLER, AS IT CAN DAMAGE THE IMPACT SENSOR OR AFFECT ITS CALIBRATION. IF AN AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE IS ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED DURING SERVICE, THE MODULE MUST BE SCRAPPED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW UNIT. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS CAN RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

The Airbag Warning Indicator is the only point at which the customer can observe symptoms of a system malfunction. Whenever the ignition key is turned to the run or start position, the ORC performs a lamp check by turning the Airbag Warning Indicator on for 6-8 seconds. After the lamp check, if the indicator turns off, it means that the ORC has checked the system and found it to be free of discernible malfunctions. If the lamp remains on, there could be an active fault in the system or the MIC lamp circuit may be internally shorted. If the lamp comes on and stays on for a period longer than 6-8 seconds then goes off, there is usually an intermittent problem in the system.

DRIVER AIRBAG
The airbag protective trim cover is the most visible part of the driver side airbag system. 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 module is mounted directly to the steering wheel. Located under the trim cover are the horn switch, the airbag cushion, and the airbag cushion supporting components. When supplied with the proper electrical signal, the inflator or inflators discharge the gas directly into the cushion. The airbag module cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed or in any way damaged.

WARNING: THE DRIVER AIRBAG MODULE CONTAINS ARGON GAS PRESSURIZED TO OVER 17236.89 Kpa (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 TEMPERATURE EXCEEDING 93° C (200° F). REPLACE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS ONLY 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 MOPAR PARTS CATALOG. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS CAN RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

CAUTION: Deployed Front Air Bags may or may not have live pyrotechnic material within the air bag inflator. Do not dispose of Driver and Passenger Airbags unless you are sure of complete deployment. Please refer to the Hazardous Substance Control System for Proper Disposal. Dispose of deployed air bags in a manner consistent with state, provincial, local, and federal regulations. Use the following table to identify the status of the Airbag Squib.

AIRBAG SQUIB STATUS
1. Using a DRBIII(R) read Airbag DTC's. IF the following active codes are present:

Airbag Squib Status Part 1:

Airbag Squib Status Part 2:

If neither of the following codes is an active code:
ACTIVE DTC SQUIB STATUS
Driver Squib 1 open
Driver squib 2 open Status of Airbag is Unknown

CLOCKSPRING
The clockspring is mounted on the steering column under the steering wheel. This assembly consists of a plastic housing which contains a flat, ribbon-like, electrically conductive tape that winds and unwinds with the steering wheel rotation. The clockspring is used to maintain a continuous electrical circuit between the instrument panel wiring and the driver airbag, the horn, and the vehicle speed control switches if equipped. The clockspring must be properly centered when it is reinstalled on the steering column following any service procedure, or it could be damaged. The clockspring cannot be repaired and it must be replaced.

PASSENGER AIRBAG
The front passenger airbag is equipped with dual stage squib inflators. When supplied with the proper electrical signal the inflator or inflators discharge the gas directly into the cushion. The airbag module cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed or in any way damaged.

WARNING: THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MODULE CONTAINS INERT GAS PRESSURIZED TO 17236.89 Kpa (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 TEMPERATURE EXCEEDING 93° C (200° F). REPLACE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS ONLY WITH PARTS SPECIFIED IN THE 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 MOPAR PARTS CATALOG. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS CAN RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

CAUTION: Deployed Front Air Bags may or may not have live pyrotechnic material within the air bag inflator. Do not dispose of Driver and Passenger Airbags unless you are sure of complete deployment. Please refer to the Hazardous Substance Control System for Proper Disposal. Dispose of deployed air bags in a manner consistent with state, provincial, local, and federal regulations. Use the following table to identify the status of the Airbag Squib.

AIRBAG SQUIB STATUS
1. Using a DRBIII(R) read Airbag DTC's. IF the following active codes are present:

Airbag Squib Status Part 1:

Airbag Squib Status Part 2:

If neither of the following codes is an active code:
ACTIVE DTC SQUIB STATUS
Passenger Squib 1 open
Passenger squib 2 open Status of Airbag is Unknown

SEAT BELT TENSIONER (SBT)
The driver and passenger seat belt (buckle) tensioners are mounted to the inboard side of the front seats. The seat belt buckle and seat belt switch are connected directly to the seat belt tensioner cable. At the onset of an impact event the ORC uses the seat belt tensioner to rapidly retract the seat belt buckles. With the slack removed, the occupant s forward motion in an impact will be reduced as will the likelihood of contacting interior components. The seat belt tensioner cannot be repaired, if damaged or defective it must be replaced. The ORC continuously monitors the resistance of the seat belt tensioner circuits for open and shorted conditions.

SEAT BELT SWITCHES (SBS)
The hall-effect driver and passenger seat belt switches provide the seat belt status, buckled or unbuckled, via hardwired inputs to the ORC. If the seat belt switch is damaged or defective the seat belt tensioner must be replaced. The ORC continuously monitors the seat belt switch circuits for open and shorted conditions.

DRIVER KNEE BLOCKER AIRBAG
The most visible part of the Driver Knee Blocker Airbag is the knee blocker trim cover. The knee blocker trim cover and airbag are mounted directly to the instrument panel structure below the steering column. When supplied with the proper electrical signal, the inflator discharges the gas directly into the airbag. The airbag cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed or in any way damaged.

WARNING:
- DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MODIFY ANY PART OF YOUR ADVANCED AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE AIRBAG MAY INFLATE ACCIDENTALLY OR MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IF MODIFICATIONS ARE MADE. TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ANY ADVANCED AIRBAG SYSTEM SERVICE. IF YOUR E SEAT INCLUDING YOUR TRIM COVER AND CUSHION NEEDS TO BE SERVICED IN ANY WAY (INCLUDING REMOVAL OR LOOSENING/TIGHTENING OF SEAT ATTACHMENT BOLTS), TAKE THE VEHICLE TO YOUR AUTHORIZED DEALER. ONLY MANUFACTURER APPROVED SEAT ACCESSORIES MAY BE USED. CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED DEALER IF IT IS NECESSARY TO MODIFY AN ADVANCED AIRBAG SYSTEM FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
- NEVER STRIKE OR KICK THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE, AS IT CAN DAMAGE THE IMPACT SENSOR OR AFFECT ITS CALIBRATION. IF AN AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE IS ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED DURING SERVICE, THE MODULE MUST BE SCRAPPED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW UNIT. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

FRONT AND SIDE IMPACT SENSOR
The front and side impact sensors are electronic accelerometers that sense the rate of vehicle deceleration, and combined with the ORC Accelerometer Sensor provides verification of the direction and severity of an impact. Each sensor also contains an electronic communication chip that allows the unit to communicate the sensor status as well as sensor fault information to the microprocessor in the Occupant Restraint Controller. The ORC microprocessor continuously monitors all of the front and side passive restraint system electrical circuits to determine the system readiness. If the ORC detects a system fault, it sets a Diagnostic Trouble Code and controls the airbag indicator operation accordingly. The impact sensors each receive battery current and ground through dedicated left and right sensor signal and ground circuits from the ORC. The impact sensors and the ORC communicate by modulating the voltage in the sensor signal circuit. If the sensor is dropped it must be replaced.

CAUTION: Do not remove or install the impact sensors while the sensor is connected to the vehicle wiring.