Air Bag Disposal Procedures

Several situations may arise when some form of disposal action must be undertaken; scrapping a vehicle containing a deployed air bag, scrapping a vehicle with a live air bag, disposal of a live but electrically inoperative air bag module, and scrapping a deployed module. These situations and the disposal recommendations are shown in the following chart and discussed in detail below.

AIR BAG DISPOSAL RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Vehicle to be Scrapped: Live Air Bags.
- Electrically Deploy Using Procedures 1 or 2 as Required.

2. Vehicle to be Scrapped; Deployed Air Bags.
- Scrap Vehicle in the Usual Manner.

3. Module Replaced: Damaged but Live Air Bags.
- Package and Label Property. Return to Ford.

4. Module Replaced: Deployed Air Bags.
- Scrap Air Bags in the Usual Manner.





Deployed Air Bags
To service a vehicle in which the air bags have deployed, the deployed driver air bags must be replaced with all new air bags. The deployed air bags can be disposed of in the same manner as any part to be scrapped.

Undeployed Air Bag-Faulty
In the event that a driver air bag is diagnosed as faulty (refer to Diagnostic Procedures), the faulty air bags must be replaced by new air bags. The faulty air bag CANNOT BE DISPOSED OF IN THE USUAL MANNER, and must be returned to Ford Motor Company for proper disposal.

Air bags must be packaged and shipped according to the U.S. Department of Transportation regulations. Retain packaging used for replacement air bags, including the labeling. Return air bags according to the instructions provided with replacement air bags.





Scrapped Vehicle
Some vehicles may be damaged or inoperable to the point that service cannot be made, but still contain undeployed air bags. This condition could occur by side or rear impact, or rollover, or if the vehicle is simply past its useful lifetime. THE AIR BAGS SHOULD BE DEPLOYED PRIOR TO VEHICLE SCRAPPAGE, PER PROCEDURES 1 OR 2 BELOW.

Driver Air Bag Disposal Procedure 1 - Electronic Deployment with Intact Wiring
This procedure is to be used in the event that a vehicle with a live air bag is to be scrapped. Scrappage may be required due to severe damage in a non-air bag deployable accident, or at the end of the vehicle's useful life. This procedure assumes that the air bag wiring remains intact; that is, no fault codes are indicated by the readiness indicator, that the system proves out correctly, and that the vehicle's battery is still in place (or one has been provided). This procedure is to be performed outdoors away from other personnel, since the deploying air bags make a loud report upon actuation.
1. Check and clear the front seat of all loose objects.
2. Do not permit any occupants to remain inside the vehicle.
3. Open the hood and check for an operational vehicle battery. If no battery is found, supply one and connect it in the usual manner.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position and observe the air bag readiness indicator. If the lamp illuminates for four to eight seconds and then stops, the system is intact and may be deployed. Continue with Procedure 1. If a series of fault codes appears, go to Procedure 2 to deploy the unit.
5. Locate the center air bag sensor at the top center of the radiator support, behind the hood lock brace sight shield. Locate the connector on the wiring from the sensor.





6. Pull the submersible connector apart and examine the wiring harness end of the connector (not the sensor end). Identify circuits 619 PK/W, 620 P/LB, 611 W/O and 614 GY/O.
7. Using a 152 mm (6 inch) length of bared wire, short the 619 PK/W wire to ground. Again, making sure there are no occupants in the vehicle, short the 611 W/O and 614 GY/O circuits together with a second bared wire. The air bags should deploy. If the air bags do not deploy, go to Procedure 2.
8. If successful, a loud report will be heard and the bag material will be visible in the center of the steering wheel and above the glove compartment. Allow at least 10 minutes before approaching the air bag to allow for cooling and dissipation of the effluents.

The driver air bags are now inoperative and the vehicle may be scrapped in the usual manner.

Procedure 2 - Remote Deployment of Air Bags
This procedure is to be used in the event that a vehicle with live air bags is to be scrapped, but the vehicle does not contain an intact wiring harness or certain system components are inoperative. This procedure can also be used if Step 7 of Procedure 1 was unsuccessful.

WARNING: REMOTE DEPLOYMENT IS TO BE PERFORMED OUTDOORS WITH ALL PERSONNEL AT LEAST 20 FEET AWAY TO ENSURE PERSONNEL SAFETY AND DUE TO THE LOUD REPORT WHICH OCCURS WHEN DRIVER AIR BAGS ARE DEPLOYED.

1. Remove the driver and passenger air bags from the vehicle.
2. Cut the two module connector wires and strip 25 mm (1 inch) of insulation from the ends. Obtain two wires at least 20 feet long. Connect one end of each wire to each of the air bag module wires.
3. Place the air bag with the trim cover facing upward on a flat surface in a remote area such as a parking lot or field.

WARNING: DO NOT PLACE THE AIR BAG WITH THE TRIM COVER FACING DOWN, AS THE FORCES OF THE DEPLOYING AIR BAG MAY CAUSE IT TO RICOCHET AND CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.

4. Remaining at least 20 feet away from the air bag, deploy it by touching the other ends of the two wires to the terminals of a 12 volt vehicle battery.
5. If successful, a loud report will be heard and the air bag material will be visible. Allow at least 10 minutes before approaching the air bag to allow for cooling and dissipation of the effluents.

The air bag is now deployed and may be scrapped in the usual manner.