SEAT AIRBAG
DESCRIPTION
The seat airbags are completely concealed beneath the seat back trim cover on the upper outboard sides of both front seat backs. These airbags are secured to the seat back frame by nuts on two studs (3). The two studs are located on the stamped metal airbag housing (2), while a metal locator tab between the two studs is integral to the stamped metal housing.
The folded seat airbag cushions are contained within a molded plastic inner airbag cushion cover (1). The airbag housing contains the airbag inflator and a heat shield. The inner cover completely encloses the airbag cushion and is permanently retained to the housing. The airbag cushion is constructed of a coated nylon fabric.
The airbag inflator is a single-initiator, pyrotechnic-type unit that is secured to and sealed within the airbag housing. The seat airbag is connected to the vehicle electrical system through a dedicated jumper wire harness with a connector insulator that connects directly to the inflator initiator (4). The connector insulators are uniquely keyed and color-coded to ensure they can only be connected to the initiator.
The seat airbag cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed, ineffective, or in any way damaged. If the seat airbag is deployed, the seat back frame, the seat back foam, the seat back trim cover and the airbag jumper wire harness must also be replaced.
OPERATION
Each seat airbag is deployed individually by an electrical signal generated by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) to which it is connected through left or right seat airbag line 1 and line 2 (or squib) circuits. The hybrid-type inflator assembly for each airbag contains a small canister of highly compressed inert gas. When the ORC sends the proper electrical signal to the airbag inflator, the electrical energy creates enough heat to ignite chemical pellets within the inflator.
Once ignited, these chemicals burn rapidly and produce the pressure necessary to rupture a containment disk in the inert gas canister. The inflator and inert gas canister are sealed and connected so that all of the released gas is directed into the folded seat airbag cushion, causing the cushion to inflate. As the airbag cushion inflates it will split the inner cover and the outboard side of the seat back trim cover and expand into the area between the outboard side of the front seat and the front door to form a cushion to protect the front seat occupant during a side impact collision or a vehicle rollover incident.
Following the airbag deployment, the airbag cushion slowly deflates by venting the inert gas through the loose weave of the cushion fabric, and the deflated cushion hangs down loosely from the outboard side of the front seat back.
Proper diagnosis of the seat airbag inflator and squib circuits requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
REMOVAL
WARNING: To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supplemental restraint system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, occupant classification system, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the supplemental restraint system. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.
WARNING: To avoid serious or fatal injury when removing a deployed airbag, rubber gloves, eye protection, and a long-sleeved shirt should be worn. There may be deposits on the airbag unit and other interior surfaces. In large doses, these deposits may cause irritation to the skin and eyes.
NOTE: The following procedure is for replacement of an ineffective or damaged seat airbag. If the airbag is ineffective or damaged, but not deployed, review the recommended procedures for handling non-deployed supplemental restraints. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - HANDLING NON-DEPLOYED SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINTS). If the seat airbag has been deployed, review the recommended procedures for service after a supplemental restraint deployment before removing the airbag from the vehicle. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - SERVICE AFTER A SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT).
1. Position the front seat to its most forward position for easiest access to the front seat back.
2. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
3. Remove the trim from the front and back of the front seat back (2). (Refer to 23 - BODY/SEATS/SEAT BACK CUSHION / COVER - REMOVAL).
CAUTION: Do not pull on the seat airbag jumper wire harness (4) or pry on the connector insulator to disengage the connector from the seat airbag (1) inflator connector receptacle. Improper removal of this jumper wire and its connector insulator can result in damage to the airbag circuits or the connector insulator.
4. Disconnect the seat airbag jumper wire harness connector from the seat airbag inflator. Slide the yellow locking tab down then squeeze the two latch tabs on the connector insulator, then pull the insulator straight out from the airbag inflator to disconnect it from the connector receptacle.
5. Remove the two nuts (3) that secure the seat airbag to the side of the seat back frame.
6. Remove the seat airbag from the seat back frame.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supplemental restraint system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, occupant classification system, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the supplemental restraint system. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.
NOTE: The following procedure is for replacement of an ineffective or damaged seat airbag. If the airbag is ineffective or damaged, but not deployed, review the recommended procedures for handling non-deployed supplemental restraints. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - HANDLING NON-DEPLOYED SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINTS). If the seat airbag has been deployed, review the recommended procedures for service after a supplemental restraint deployment before removing the airbag from the vehicle. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - SERVICE AFTER A SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT).
1. Position the seat airbag (1) to the outboard side of the seat back frame (2) and insert the studs through the mounting holes in the frame.
2. Install and tighten the two nuts (3) that secure the seat airbag to the side of the seat back frame. Tighten the nuts to 10 N·m (89 in. lbs.).
3. Reconnect the seat airbag jumper wire harness (4) connector to the seat airbag inflator. Be certain that the connector latches and lock are fully engaged.
CAUTION: Be certain that all of the trim is properly reinstalled on the front seat back frame. Failure to do so will adversely affect the function of the seat airbag system.
4. Reinstall the trim onto the front and back of the front seat back (2). (Refer to 23 - BODY/SEATS/SEAT BACK CUSHION / COVER - INSTALLATION).
5. Do not reconnect the battery negative cable at this time. The supplemental restraint system verification test procedure should be performed following service of any supplemental restraint system component. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - VERIFICATION TEST).