Passenger Air Bag - Description

DESCRIPTION





The horizontal surface of the instrument panel top pad (1) above the glove box is the most visible part of the passenger airbag. The passenger airbag door is integral to the top of the instrument panel top pad above the glove box opening (2) on the instrument panel in front of the front seat passenger seating position.





Located below the passenger airbag door area of the instrument panel top pad, the molded thermoplastic passenger airbag retainer is secured to the underside of the top pad. The retainer defines the airbag door breakout area of the top pad and serves as the receptacle for the passenger airbag cushion and housing. Numerous small window openings on the forward and rearward flanges of the receptacle receive mating hook formations stamped into the airbag housing, which locate and secure the housing to the top pad.





The passenger airbag unit (1) is also secured by two screws through a stamped mounting bracket (3) to the instrument panel structural support. The passenger airbag unit used in this vehicle is a multistage type that complies with revised federal airbag standards to deploy with less force than those used in some prior vehicles. The passenger airbag unit consists of a stamped and welded metal housing, the airbag cushion, and the airbag inflator (5). The airbag housing contains the airbag inflator and the folded airbag cushion. An approximately 80 centimeter (31.5 inch) wide by 90 centimeter (35.5 inch) high rectangular fabric cushion is used.

The airbag inflator (5) is a non-azide, pyrotechnic-type unit that is secured to and sealed within the airbag housing. A short four-wire pigtail harness with a keyed, yellow connector insulator (4) connects the two inflator initiators (2) to the vehicle electrical system through a dedicated take out and connector of the instrument panel wire harness.

The passenger airbag cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed, ineffective, or in any way damaged. The passenger airbag door and retainer are serviced only as a unit with the instrument panel top pad. If the passenger airbag is deployed, the instrument panel top pad must also be replaced.