Air Bag: Description and Operation
Driver Air Bag ModuleCAUTION:
- There are two different steering wheels for this vehicle, an early build and a late build. These steering wheels are not interchangeable. If installing a new steering wheel, make sure the correct steering wheel is being installed or damage to the components can occur.
- There are two different driver air bag modules for this vehicle, an early build and a late build. These driver air bag modules are not interchangeable. If installing a new driver air bag module, make sure the correct module is being installed or damage to the components can occur.
NOTE: References to the driver air bag module must not be confused with the driver seat side air bag components of the supplemental restraint system (SRS).
The driver air bag module:
- is steering-wheel mounted.
- is a dual-stage air bag, deploying at one of two different rates depending upon impact severity, safety belt usage and driver seat position.
- will deploy upon receiving a signal from the restraints control module (RCM).
- has no subassemblies.
Early Build Driver Air Bag Module And Steering Wheel:
In the illustration above, note the location of the tower on the steering wheel and on the driver air bag module. Looking at the connector side of an early build driver air bag module, there will be a tower at the left-hand side of the module (shown). The late build driver air bag module will have the tower on the right-hand side. Looking at the early build steering wheel, there will be a tower on the left-hand side of the armature (shown). The late build steering wheel will have the tower on the right-hand side of the armature. Early build and late build driver air bag modules and steering wheels cannot be interchanged. If a new steering wheel or driver air bag module is installed on a vehicle, make sure the correct parts are installed. These towers are there to prevent the incorrect driver air bag module from being installed on a vehicle. If installing a driver air bag module to the steering wheel and the locking pins will not lock in place, the incorrect driver air bag module or steering wheel is being used.
Passenger Air Bag Module
NOTE: References to the passenger air bag module must not be confused with the passenger seat side air bag components of the supplemental restraint system (SRS).
The passenger air bag module:
- is a dual-stage air bag, deploying at one of two different rates depending upon impact severity, safety belt usage and passenger seat occupant classification (if equipped with a passenger seat occupant sensor).
- is installed as an assembly.
- is mounted in the passenger side of the instrument panel.