Steering Wheel Module

Tool Required:
J 38826 SIR Deployment Harness

Deploy the inflator module(s) outside of the vehicle when you intend to return the vehicle to service. Situations that require deploying the inflator module outside the vehicle include the following:
^ Using the SIR Diagnostics, you determine the inflator module does riot function correctly.
^ The inflator module is cosmetically damaged such as a scratch or rip in the cover.
^ The inflator module pigtail (if equipped) is damaged.
^ The inflator module connector is damaged.
^ An inflator module connector terminal is damaged.

Deployment and disposal of a malfunctioning inflator module is subject to any required retention period.

You must follow these inflator module deployment procedures exactly. Always wear safety glasses during this deployment procedure. Do not remove your safety glasses until the deployed inflator module is scrapped or shipped Before performing the deployment procedures you should be familiar with servicing the SIR system and with proper handling of the inflator module. Procedures should be read fully before they are per- formed. The following procedures requires the use of:
^ J 38825 SIR deployment harness
^ The appropriate pigtail adapter
Do not attempt the procedure without J 38826 SIR deployment harness and the adapter.

CAUTION: When you are deploying an inflator module for disposal, perform the deployment procedures in the order listed:
^ Wear safety glasses throughout the procedures.
^ Clear a space on the ground about 1.85 meters (six feet) in diameter where the inflator module will be deployed.
^ Make sure the area around the inflator module is clear of all people and loose or flammable objects.
^ Short the deployment harness wires as instructed.
^ Connect the deployment harness to the inflator module before you connect it to the power source.
^ Connect the deployment harness to the power source to immediately deploy the air bag.
Failure to follow the procedures in the order listed may result in personal injury.

Figure 17:

Figure 16:

Important
This information applies only to inflatable restraint steering wheel modules. Refer to Deployment Outside Vehicle (Inflatable Restraint I/P Module) for information on inflatable restraint I/P module scrapping.

1. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
2. Remove the key.
3. Put on safety glasses.
4. Inspect J 38826 SIR Deployment Harness and appropriate pigtail adapter for damage.
^ If damage occurs to the SIR deployment harness or the pigtail adapter, then obtain a replacement.
5. Short the two SIR deployment harness leads together by fully seating one banana plug into the other
^ Keep the SIR deployment harness shorted until the air bag is to be deployed.
^ Do not connect the SIR deployment harness to a power source until the air bag is to be deployed.
6. Connect the appropriate pigtail adapter to the SIR deployment harness.
7. Remove the inflatable restraint steering wheel module from the vehicle.
8. Remove the horn lead from the back of the inflatable restraint steering wheel module, if applicable.
9. Remove the redundant steering wheel control lead(s) from the back of the inflatable restraint steering wheel module, if applicable.
10. Remove all horn buttons and steering wheel control buttons from the inflatable restraint steering wheel module, if applicable.

Figure 18:

Figure 19:

CAUTION: When you are carrying an undeployed inflator module:
^ Do not carry the inflator module by the wires or connector on the inflator module.
^ Make sure the bag opening points away from you.
When you are storing an undeployed inflator module, make sure the bag opening points away from the surface on which the inflator module rests. When you are storing a steering column, do not rest the column with the bag opening facing down and the column vertical. Provide free space for the air bag to expand in case of an accidental deployment. Otherwise, personal injury may result.

11. Place the inflatable restraint steering wheel module with its vinyl trim cover facing up and away from the surface on a work bench or another surface.
12. Place the inflatable restraint steering wheel module away from all loose or flammable objects.
13. Clear a space on the ground about 1.85 m (6 ft.) in diameter where you intend to deploy the inflatable restraint steering wheel module. If possible, use a paved, outdoor location free of activity. Otherwise, use a space free of activity on the shop floor. Make sure you have sufficient ventilation.
14. Make sure no loose or flammable objects are within the deployment area.
15. Place the inflatable restraint steering wheel module in the space just cleared, with its vinyl trim cover facing up.
16. Extend the SIR deployment harness and the pigtail adapter to full length from the inflatable restraint steering wheel module.
17. Place a power source near the shorted end of the SIR deployment harness. Use a vehicle battery when available, but always use a power source that complies to the following:
^ 12 volts minimum
^ 2 amps minimum

Important

^ Firmly seat the pigtail adapter into the inflatable restraint steering wheel module connector Failure to fully seat the connectors may result in nondeployment of the inflator module.

Figure 20:

18. Connect the inflatable restraint steering wheel module to the pigtail adapter on the SIR deployment harness.
^ The deployment harness shall remain shorted until you are ready to deploy the air bag.

