STANDARD PROCEDURE

SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT STORAGE

Airbags and seat belt tensioners must be stored in their original, special container until they are used for service. Also, they must be stored in a clean, dry environment; away from sources of extreme heat, sparks, and high electrical energy. Always place or store any airbag on a surface with its trim cover or airbag cushion side facing up, to minimize movement in case of an accidental deployment.

SERVICE AFTER A SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT

Any vehicle which is to be returned to use following a supplemental restraint deployment, must have the deployed restraints replaced. In addition, if the driver airbag has been deployed, the clockspring and the steering column must be replaced. If the passenger airbag is deployed, the passenger airbag door and the passenger airbag squib connectors must be replaced. The seat belt tensioners are deployed by the same signal that deploys the driver and passenger airbags and must also be replaced along with their squib connectors if either front airbag has been deployed.

If a seat airbag has been deployed, the seat back trim cover, the seat back foam, the seat back frame and the seat airbag jumper wire harness must be replaced. These components are not intended for reuse and will be damaged or weakened as a result of a supplemental restraint deployment, which may or may not be obvious during a visual inspection.

It is also critical that the mounting surfaces and mounting brackets for the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC), side impact sensors, and front impact sensors be closely inspected and restored to their original conditions following any vehicle impact damage. Because the ORC and each front and side impact sensor are used by the supplemental restraint system to monitor or confirm the direction and severity of a vehicle impact, improper orientation or insecure fastening of these components may cause airbags not to deploy when required, or to deploy when not required.

All other vehicle components should be closely inspected following any supplemental restraint deployment, but are to be replaced only as required by the extent of the visible damage incurred.

AIRBAG SQUIB STATUS

Multistage airbags with multiple initiators (squibs) must be checked to determine that all squibs were used during the deployment event. The driver and passenger airbags in this vehicle are deployed by electrical signals generated by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) through the driver or passenger squib 1 and squib 2 circuits to the two initiators in the airbag inflators. Typically, both initiators are used and all potentially hazardous chemicals are burned during an airbag deployment event. However, it is possible for only one initiator to be used due to an airbag system fault; therefore, it is always necessary to confirm that both initiators have been used in order to avoid the improper handling or disposal of potentially live pyrotechnic or hazardous materials. The following procedure should be performed using a diagnostic scan tool to verify the status of both airbag squibs before either deployed airbag is removed from the vehicle for disposal.

CAUTION: Deployed front airbags having two initiators (squibs) in the airbag inflator may or may not have live pyrotechnic material within the inflator. Do not dispose of these airbags unless you are certain of complete deployment. Refer to the Hazardous Substance Control System for proper disposal procedures. Dispose of all non-deployed and deployed airbags and seat belt tensioners in a manner consistent with state, provincial, local, and federal regulations.

Using the active DTC information, refer to the Airbag Squib Status table to determine the status of both driver and passenger airbag squibs.

NOTE: If none of the Driver or Passenger Squib 1 or 2 open are active codes, the status of the airbag squibs is unknown. In this case the airbag should be handled and disposed of as if the squibs were both live.

CLEANUP PROCEDURE

Following a supplemental restraint deployment, the vehicle interior will contain a powdery residue. This residue consists primarily of harmless particulate by-products of the small pyrotechnic charge that initiates the propellant used to deploy a supplemental restraint. However, this residue may also contain traces of sodium hydroxide powder, a chemical by-product of the propellant material that is used to generate the inert gas that inflates the airbag. Since sodium hydroxide powder can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, or throat, be certain to wear safety glasses, rubber gloves, and a long-sleeved shirt during cleanup.

WARNING: To avoid serious or fatal injury, if you experience skin irritation during cleanup, run cool water over the affected area. Also, if you experience irritation of the nose or throat, exit the vehicle for fresh air until the irritation ceases. If irritation continues, see a physician.