Technician Safety Information

GENERAL SAFETY

1. Always wear appropriate eye protection.
2. Use caution when working near the catalytic converter to prevent the possibility of burns. The temperatures within the converter can exceed 1000°F.
3. Ignition systems present a shock hazard; exercise care when performing spark test.
4. When servicing the fuel system use the following cautions:
a. Put a "CAUTION: FLAMMABLE" sign in the workshop.
b. Be sure to furnish the shop with the proper fire extinguisher.
c. Be sure to disconnect battery ground cable before any service work is done.
d. Place a suitable container under the connection to be opened.
e. Slowly open connection, allow pressure to escape, and catch spilled fuel in container.
NOTE: If available, use system bleed valve (schrader) to relieve pressure.
f. Disconnect line or hose, then plug all fittings.
g. Put any drained fuel in a fire resistant container and put the lid on securely.
5. Flooded engines may create a potentially hazardous situation. Keep all flames, sparks and high heat sources away from flooded engines. When draining oil contaminated by fuel, make sure the vehicle is located in a safe, well ventilated area. Because of the possibility of raw fuel coming out of the spark plug holes when cranking a flooded engine after the spark plugs have been removed, the ignition system must be disabled to reduce the possibility of a spark causing ignition of the raw fuel.

SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT (AIR BAG) SYSTEM

1. All Supplemental Restraint system components, including harness and brackets, must be inspected after an accident. Any Supplemental Restraint components that are damaged or bent must be replaced with new parts even if a deployment did not occur. Never use Supplemental Restraint parts from another vehicle. Do not attempt to repair Supplemental Restraint parts, service is by replacement only.
2. The Engine Controller/Control Unit can maintain sufficient voltage to cause a deployment for up to 10 minutes after the ignition switch is turned off and the battery is disconnected.
3. Be very careful when handling a sensor. Never strike or jar a sensor. If you do, it could cause deployment and result in personal injury or improper operation of the Supplemental Restraint system. Never power up the Supplemental Restraint system when any sensor is not rigidly attached to the vehicle, since the sensor is easily activated when not attached and could cause deployment.
4. When carrying a live inflator module, make sure the bag and trim cover are pointed away from you. Never carry the inflator module by the wires or connector on the underside of the module.
5. After deployment, the air bag surface may contain a small amount of sodium hydroxide, a by-product of the deployment reaction that is irritating to the skin and eyes. Most of the powder on the air bag is harmless. Wash your hands with mild soap and water after handling deployed air bags.