AIR BAG, Passenger
DESCRIPTION
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The rearward-facing surface of the injection molded, thermoplastic Passenger
AirBag (PAB) door (1) is the most visible part of the PAB. The PAB
door is located above the glove box (2) opening on the top and face
of the instrument panel in front of the front seat passenger seating
position. The airbag door also includes a depressed area and clearance
holes to accommodate the instrument panel grab handle (3). The edges
of the PAB door are secured with integral snap features to the instrument
panel base trim.
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Located below the PAB door within the instrument panel is the PAB unit. The PAB unit is secured through two lower studs (5) and a stamped upper mounting bracket (6) to the die cast instrument panel structural support armature.
The PAB housing (1) fits into a molded receptacle on the back of
the airbag door, where several stamped hook formations (2) on the
upper and lower edges of the airbag housing are engaged in mating
small window openings on the upper and lower flanges of the receptacle
to secure the airbag door to the airbag housing. These airbag door
fasteners and mounting provisions are all concealed beneath the instrument
panel base trim.
The PAB unit used in this vehicle is a multistage, Next Generation-type that complies with revised federal airbag standards to deploy with less force than those used in some prior vehicles. The PAB unit consists of a stamped and welded metal housing, the airbag cushion (3), and dual airbag inflators. The airbag housing contains the airbag inflators and the folded airbag cushion. An approximately 80 centimeter (31.5 inch) wide by 90 centimeter (35.5 inch) high rectangular fabric cushion is used.
The airbag inflator is a non-azide, pyrotechnic-type unit that is secured to and sealed within the airbag housing. Two inflator initiators (4) are connected to the vehicle electrical system through dedicated take outs and connectors of the instrument panel wire harness.
A service replacement PAB does not include the PAB door. The PAB
door may be disassembled from the PAB and is available for individual
service replacement. The PAB unit cannot be repaired and must be replaced
if deployed, ineffective, or in any way damaged.
OPERATION
The multistage Passenger AirBag (PAB) is deployed by electrical signals generated by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) through the PAB squib 1 and squib 2 circuits to the two initiators for the dual airbag inflators. By using two initiators, the PAB can be deployed at multiple levels of force. The force level is controlled by the ORC to suit the monitored impact conditions by providing one of several delay intervals between the electrical signals provided to the two initiators. The longer the delay between these signals, the less forcefully the airbag will deploy.
When the ORC sends the proper electrical signals to each initiator, the electrical energy generates enough heat to initiate a small pyrotechnic charge which, in turn ignites chemical pellets within the inflator. Once ignited, these chemical pellets burn rapidly and produce a large quantity of inert gas. The inflator is sealed to the airbag cushion and a diffuser in the inflator directs all of the inert gas into the airbag cushion, causing the cushion to inflate. As the cushion inflates, the PAB door will split at predetermined tear seam lines concealed on the inside surface of the door, then the door will pivot up over the top of the instrument panel and out of the way. Following an airbag deployment, the airbag cushion quickly deflates by venting the inert gas through a vent hole in each fabric side panel of the airbag cushion.
Typically, both initiators are used during a PAB deployment event. However, it is possible for only one initiator to be used during a deployment due to an airbag system fault; therefore, it is necessary to always confirm that both initiators have been used in order to avoid the improper disposal of potentially live pyrotechnic materials. (Refer to 10 - Restraints - Standard Procedure) .
The ORC monitors the condition of the PAB through circuit resistance, and will illuminate the airbag indicator in the instrument cluster and store a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for any fault that is detected. Proper diagnosis of the PAB inflator and the squib circuits requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool and may also require the use of the SRS Load Tool special tool along with the appropriate Load Tool Jumpers and Adapters. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
REMOVAL
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.
WARNING:
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| NOTE: |
The following procedure is for replacement of an ineffective or damaged Passenger AirBag (PAB). 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 PAB 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) . |
- Disconnect and isolate the negative cable from the battery. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
- Remove the trim plug (2) from the access hole in the top of the instrument panel (1) between the windshield and the forward edge of the Passenger AirBag (PAB) door (3).
