Air Bag Systems: Service Precautions

SERVICE WARNINGS

Personal Safety
Failure to follow all warnings, cautions, notices and procedures could result in personal injury or death.

Power Supply Deactivation
The Air Bag Diagnostic Unit contains a backup power supply. Before disconnecting air bag-SRS components, turn the ignition switch to LOCK, disconnect the battery (negative terminal first), and wait 10 minutes for the backup power supply to discharge. To ensure complete discharge, turn the headlights on.

Failure to follow this procedure could cause the air bag modules to deploy during service procedures, which may cause serious injury.

Safety Equipment
- Always wear safety glasses when handling air bag modules.
- Always wear rubber gloves when handling deployed or damaged air bag modules.

The air bag surface may be contaminated with small amounts of sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Prevent contact of air bag module with liquids, combustibles, and flammable materials. Immediately wash contaminated hands and skin areas with mild soap and water. Flush eyes with water if exposed to byproducts. Failure to follow these instructions could result in chemical burns and personal injury.

Wiring and Electrical Components
Never service wiring or electrical components when any air bag is connected. When a procedure directs the use of a multimeter to probe the pins of a connector, insert the probes into the back of the connector where possible. If you must probe the front face (terminal side), be certain to use a probe whose tip will not damage the terminals when it is inserted.

Component Disassembly
Do not disassemble any air bag-SRS components. Disassembly can render the system inoperative, which may result in serious injury or death in the event of an accident. Never attempt to disassemble or repair the air bag modules.

Any attempt to adapt, re-use, or install an air bag module or its components in another vehicle may result in serious injury or death to the vehicle occupants in the event of an accident.

Air Bag Diagnostic Unit (ADU)
Do not connect the ADU connector unless the ADU is securely installed. The shock of installation or pinching the wiring harness between the module and its mounting points can cause the air bags to deploy, which may cause serious injury.

Air Bag Module Inspection
Do not probe or inspect the air bag modules or any of their connectors with an ohmmeter. Inspecting the air bag module with an ohmmeter, which supplies current, can cause the air bags to deploy, which may result in serious injury.

Air Bag Module Connector
Do not cut or otherwise remove the air bag module connector. The connector contains a safety shunt which, if disabled, could cause an unintended deployment. This may cause severe personal injury or death.

Air Bag Module Handling
A live (undeployed) air bag module may accidentally deploy during handling. When carrying a live air bag module, point the plastic trim cover away from your body to lessen the chance of injury in case of accidental deployment. Never carry the module by its wiring or connectors.

Securing Air Bag Modules
Always place live air bag modules face up (plastic trim side up) to lessen motion of the module in case of accidental deployment. Keep the area clear of parts, tools and other debris. Never place items on or above the trim cover of a live air bag module. In case of accidental deployment, such items may cause serious injury or death.

Live Air Bag Module Storage
Live air bag modules contain solid flammable material. Store in a cool, dry secure area. Do not expose them to open flame or temperatures in excess of 300 deg F Do not cut, drill, braze, solder or weld an air bag module or any of its components. Never expose the module or any of its components to electricity. Failure to comply with this warning can lessen the integrity of the module, causing fires, chemical exposure, or unintended deployment, which may cause serious injury or death.

Damaged Live Air Bag Module Storage
Damaged live air bag modules should be stored away from all acids, halogens, heavy metals and metal salts. Damaged units may produce hydrozoic acid if exposed to liquids. If an undeployed air bag module or inflator is ruptured or tampered with, refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the particular module for important information concerning the constituents of undeployed modules. Exposure to high concentrations of propellant mixture can cause headaches, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, cyanosis, lowering of blood pressure or tachycardia. Failure to comply with this warning can result in fire, noxious fumes, severe personal injury or death.

Out-of-Vehicle Deployment
Out-of-vehicle deployment should be performed in an open area, away from other personnel. Verify that there is no loose debris or flammable liquid near the air bag assembly. All personnel should be behind protective cover (i.e., wall, vehicle) to shield their bodies from potential projectiles. Do not attempt to deploy a ruptured air bag module. Failure to comply with this warning may result in severe injury or death. Refer to Air Bag Deployment and Disposal.

Danger of Fire
Air bag module components are very hot after deployment. Units should be deployed outdoors or in open areas to prevent fires. Allow components at least twenty minutes to thoroughly cool. Cooling modules should be continuously monitored to ensure hot components do not create fires with spilled liquids or other debris. Failure to allow the unit to cool could result in burns, fires or personal injury.

Storage/Transportation/Disposal/Recycling
Storage, transportation, disposal and recycling of air bag module and components must be performed in accordance with a I applicable federal, state, and local regulations including, but not limited to, those governing fire codes, EPA, OSHA and DOT regulations.

Impact Bracket
The impact bracket must be replaced when the front bumper has been damaged. (Impact at approx. 2.5 - 8 MPH). Refer to Bumper.

WARNING
IF THE IMPACT BRACKET IS NOT REPLACED, THE AIR BAG COULD BE DEPLOYED AT LESS THAN 8 MPH.