Safing Sensor: Description and Operation

WARNING: Do not attempt to diagnose or troubleshoot air bag circuitry without reading precautions. Improper troubleshooting could cause the air bags to fire inadvertently, causing injury.

DESCRIPTION
The sensor assembly is an electrical switch which reacts to impacts according to direction and force. It discriminates between impacts that require air bag inflation and impacts that do not require air bag inflation. When an impact occurs that requires air bag inflation the sensor contacts close, completing the electrical circuit. The system then operates.

Three crash sensors, one safing, one forward, must be activated to inflate the air bag.

Crash sensors automatically "reset" after a collision and do not need to be replaced unless they are physically damaged. Replace only if proper alignment is not possible due to bent brackets, cut wires, etc.