Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Component Inspection

Repairs and Inspections Required after an Accident

CAUTION:
- All air bag system components, including the electrical harness (component mounting points), must be inspected after an accident. If any components are damaged or bent, they must be replaced even if air bag system activation did not occur.
- Never use air bag system parts from another vehicle.
- Do not attempt to service the following parts. Service of these parts is by replacement only.
- Driver/Passenger air bag (inflator) module, Driver/Passenger seat belt pretensioner
- SDM
- Contact coil and combination switch assembly
- Air bag wire harness (in floor wire harness)

- Proper operation of the air bag system requires that any repairs to the vehicle structure return it to its original production configuration.
- After detecting one time of such collision as to meet deployment conditions, the SDM must not be used. Refer to "Air Bag Diagnostic System Check" when checking the SDM.

Accident with or Without Deployment/Activation - Component Inspections
Certain air bag system components must be inspected after any crash, whether the air bag system activated or not.
If any faulty condition is found in the following checks, replace faulty part.

Those components are:
- Steering column (1) and shaft joints
- Check for length, damage and bend according to "Checking Steering Column Assembly for Accident Damage".




- Steering column bracket (2)
- Check for damage and bent.




- Steering wheel and driver air bag (inflator) module
- Check for damage or air bag (inflator) module fitness.
- Check trim cover (pad surface) for cracks.
- Check wire harness and connector for damage or tightness.




- Contact coil and combination switch assembly
- Check wire harness and connectors for damage or tightness.
- Check contact coil case for damage.

- SDM
- Check for external damage such as deformation, scratch, crack, peeled paint, etc.
- Check that SDM cannot be installed properly due to a cause in itself.
- Check that connector or lead wire of SDM has a scorching, melting or damage.
- Check SDM connector and terminals for tightness.
- Check SDM sets a diagnostic trouble code. Refer to DTC Check" . and the diagnostic table leads to 2 malfunctioning SDM.

- Instrument panel member and reinforcement
- Check for any distortion, bending, cracking or other damage.




- Passenger air bag (inflator) module
- Check for dents, cracks, damage or fitness.
- Check trim cover for cracks or deformities.
- Check harness and connector for damage or tightness.




- Air bag wire harness and connections
- Check for damages, deformities or poor connections. Refer to "inspection of Intermittents and Poor Connections".
- Check wire harness clamps for tightness.




- Seat belt pretensioner
- Check for dents, cracks, damage or fitness
- Check connector for damage or tightness.

- Seat belts and mounting points
- Refer to "Front Seat Belt Components".

- "AIR BAG" warning lamp
- After vehicle is completely repaired, perform "Air Bag Diagnostic System Check".