Repairs and Inspections Required After A Collision (SIR System)

Repair Instructions

Repairs and Inspections Required After a Collision (SIR System)

Accident With or Without Inflator Module Deployment - Component Inspections

CAUTION:
- Proper operation of the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) sensing system requires that any repairs to the vehicle structure return the vehicle structure to the original production configuration. Not properly repairing the vehicle structure could cause non-deployment of the air bag(s) in a frontal collision or deployment of the air bag(s) for conditions less severe than intended.
- Proper operation of the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) sensing system requires that any repairs to the vehicle structure return the vehicle structure to the original production configuration. Not properly repairing the vehicle structure could cause non-deployment of the side impact air bag(s) in a side impact collision or deployment of the side impact air bag(s) for conditions less severe than intended.

- The steering column -Perform the steering column accident damage checking procedures.
- The I/P knee bolsters and mounting points
- Inspect the knee bolsters for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage.
- The I/P brackets, braces, etc.- Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage.
- The seat belts - Perform the seat belt operational and functional checks.
- The I/P cross car beam - Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage.
- The I/P mounting points and brackets - Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage.
- The seats and seat mounting points - Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage.

Accident With Frontal Air Bag Deployment - Component Replacement and Inspections

After a collision involving air bag deployment, replace
the following components.
- Inflatable restraint I/P module
- Inflatable restraint steering wheel module
- Inflatable restraint steering wheel module coil
- Inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM)
- Inflatable restraint electronic frontal sensor (EFS)

Perform additional inspections on the following
components.
- Steering wheel module coil and the coil wiring pigtail - Inspect for melting, scorching, or other damage due to excessive heat.
- Mounting points or mounting hardware for the I/P module, steering wheel module, SDM, and EFS sensor - Inspect for any damage and repair or replace each component as needed.

Sensor Replacement Guidelines

The SIR/side air bag sensor replacement policy requires replacing sensors in the area of accident damage. The area of accident damage is defined as the portion of the vehicle which is crushed, bent, or damaged due to a collision. An example of this would be a moderate collision where the front of the vehicle impacts a tree, if the vehicle has an SIR sensor mounted forward of the radiator, replace
the SIR sensor.
- Replace the sensor whether or not the air bags have deployed.
- Replace the sensor even if the sensor appears to be undamaged.

Sensor damage which is not visible, such as slight bending of the mounting bracket or cuts in the wire insulation, can cause improper operation of the SIR/side air bag sensing system. Do not try to determine whether the sensor is undamaged. Replace the sensor. Also, if you follow a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) table and a malfunctioning sensor is indicated, replace the sensor.

Repairs and Inspections Required After a Collision (Seat Belts)

CAUTION: Restraint systems can be damaged in a collision. To help avoid injury and ensure that all parts in need of replacement are replaced:

- Replace any seat belt system that was in use during the collision serious enough to deploy any automatic restraint device such as air bags and seat belt pretensioners. This not only includes seat belt systems in use by people of adult size, but seat belt systems used to secure child restraints, infant carriers and booster seats, including LATCH system and top tether anchorages.
- Replace any seat belt system that has torn, worn, or damaged components. This not only includes adult seat belt systems, but built-in child restraints and LATCH system components, if any.
- Replace any seat belt system if you observe the words "REPLACE" or "CAUTION", or if a yellow tag is visible. Do not replace a seat belt if only the child seat caution label is visible.
- Replace any seat belt system if you are doubtful about its condition. This not only includes adult seat belt systems, but built-in child restraints, LATCH system components, and any restraint system used to secure infant carriers, child restraints, and booster seats.

Do NOT replace single seat belt system components in vehicles that have been in a collision as described above. Always replace the entire seat belt system with the buckle, guide and retractor assembly, which includes the latch and webbing material.

After a minor collision where no automatic restraint device was deployed, seat belt system replacement may not be necessary, unless some of the parts are torn, worn, or damaged.