-
Working through the
access hole, loosen the nut that secures the PAB upper bracket and
the instrument panel armature to the stud near the windshield fence
line.

- Remove the grab handle above the glove box door from the instrument panel. (Refer to 23 - Body/Instrument Panel/HANDLE, Grab - Removal) .
- Remove the glove box from the instrument panel. (Refer to 23 - Body/Instrument Panel/GLOVE BOX, Instrument Panel - Removal) .
- Reach up into the instrument panel glove box opening to access and remove the two nuts (3) that secure the PAB lower studs to the instrument panel armature (2) on each side of the glove box latch striker (1).
- Using a trim stick or another suitable wide flat-bladed tool, gently pry the edges of the PAB door rearward far enough to disengage the snap features on the door from the receptacles in the instrument panel base trim.
-
Grasp the lower edge
of the PAB door and pull the door and PAB unit rearward far enough
to access the two instrument panel wire harness connections to the
PAB inflators at each side of the PAB housing.
CAUTION: Do not pull on the instrument panel wire harness take outs or pry on the connector insulators to disengage the connectors from the passenger airbag inflator connector receptacles. Improper removal of these take outs and their connector insulators can result in damage to the airbag circuits or the connector insulators.
- Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connectors from the PAB inflators. Firmly grasp and pull the lock straight out from the connector insulator, then pull the insulators straight out from the inflator to disconnect them from the connector receptacles.
-
Remove the PAB and
door from the instrument panel as a unit.
DISASSEMBLY
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,
service of this unit should be performed only by Chrysler-trained
and authorized dealer service technicians. Failure to take the proper
precautions or to follow the proper procedures could result in accidental,
incomplete, or improper airbag deployment and possible occupant injuries.
WARNING:
To avoid serious or fatal injury,
use extreme care to prevent any foreign material from entering the
passenger airbag, or from becoming entrapped between the airbag cushion
and the deployment door. Failure to observe this warning could result
in occupant injuries upon airbag deployment.
WARNING:
To avoid serious or fatal injury,
the passenger airbag door must never be painted. Replacement airbag
doors are serviced in the original colors. Paint may change the way
in which the material of the airbag door responds to an airbag deployment.
Failure to observe this warning could result in occupant injuries
upon airbag deployment.
WARNING:
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| NOTE: |
The following procedures can be used to replace the Passenger AirBag (PAB) door. If the PAB is deployed, the PAB and the PAB door must both be replaced. |
- Disconnect and isolate the negative cable from the battery. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
- Remove the Passenger AirBag (PAB) from the instrument panel. (Refer to 10 - Restraints/AIR BAG, Passenger - Removal) .
- Place the PAB on a suitable work surface with the PAB door (2) facing down. If the PAB door will be reused, be certain to take the proper precautions to prevent the door from receiving cosmetic damage during the following procedures.
-
Disengage each of the
12 hooks (3) of the PAB housing (1) from the 12 windows in the vertical
walls of the receptacle on the back of the PAB door. To disengage
the hooks:
- Use hand pressure to push the PAB housing fully against the upper or lower wall of the PAB door receptacle.
- Insert a trim stick or another suitable prying tool into the large gap between the PAB housing and the adjacent wall of the receptacle.
- Pry outward between the PAB housing and the receptacle wall far enough to disengage all 6 upper or lower hooks from their corresponding windows.
- Rotate the disengaged edge of the PAB housing upward far enough to disengage the remaining 6 hooks from their corresponding windows in the receptacle wall.
-
With all of the hooks
disengaged, lift the PAB housing, inflator and cushion from the receptacle
on the back of the PAB door.
ASSEMBLY
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,
service of this unit should be performed only by Chrysler-trained
and authorized dealer service technicians. Failure to take the proper
precautions or to follow the proper procedures could result in accidental,
incomplete, or improper airbag deployment and possible occupant injuries.
