Features and Functions

Air Bag System Functions
The air bag diagnostic monitor illuminates the air bag indicator for approximately 6 seconds when the ignition switch is turned to the RUN position and then turns the air bag indicator off. This indicates that the air bag indicator is operational. If the air bag indicator does not illuminate at all, stays on continuously or flashes at any time, then a fault has been detected by the air bag diagnostic monitor.

Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), if present, will cause the AIR BAG indicator to begin flashing within 30 seconds after the ignition switch has been turned to the RUN position. This is the amount of time it takes the air bag diagnostic monitor to perform all tests and verify system faults, if present.

DTC's are retrieved using the Rotunda New Generation Star (NGS) Tester

The air bag diagnostic monitor incorporates Nonvolatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM) to store DTC and retain them indefinitely. DTC's may be cleared from the air bag diagnostic monitor after the fault conditions are serviced.

If a system fault exists and the air bag indicator is not functioning, an audible tone will be heard indicating a need for service. The tone is a series of five sets of five beeps. This does not indicate a DTC. The AIR BAG indicator must be serviced before DTC's can be determined.

WARNING: UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SUBSTITUTE ANOTHER FUSE VALUE FOR THE 1OA BATTERY FUSE. ANY FUSE OTHER THAN 1OA MAY CAUSE DISARMING FAILURE AND MAY RESULT IN DANGER TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPLACE THE 1OA BATTERY FUSE UNTIL THE AIR BAG SYSTEM FIRST HAS BEEN DEACTIVATED

If a fault exists that makes unwanted air bag deployment possible, the air bag diagnostic monitor will attempt to remove deployment power by turning on a solid state switch to blow the 1OA battery fuse.

If the 1OA battery fuse has successfully been blown by the air bag diagnostic monitor, the air bag diagnostic monitor will not attempt to blow it again until the proper fault has been serviced and cleared. The air bag diagnostic monitor will store both the DTC that caused it to blow the 1OA battery fuse and the loss of deployment power DTC's. The loss of deployment power DTC is the highest priority.






WARNING: THE BACKUP POWER SUPPLY ENERGY MUST BE DEPLETED BEFORE ANY AIR BAG COMPONENT SERVICE IS PERFORMED. TO DEPLETE THE BACKUP POWER SUPPLY ENERGY, DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE AND WAIT ONE MINUTE TO AVOID ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

The air bag diagnostic monitor includes an internal backup power supply. This feature provides sufficient backup power to deploy the air bags in the event that the battery or battery cables are damaged in a collision before the crash sensors are activated. The backup power supply will deplete its stored energy approximately one minute after the negative battery cable is disconnected.

The air bag diagnostic monitor incorporates an internal safing sensor. Proper mounting of the air bag diagnostic monitor and bracket assembly is critical to the function and performance of the air bag system.

The air bag diagnostic monitor and bracket assembly is non-serviceable and must be replaced as a unit in the event of failure.