Deployment Inside Vehicle - Vehicle Scrapping Procedure

When the vehicle will be destroyed, deploy the inflator modules inside the vehicle. When the vehicle will be salvaged for component parts, deploy the inflator modules inside the vehicle. This includes, but is not limited to, the following situations:
^ The vehicle has completed its useful life.
^ Irreparable damage occurs to the vehicle in a non-deployment type accident.
^ Irreparable damage occurs to the vehicle during theft.
^ You are salvaging the vehicle for component parts in order to use on a vehicle with a different Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) as opposed to rebuilding a vehicle as the same VIN. Never use SIR components from another vehicle. This ensures SIR system integrity. Always use new SIR system components, except when you obtain remanufactured parts from an authorized General Motors dealer.

CAUTION: When you are deploying an inflator module for disposal perform the deployment procedures in the order listed. Failure to follow the procedures in the order listed may result in personal injury.

1. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
2. Remove the key.
3. Put on safety glasses.
4. Remove all loose objects from the front seats.
5. Disconnect the inflatable restraint steering wheel module yellow 2-way connector. This connector is located near the base of the steering column.
6. Cut the inflatable restraint steering wheel module yellow 2-way harness connector from the vehicle. Leave at least 160 mm (6 in) of wire at the connector.
7. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each wire lead of the connector.
8. Cut two 4.6 m (15 ft) deployment wires from 0.8 mm [square] (18 gauge) or thicker multi-strand wire. Use these wires in order to fabricate the driver deployment harness.
9. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends of these two wires.




10. Short the wires by twisting together one end from each. Keep the deployment wires shorted. Do not connect these wires to a power source until you are ready to deploy the air bag.




11. Twist together one connector wire lead to one deployment wire (1). Secure the connection mechanically.
12. Bend the twisted connection (2) flat. Wrap the connection tightly and securely with electrical tape. The tape will also insulate the connection.
13. Secure the remaining connector wire lead (3) to the remaining deployment wire.




14. Connect the deployment harness to the inflatable restraint steering wheel module, yellow 2-way connector at the base of the steering column.
15. Route the deployment harness out of the driver side of the vehicle.
16. Disconnect the inflatable restraint IP module, yellow connector. This connector is located behind the IP compartment.




17. Cut the inflatable restraint IP module harness connector from the vehicle. Leave at least 160 mm (6 in) of wire at the connector.
18. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each wire lead of the connector.
19. Cut two 6.1 m (20 ft) deployment wires from 0.8 mm [square] (18 gauge) or thicker multi-strand wire. Use these wires in order to fabricate the driver deployment harness.
20. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends of these two wires.




21. Short the wires by twisting together one end from each. Keep the deployment wires shorted. Do not connect these wires to a power source until you are ready to deploy the air bag.




22. Twist together one connector wire lead to one deployment wire (1). Secure the connection mechanically.
23. Bend the twisted connection (2) flat. Wrap the connection tightly and securely with electrical tape. The tape will also insulate the connection.
24. Secure the remaining connector wire lead (3) to the remaining deployment wire.




25. Connect the deployment harness to the inflatable restraint IP module, yellow 2-way connector.
26. Route the deployment harness out of the passenger side of the vehicle.
27. Clear the inside of the vehicle and the area surrounding the vehicle of any people. Clear the vehicle of all loose or flammable objects.
28. Stretch the driver and passenger deployment harnesses to their full lengths.




29. Completely cover the windshield area and the front door window openings with a drop cloth, a blanket, or any similar item. This reduces the possibility of injury due to possible fragmentation of the vehicle's glass or interior.
30. Notify everyone in the immediate area before you deploy the air bags:
^ The deployment is very loud.
^ The deployment may startle any uninformed people in the area.
31. Place a power source near the shorted end of the SIR deployment harness. Use a vehicle battery when available, but always use a power source that complies to the following:
^ 12 volts minimum
^ 2 A minimum
32. Separate the two ends of the driver deployment harness wires.

NOTE: The rapid gas expansion involved with deploying an air bag is very loud. Notify all people in the immediate area that you intend to deploy the inflator module.

33. Connect the SIR deployment harness wires to the power source. This will immediately deploy the inflatable restraint steering wheel module.




34. Disconnect the deployment harness wires from the power source.
35. Separate the two ends of the passenger deployment harness wires.
36. Connect the passenger deployment harness wires to a power source. This will immediately deploy the inflatable restraint IP module.
After the inflator module has deployed, the surface of the air bag may contain a powdery residue. this powder consists primarily of cornstarch (used to lubricate the bag as it inflates), and by-products of the chemical reaction. The deployment reaction produces sodium hydroxide dust (similar to lye soap). The sodium hydroxide quickly reacts with the atmospheric moisture. This atmospheric moisture converts the sodium hydroxide into sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Therefore, you will probably find no sodium hydroxide present after the deployment. Gloves and safety glasses are recommended, however, as a precaution. Gloves and safety glasses help to prevent possible irritation of the skin or eyes.

CAUTION: Immediately following the deployment of an air bag, the metal surfaces of the inflator module are very hot. Do not place the deployed inflator module near any flammable objects. Wait for about ten minutes before touching any metal surface of the inflator module. Disregarding these precautions may cause fire or personal injury.




37. The metal canister and the area surrounding the inflator module are very hot. Do not touch the metal areas of the inflator module for about ten minutes after deployment. If you must move the deployed inflator module, use caution. Always wear gloves and handle the inflator module by the air bag or by the vinyl trim.




38. Disconnect the deployment harness wires from the power source.




39. Short the driver deployment harness wires by twisting together one end from each of the wires. Repeat this procedure for the passenger deployment harness.




40. Carefully remove the drop cloth from the vehicle.
41. Disconnect the driver deployment harness. Disconnect the passenger deployment harness from the vehicle.
42. Discard both deployment harnesses.
43. After deploying both air bags, you may scrap the vehicle in the same manner as a non-SIR equipped vehicle.




44. In the unlikely event that the inflatable restraint steering wheel module did not deploy after following these procedures, proceed immediately with steps 45-46.
45. Remove the undeployed inflator module(s) from the vehicle.

CAUTION: Refer to Inflator Module Handling And Storage Caution in Service Precautions.

46. Temporarily store the inflator module with its vinyl trim cover facing up.
47. Call the Technical Assistance group for further assistance.