• HEADINGS
  • CHRYSLER CORP.
    • SERVICE PRECAUTIONS
    • DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
      • Disabling
      • Activating
  • FORD MOTOR CO.
    • SERVICE PRECAUTIONS
    • DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
      • Disabling
      • Activating
  • GENERAL MOTORS
    • SERVICE PRECAUTIONS
    • DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
      • Disabling
      • Activating
• FIGURES
• TABLES

GENERAL INFORMATION

Air Bag Deactivation Procedures

CHRYSLER CORP.

WARNING:

To avoid injury from accidental air bag deployment, read and carefully follow all WARNINGS and SERVICE PRECAUTIONS.

SERVICE PRECAUTIONS

These precautions should be observed when working with air bag systems:

• Disable air bag system before servicing any air bag system or steering column component. Failure to do this could result in accidental air bag deployment and possible personal injury. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM.
• Back-up power supply maintains deployment voltage for about 2 minutes after battery is disconnected. When disabling air bag system, always wait at least 2 minutes after disconnecting battery cables to resume procedure.
• After repairs, ensure AIR BAG warning light works properly and no system faults are indicated.
• Always wear safety glasses when servicing or handling an air bag.
• All SRS component fasteners are specially coated and are designed with a specific function. Never replace SRS component fasteners with other than original equipment parts.
• Air bag module must be stored in its original special container until used for service. It must be stored in a clean, dry, place, away from sources of extreme heat, sparks and high electrical energy.
• When placing a live air bag on a bench or other surface, always face air bag and trim cover up, away from surface. This will reduce motion of module if accidentally deployed.
• After deployment, air bag surface may contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, which irritates skin. Always wear safety glasses, rubber gloves, and long-sleeved shirt during clean-up and wash hands using mild soap and water.
• Because of critical system operating requirements, DO NOT attempt to service any air bag components. Corrections are only made by replacing defective part.
• Electrical sources should never be allowed near inflator on back of air bag module.
• When carrying a live air bag module, trim cover should be pointed away from your body to minimize injury in case of deployment.
• When testing voltage or continuity at Air Bag Control Module (ACM), use wire side (not terminal end) of connector.
• DO NOT probe a wire through insulator, as this will damage it and eventually cause failure.
• Replace clockspring whenever driver-side air bag deploys.
• When performing electrical tests, prevent accidental shorting of terminals. Such shorts can damage fuses or components and may cause a second fault code to set, making diagnosis of original problem more difficult.
• When diagnosing air bag system, use DRB volt/ohm meter unless instructed to use an external volt/ohm meter. NEVER use an analog volt/ohmmeter or test light in place of a digital volt/ohm meter.
• When using DRB to diagnose an air bag system problem, operate DRB from outside of vehicle. DO NOT sit inside of vehicle.
• Never use an ohmmeter to measure resistance of air bag module. Accidental air bag deployment may occur, causing personal injury.
• If air bag system is not fully functional for any reason, vehicle should not be driven until system is repaired and again becomes operational. DO NOT remove bulbs, modules, sensors, or other components or in any way disable system from operating normally. If air bag system is not functional, park vehicle until it is repaired and functions properly.

DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM

WARNING:

Wait at least 2 minutes after disconnecting negative battery cable before servicing air bag system. System reserve capacitor, integral to ACM, maintains air bag system voltage for about 2 minutes after battery is disconnected. Servicing air bag system before 2 minutes may cause accidental air bag deployment and possible personal injury.

CAUTION:

When battery is disconnected, vehicle computer and memory systems may lose memory data. Driveability problems may exist until computer systems have completed a relearn cycle. See appropriate COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES article GENERAL INFORMATION before disconnecting battery.

Disabling

Ensure ignition switch is in OFF position. Disconnect negative battery cable and insulate cable end with electrical tape. Wait at least 2 minutes after disconnecting negative battery cable before servicing air bag system.

Activating

Reconnect negative battery cable. Turn ignition on. Observe AIR BAG warning light. Warning light should come on for 6-8 seconds and then go out, indicating system is functioning properly. If warning light fails to glow or glows and stays on, a system malfunction exists.

FORD MOTOR CO.

SERVICE PRECAUTIONS

These precautions should be observed when working with SRS:

• Disable SRS before servicing any SRS or steering column components. Failure to do so may result in accidental air bag deployment and personal injury. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM.
• Wait one minute after disabling SRS before working on vehicle. Back-up power supply holds a deployment charge for approximately one minute after positive battery cable is disconnected. Servicing SRS before one minute may cause accidental air bag deployment and possible personal injury.
• Because of critical system operating requirements, DO NOT service impact sensors, air bag sliding contact, diagnostic monitor or air bag modules. Repairs are made by replacement only.
• Always wear safety glasses whenever servicing an air bag equipped vehicle or handling an air bag.
• When carrying a live air bag module, ensure air bag module and trim cover are pointed away from your body. This minimizes chance of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
• When placing a live air bag module on a bench or other surface, always face air bag module and trim cover away from surface. This will reduce motion of module if it is accidentally deployed.
• After deployment, air bag surface may contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, which may irritate skin. Sodium hydroxide is a product of gas generant combustion. Always wear gloves and safety glasses when handling a deployed air bag. Wash hands using mild soap and water.
• If scrapping a vehicle with an undeployed air bag module, air bag must be deployed.
• If a part is replaced and new part does not correct condition, reinstall original part and perform diagnostic procedure again.
• Never probe connectors on air bag module. Doing so may cause air bag deployment and/or personal injury.
• Instruction to DISCONNECT always refers to connector. DO NOT remove component from vehicle if instructed to disconnect.
• After servicing, ensure AIR BAG warning light does not indicate any fault codes.
• Replace air bag module if trim cover (deployment doors) is marred or damaged. DO NOT repaint trim cover. Paint may degrade cover material. Replace air bag module as necessary.

DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM

WARNING:

Wait one minute after disabling SRS before working on vehicle. Back-up power supply holds a deployment charge for approximately one minute after positive battery cable is disconnected. Servicing SRS before one minute may cause accidental air bag deployment and possible personal injury.

CAUTION:

When battery is disconnected, vehicle computer and memory systems may lose memory data. Driveability problems may exist until computer systems have completed a relearn cycle. See appropriate COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMATION before disconnecting battery.

Disabling

NOTE:

The following disabling procedure should be used for component replacement purposes only. If vehicle was involved in a collision and air bag did not deploy or if SRS is not functioning properly, and vehicle needs to be driven, complete system deactivation is required.

Disconnect negative and positive battery cables. Shield both cables. SRS contains a back-up power supply built into air bag diagnostic monitor. Wait at least one minute before servicing any air bag components. System is now disabled.

Activating

Connect positive and then negative battery cables. System is now activated. From outside of vehicle (driver-side), turn ignition switch to RUN position. Check AIR BAG warning light for system fault codes. Perform system operation check to ensure SRS is functioning properly.

GENERAL MOTORS

SERVICE PRECAUTIONS

The following precautions should be observed when working with SIR system:

• Diagnostic Energy Reserve Modual (DERM) maintains sufficient voltage to cause air bag deployment for up to 2 minutes after ignition switch is turned to OFF position, battery is disconnected, or fuse powering Diagnostic Energy Reserve Modual (DERM) is removed. In order to begin servicing immediately, inflator modules must be removed from the deployment loop. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM.
• After repairs, ensure AIR BAG warning light is working properly and no system faults are indicated.
• Always wear safety glasses when servicing or handling an air bag module.
• Air bag module must be stored in its original special container until used for service. It must be stored in a clean, dry place, away from sources of extreme heat, sparks, or high electrical energy.
• Air bag modules or DERMs should not be subjected to temperatures greater than 150°F (65°C).
• Air bag modules or DERMs should not be used if they have been dropped from a height of 3 ft. (0.9 m) or greater.
• When placing a live air bag module on a bench or other surface, always make certain that the trim cover (finished side) is up and away from surface. This will reduce motion of module if accidentally deployed.
• After deployment, air bag surface may contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, which can irritate skin. Always wear safety glasses, rubber gloves and long-sleeved shirt during clean-up, and wash hands using mild soap and water. Follow correct disposal procedures.
• At no time should any electrical source be allowed near inflator on back of air bag module.
• DO NOT apply power to SIR system unless all components are connected or a diagnostic chart requests it, as this will set a diagnostic trouble code.
• When carrying a live air bag module, trim cover should be pointed away from your body to minimize injury in case of accidental deployment.
• DO NOT attempt to service Diagnostic Energy Reserve Modual (DERM), front end discriminating sensor, SIR coil assembly, or air bag modules. If defective, these parts must be replaced.
• DO NOT probe a wire through insulator; this will damage it and eventually cause failure due to corrosion.
• When performing electrical tests, prevent accidental shorting of terminals. Such mistakes can damage fuses or components and may cause a second fault code to set, making diagnosis of original problem more difficult.
• When using diagnostic charts to diagnose SIR system, under no circumstances should a volt/ohmmeter, test light or any type of electrical equipment not specified by manufacturer be used.
• If SIR system is not fully functional for any reason, vehicle should not be driven until system is repaired. DO NOT remove bulbs, modules, sensors or other components or in any way disable system from operating normally. If SIR system is not functional, park vehicle until repairs can be made.

DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM

CAUTION:

When battery is disconnected, vehicle computer and memory systems may lose memory data. Driveability problems may exist until computer systems have completed a relearn cycle. Record customer radio stations, as memory will be lost. Code equipped radios may also lock. Obtain code from customer. See appropriate COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMATION before disconnecting battery.

Disabling

1. Turn steering wheel to place vehicle wheels in straight-ahead position. Turn ignition switch to LOCK position.
2. Remove AIRBAG fuse from I/P fuse block. Remove CPA clip and disconnect Yellow 2-way SIR connector at base of steering column (it may be necessary to remove left sound insulator). Disconnect Yellow SIR connector under right instrument panel or behind glove box door assembly.
3. Wait 2 minutes before beginning service. All connectors in SIR system use CPA clips to ensure connector retention. Even if system is disconnected, use caution when working near air bags.

Activating

Connect Yellow 2-way SIR connector at base of steering column, and under right side instrument panel. Install CPA clips and fuse. Turn ignition switch to RUN position and ensure AIR BAG warning light flashes 7 times and then goes out.