Figure 21:

^ Do not connect the SIR deployment harness to a power source until you are ready to deploy the air bag.
^ The inflator module will immediately deploy when you connect the power source.
19. Clear the area of all people and loose or flammable objects.
20. Make sure that you place the inflatable restraint steering wheel module with its vinyl trim cover facing up.
21. Notify all people in the immediate area before you deploy the inflatable restraint steering wheel module.
^ An inflatable restraint steering wheel module deployment is very loud.
^ The deployment may startle any uninformed people in the area.
22. Separate the two banana plugs on the SIR deployment harness.

CAUTION: When you are deploying an inflator module for disposal, perform the deployment procedures in the order listed:
^ Wear safety glasses throughout the procedures.
^ Make sure the area around the inflator module is clear of all people and loose or flammable objects.
^ Short the deployment harness wires as instructed.
^ Connect the deployment harness to the inflator module before you connect it to the power source.
^ Connect the deployment harness to the power source to Immediately deploy the air bag.
Failure to follow the procedures in the order listed may result in personal injury.

NOTICE: When the air bag deploys, the inflatable restraint steering wheel module may jump about 30 cm (one foot) vertically. This is a normal reaction of the inflatable restraint steering wheel module to the force of the rapid gas expansion inside the air bag.

NOTICE: The rapid gas expansion involved with deploying an air bag is very loud. Notify all people in the immediate area that you in tend to deploy the inflatable restraint steering wheel module.

23. Connect the SIR deployment harness wires to the power source. This immediately deploys the inflatable restraint steering wheel module (Figure 22).
24. Use a vehicle battery when available, but always use a power source that complies to the following:
^ 12 volts minimum
^ 2 amps minimum
25. Disconnect the SIR deployment harness from the power source.
26. Short the SIR deployment harness leads together by fully seating one banana plug into the other (Figure 16).
27. In the unlikely event that the inflatable restraint steering wheel module did not deploy after following these procedures, proceed immediately with Steps 33 through 36. If the inflatable restraint steering wheel module did deploy, proceed with Steps 28 through 32.
28. Put on a pair of shop gloves to protect your hands from possible heat and irritation when handling the deployed inflatable restraint steering wheel module (Figure 23).

After the inflatable restraint steering wheel module has deployed, the surface of the air bag may contain a powdery residue. This powder consists primarily of cornstarch (used to lubricate the bag as it inflates), and by-products of the chemical reaction. The deployment reaction produces sodium hydroxide dust (similar to lye soap). The sodium hydroxide quickly reacts with the atmospheric moisture. This atmospheric moisture converts the sodium hydroxide into sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Therefore, you will probably find no sodium hydroxide present after the deployment. Gloves and safety glasses are recommended, however, as a precaution. Gloves and safety glasses help to prevent possible irritation of the skin or eyes.

Figure 22:

Figure 23:

CAUTION: Immediately following the deployment of an air bag, the metal surfaces of the inflator module are very hot. Do not place the deployed inflator module near any flammable objects. Wait for about ten minutes before touching any metal surface of the inflator module. Disregarding these precautions may cause fire or personal injury.

The metal canister and the area surrounding the inflatable restraint steering wheel module are very hot. Do not touch the metal areas of the inflatable restraint steering wheel module for about ten minutes after deployment. If you must move the deployed inflatable restraint steering wheel module, use caution. Always wear gloves and handle the inflatable restraint steering wheel module by the air bag or the vinyl trim (Figure 23).

29. Disconnect the pigtail adapter from the inflatable restraint steering wheel module as soon after the deployment as possible. This will prevent the hot inflatable restraint steering wheel module canister from damaging the pigtail adapter, or the SIR deployment harness. The pigtail adapter and the SIR deployment harness are reusable.
30. Inspect the pigtail adapter and the SIR deployment harness for damage after each use. Replace the pigtail adapter, or the SIR deployment harness, as necessary.
31. Allow the deployed inflatable restraint steering wheel module to cool for at least 10 minutes. Dispose of the deployed inflatable restraint steering wheel module through the normal refuse channels.
32. Wash your hands with a mild soap and water.

NOTICE: The remaining steps are to be folio wed in the unlikely event that the inflatable restraint steering wheel module did not deploy after following these procedures.

33. Make sure that you disconnect the SIR deployment harness from the power source. Make sure that you have shorted the two banana plugs together.(Figure 21).
34. Disconnect the pigtail adapter from the inflatable restraint steering wheel module.

CAUTION: When you are carrying an undeployed inflator module:
^ Do not carry the inflator module by the wires or connector on the inflator module.
^ Make sure the bag opening points away from you.
When you are storing an undeployed inflator module, make sure the bag opening points away from the surface on which the inflator module rests. When you are storing a steering column, do not rest the column with the bag opening facing down and the column vertical. Provide free space for the air bag to expand in case of an accidental deployment. Otherwise, personal injury may result.

35. Temporarily store the inflatable restraint steering wheel module with its vinyl trim cover facing up.
36. Call the Technical Assistance group for further assistance.