2012 Jeep Wrangler JK Factory Service Manual 10 - Restraints

AIR BAG, Seat

DESCRIPTION

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 inserted into a sewn pouch on the inside of the trim cover, then 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 cushion is contained within a retainer wrap (1) constructed of the same material as the airbag cushion. The inner wrap cover completely encloses the airbag cushion and is engaged over the studs on the housing for retention. The airbag cushion is constructed of a coated nylon fabric. The airbag housing contains the airbag inflator and a heat shield.

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

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 retainer wrap, the sewn pouch 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

REMOVAL

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, 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 SRS. 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 10 - Restraints - Standard Procedure) . 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 10 - Restraints - Standard Procedure) .

  1. Position the front seat to its most forward position for easiest access to the front seat back.

    2.  
  2. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.

    3.  
  3. Fold the seat back rearward for easiest access to the J-hook retainers at the base of the seat back trim cover.

    4.  
  4. Disengage the J-hook retainers that secure the front and rear lower edges of the seat back trim cover to each other at the base of the seat back.

    5.  
  5. Fold the seat back forward for easiest access to the back of the seat back trim cover.

    6.  
  6. Remove the recliner handle and, on the passenger side only, the easy entry handle from the outboard side of the seat.

    7.  
  7. Pull up the front and rear lower edges of the seat back trim cover far enough to access the seat airbag unit on the outboard side of the seat back frame.

    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.


    8.  
  8. Reach between the seat back trim cover and the foam pad on the outboard side of the seat back frame to access and disconnect the seat airbag jumper wire harness connector from the seat airbag inflator. Squeeze the black latch tabs on each side of the connector insulator, then pull the insulator straight out from the airbag inflator initiator to disconnect it from the connector receptacle.

    CAUTION:

    During removal of the seat airbag, be certain not to tear or damage the sewn nylon pouch integral to the inside of the seat back trim cover that contains the seat airbag. If the nylon pouch or the trim cover are torn or damaged, the entire front seat back trim cover must be replaced with a new unit.


    9.  
  9. Remove the two nuts (3) from the inboard side of the outboard seat back frame that secure the seat airbag to the side of the seat back.

    10.  
  10. Pull the seat airbag outward from the seat back far enough to disengage the airbag mounting studs from the seat back frame.

    11.  
  11. Disengage the seat airbag from the sewn pouch on the inside of the seat back trim cover and remove the airbag from the seat back.

    12.  

INSTALLATION

INSTALLATION

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, 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 SRS. 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 10 - Restraints - Standard Procedure) . 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 10 - Restraints - Standard Procedure) .

  1. Insert the seat airbag (1) into the sewn nylon pouch on the inside of the outboard seat back trim cover.

    2.  
  2. Position the seat airbag and pouch to the outboard side of the seat back frame (2) and insert the studs through the mounting holes in the frame.

    3.  
  3. 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.).

    4.  
  4. Reach between the seat back trim cover and the foam pad on the outboard side of the seat back frame to access and reconnect the seat airbag jumper wire harness (4) connector to the seat airbag inflator. Be certain that the connector latches 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.


    5.  
  5. Restore the front and rear lower edges of the seat back trim cover to the base of the seat back frame.

    6.  
  6. Reinstall the recliner handle and, on the passenger side only, the easy entry handle to the outboard side of the seat.

    7.  
  7. Fold the seat back rearward for easiest access to the J-hook retainers at the base of the seat back trim cover.

    8.  
  8. Engage the J-hook retainers that secure the front and rear lower edges of the seat back trim cover to each other at the base of the seat back.

    9.  
  9. Do not reconnect the battery negative cable at this time. The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Verification Test procedure should be performed following service of any SRS component. (Refer to 10 - Restraints - Standard Procedure) .

    10.