Service of Air Bag Equipped Vehicles Involved In Collisions

While servicing an air bag equipped vehicle that has been involved in a collision, check sensors and wiring.

Crash Sensors
Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for proper system operation. An arrow indicating the forward direction is located on each sensor. If a vehicle equipped with an air bag system is involved in a crash where the fenders or grille area have been damaged, ensure that body structure in the area of the sensor mounting is restored to its original condition. Inspect the sensor mounting brackets and sensor wire pigtail assembly for damage.
1. Damaged sensor should be replaced whether or not the air bag module is deployed.
2. Undamaged sensors will reset automatically after a collision and can be reused.

Damaged Wiring
Inspect the sensor wiring and the wiring harness for any damage that may have occurred due to the collision. Replace any damaged wiring, terminals, insulation or connectors, as required.

CAUTION: Before attempting diagnostic prove-out, check for wiring shorts that could cause the air bag diagnostic monitor thermal fuse to open, to avoid unnecessary replacement.






Splices are required in adjacent wiring. The splices should be staggered 50 mm (2 inches) from each other. Service as follows:
A waterproof butt-splice wiring connector should be used on all wiring service in the engine compartment. A heat shrink nylon splice prevents water, salt, condensation, and heat from affecting the wiring service.

The inner wall of the splice connector is lined with an adhesive that melts when heated with a heat gun and flows under pressure from the tubing, sealing the splice. The connectors can be crimped with a standard insulated connector crimping tool. The splices are color coded for gauge identification and are transparent to allow inspection of the finished splice.

Part Name Class
Butt Connector Gauge:15-22, Color:Red C
Butt Connector Gauge:14-16, Color:Blue C
Butt Connector Gauge:10-12, Color:Yellow C

Air Bag System
After all service, verify the AIR BAG indicator . This means turn the ignition switch to RUN and count the flashes only after the code (series of flashes) has cycled twice. If the AIR BAG indicator comes on continuously for six seconds and then goes out, the system is functioning properly and all faults have been serviced.