WARNING:
To avoid serious or fatal injury,
use extreme care to prevent any foreign material from entering the
passenger airbag, or from becoming entrapped between the airbag cushion
and the deployment door. Failure to observe this warning could result
in occupant injuries upon airbag deployment.
WARNING:
To avoid serious or fatal injury,
the passenger airbag door must never be painted. Replacement airbag
doors are serviced in the original colors. Paint may change the way
in which the material of the airbag door responds to an airbag deployment.
Failure to observe this warning could result in occupant injuries
upon airbag deployment.
WARNING:
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| NOTE: |
The following procedures can be used to replace the Passenger AirBag (PAB) door. If the PAB is deployed, the PAB and the PAB door must both be replaced. |
- Place the Passenger AirBag (PAB) door (2) on a suitable work surface with the PAB receptacle facing up. Be certain to take the proper precautions to prevent the PAB door from receiving cosmetic damage during the following procedures.
- Carefully position the PAB housing (1) into the PAB door receptacle.
-
Engage each of the
12 hooks (3) of the PAB housing (1) with the 12 windows in the vertical
walls of the receptacle on the back of the PAB door. To engage the
hooks:
- Rotate the 6 hooks on either the upper or lower edge of the PAB housing through their corresponding windows in the upper or lower wall of the PAB door receptacle.
- Press the opposite edge of the PAB housing down into the PAB door receptacle far enough to engage the remaining 6 hooks through their corresponding windows in the receptacle wall.
- After the PAB has been assembled, try pulling the PAB door and the PAB housing away from each other. This action will fully seat the edges of the windows into the cradles of the hooks.
-
Reinstall the PAB into
the instrument panel. (Refer
to 10 - Restraints/AIR BAG, Passenger - Installation)
.
INSTALLATION
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,
use extreme care to prevent any foreign material from entering the
passenger airbag, or from becoming entrapped between the airbag cushion
and the deployment door. Failure to observe this warning could result
in occupant injuries upon airbag deployment.
WARNING:
To avoid serious or fatal injury,
the instrument panel cover must never be painted. Replacement covers
are serviced in the original colors. Paint may change the way in which
the material of the cover responds to an airbag deployment. Failure
to observe this warning could result in occupant injuries upon airbag
deployment.
WARNING:
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| NOTE: |
The following procedure is for replacement of an ineffective or damaged Passenger AirBag (PAB). 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 PAB 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) . |
- Position the Passenger AirBag (PAB) and PAB door to the opening in the face of the instrument panel base trim as a unit.
- Reconnect the two connector insulators of the instrument panel wire harness take outs to the PAB inflator connector receptacles on each side of the PAB housing by pressing straight in on the connectors, then pushing the locks straight into the connectors. Be certain to engage each keyed and color-coded connector to the matching connector receptacle.
- Slide the PAB forward being certain that the upper PAB bracket is engaged with the stud and under the nut on the windshield fence line and that the two lower studs of the PAB are engaged in the holes of the instrument panel armature (2).
- Install and tighten the two nuts (3) that secure the PAB lower studs to the instrument panel armature. Tighten the nuts to 6 N·m (55 in. lbs.).
- Using hand pressure, press the PAB door forward and downward until each snap feature on the edges of the PAB door is fully engaged into its receptacle in the instrument panel base trim.
- Reinstall the grab handle onto the instrument panel. (Refer to 23 - Body/Instrument Panel/HANDLE, Grab - Installation) .
-
Reinstall the glove
box into the instrument panel. (Refer to 23 - Body/Instrument Panel/GLOVE BOX, Instrument Panel
- Installation)
.

- Working through the access hole in the top of the instrument panel (1) between the windshield and the forward edge of the PAB door (3), tighten the nut that secures the PAB upper bracket and the instrument panel armature to the stud near the windshield fence line. Tighten the nut to 6 N·m (55 in. lbs.).
- Reinstall the trim plug (2) into the access hole in the top of the instrument panel.
-
Do not reconnect the
negative cable to the battery 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)
.


