General Description

The Supplemental Air Bag Restraint System is designed to provide increased accident protection for the driver IN ADDITION TO that provided by the driver three point safety belt system. Safety belt use is necessary to obtain the best occupant protection and to receive the full advantages of the supplemental air bag. FORD RECOMMENDS THE USE OF SAFETY BELT SYSTEMS FOR ALL VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

The Supplemental Air Bag Restraint System consists of two basic subsystems:
^ Driver and optional passenger air bag
^ Electrical system including impact sensors, backup power supply and electronic monitor assembly





Driver Air Bag
The driver air bag is mounted in the center of the steering wheel. The module consists of the following components:
^ Inflator
^ Mounting plate and retainer ring
^ Bag assembly
^ Steering wheel trim cover

NOTE: The driver air bag module is serviced as a complete assembly.

Inflator
he inflator assembly is not a serviceable item. When the sensors close, signaling a crash, battery power flows to the air bag inflator. Inside the inflator, an igniter converts the electrical signal to thermal (heat) energy, causing the ignition of the inflator gas generant. This ignition reaction combusts the sodium azide/copper oxide gas generant in the inflator, producing nitrogen gas, which inflates the air bag.

Air Bag
The air bag is constructed of neoprene coated nylon, is 711 mm (28 inch) in diameter and fills to a volume of about 0.065 m (2.3 cubic ft) in approximately 40 milliseconds. It is not a serviceable item.






Mounting Plate and Retainer Ring
The mounting plate and retainer ring attach and seal the bag assembly to the inflator. The mounting bracket is also used to attach the trim cover and to mount the entire module to the wheel. These items are components of the air bag module and cannot be serviced.

Steering Wheel Trim Cover
The cover encases the air bag assembly. When the air bag is activated, tear seams moulded into the steering wheel trim cover separate to allow inflation of the bag assembly. The cover is a component of the air bag module and is not serviceable.

Passenger Air Bag, Optional

NOTE: Vehicles that have the letters SRS located above the glove compartment come equipped with a passenger air bag. For vehicles without a passenger air bag.

The passenger air bag is mounted in the RH position of the instrument panel above the glove compartment. The air bag consists of the following components:
^ Inflator
^ Bag Assembly
^ Reaction housing with mounting hardware
^ Trim cover

NOTE: The passenger air bag is serviced as a complete assembly.

Inflator
The passenger air bag inflator is not a serviceable item. As with the driver air bag, an igniter inside the inflator converts to battery power to thermal (heat) energy, causing ignition of the gas generant. The ignition reaction causes combustion of the sodium azide/iron oxide gas generant producing nitrogen to fill the bag. Since the passenger air bag is much larger than the driver air bag, it contains more gas generant in a different inflator configuration to produce more nitrogen gas.


Passenger Air Bag Assembly
The passenger air bag is constructed of ripstop nylon. The bag fills to a volume of approximately 8 ft. It is not a serviceable item.

Reaction Housing
The steel housing supplies support for the inflator, a reaction surface for the air bag is used to attach the trim cover. It contains mounting brackets that attach the air bag to the instrument panel and is not a serviceable item.






Trim cover
The thermo-plastic trim cover is textured and pained to match the surface of the instrument panel. It is constructed with a moulded-in tear seam that separates when the air bag inflates, and hinges out of the way during deployment. Its main function is to retain the air bag in the reaction housing during vehicle operation. It is not a serviceable item.






Passenger Air Bag Delete Bracket
Vehicle which are not equipped with the optional passenger air bag will have the passenger air bag delete bracket. Circuit 49 (O) from diagnostic monitor Pin 7, is the optional passenger air bag signal and is grounded for driver only air bag systems. Circuit 49 (O) goes to a one way connector near the passenger air bag harness connector. For driver only air bag systems, this connector is secured to the passenger air bag delete bracket which is located behind the finish panel above the glove compartment.

Diagnostic Monitor
The diagnostic monitor contains a microprocessor that monitors the electrical system components and connections. The monitor performs a self-check of the microprocessor internal circuits and energizes the system readiness indicator during prove out and whenever a fault occurs in the system. System electrical faults can be detected and translated into coded indicator displays. If certain faults occur, the microprocessor will disable the system by opening a thermal fuse built into the monitor. If a system fault exists and the indicator is malfunctioning, an audible tone will be heard indicating the need for service.

An air bag system backup power supply is included in the diagnostic monitor to provide air bag deployment power if the battery or battery cables are damaged in an accident before the crash sensors close. The power supply will deplete its stored energy approximately one minute after the positive cable of the battery is disconnected.

WARNING: THE BACKUP POWER SUPPLY ENERGY MUST BE DEPLETED BEFORE ANY AIR BAG COMPONENT SERVICE IS PERFORMED. TO DEPLETE THE BACKUP POWER SUPPLY ENERGY, DISCONNECT THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND WAIT ONE MINUTE.


System Readiness Indicator
The system readiness indicator will light continuously for approximately six seconds whenever the ignition switch is turned from OFF to RUN if the air bag is working properly, the indicator will either fail to light, remain lit continuously, or light in a flashing manner. The flashing manner may not occur until approximately 30 seconds after the ignition switch has been turned from OFF to RUN. This is the time required for the diagnostic monitor to test and verify any and all system faults. If the air bag indicator is inoperative and an air bag system fault exists, a tone will sound signaling that the air bag readiness indicator is inoperative and an air bag system fault exists.

Tone Generator
The air bag readiness indicator is the prime means of determining the air bag system condition. However, a series of five sets of five tones will be heard if the readiness indicator is out and a fault occurs in the system. This also means that the Supplemental Air Bag System is in need of service. Unless serviced, the Supplemental Air Bag Restraint System may not function properly in the event of an accident.





Taurus Standard






Sable Standard and Taurus/Sable Optional Cluster






Taurus SHO

Steering Column and Wheel
The steering column has a clockspring assembly to transfer electrical signals from the steering column to the steering wheel for the air bag system.

The steering wheel has a stepped, four spoke design to accommodate the air bag module assembly.