Dodge Durango (HB). Manual - part 547

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Seat Belt Tensioner - A seat belt tensioner is integral to both front seat belt retractor units on vehicles
equipped with dual front airbags. The seat belt retractor and tensioner units are secured to the right and left
inner B-pillars and concealed beneath the lower B-pillar trim.

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Seat Track Position Sensor (6) - The Occupant Classification System (OCS) includes two seat track position
sensors. One sensor is located on the inboard side of one of the seat adjuster tracks on both the driver and
the passenger front seats.

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Seat Weight Sensor (5) - Vehicles equipped with the Occupant Classification System (OCS) include four seat
weight sensors, one on each corner of the passenger side front seat between the seat cushion frame and the
seat track.

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Side Curtain Airbag (10) - In vehicles equipped with this option, a side curtain airbag is secured to each
inside roof side rail, and extends from the A-pillar to the D-pillar. The side curtain airbags are concealed above
the headliner trim.

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Side Impact Sensor (9) - Six side impact sensors are used on vehicles equipped with the optional side curtain
airbags, three on each side of the vehicle. One sensor is located near each right and left side lower B-pillar,
C-pillar and D-pillar concealed behind the interior trim.

The ORC, the OCM, and the EMIC each contain a microprocessor and programming that allow them to communi-
cate with each other using the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus. This method of communication is used by
the ORC for control of the airbag indicator in the EMIC. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MOD-
ULES/COMMUNICATION - DESCRIPTION).

Hard wired circuitry connects the supplemental restraint system components to each other through the electrical
system of the vehicle. These hard wired circuits are integral to several wire harnesses, which are routed throughout
the vehicle and retained by many different methods. These circuits may be connected to each other, to the vehicle
electrical system, and to the supplemental restraint system components through the use of a combination of sol-
dered splices, splice block connectors, and many different types of wire harness terminal connectors and insulators.
Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and con-
nector repair procedures, further details on wire harness routing and retention, as well as pin-out and location views
for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.

OPERATION

ACTIVE RESTRAINTS

The primary passenger restraints in this or any other vehicle are the standard equipment factory-installed seat belts
and child restraint anchors. Seat belts and child restraint anchors are referred to as an active restraint because the
vehicle occupants are required to physically fasten and properly adjust these restraints in order to benefit from them.
See the owner’s manual in the vehicle glove box for more information on the features, use and operation of all of
the factory-installed active restraints.

PASSIVE RESTRAINTS

The passive restraints are referred to as a supplemental restraint system because they were designed and are
intended to enhance the protection for the occupants of the vehicle only when used in conjunction with the seat
belts. They are referred to as passive restraints because the vehicle occupants are not required to do anything to
make them operate; however, the vehicle occupants must be wearing their seat belts in order to obtain the maxi-
mum safety benefit from the factory-installed supplemental restraint system.

The supplemental restraint system electrical circuits are continuously monitored and controlled by a microprocessor
and software contained within the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). An airbag indicator in the ElectroMechanical
Instrument Cluster (EMIC) illuminates for about seven seconds as a bulb test each time the ignition switch is turned
to the On or Start positions. Following the bulb test, the airbag indicator is turned on or off by the ORC to indicate
the status of the supplemental restraint system. If the airbag indicator comes on at any time other than during the
bulb test, it indicates that there is a problem in the supplemental restraint system electrical circuits. Such a problem
may cause airbags not to deploy when required, or to deploy when not required.

Deployment of the supplemental restraints depends upon the angle and severity of an impact. Deployment is not
based upon vehicle speed; rather, deployment is based upon the rate of deceleration as measured by the forces of
gravity (G force) upon the impact sensors. When an impact is severe enough, the microprocessor in the ORC sig-
nals the inflator of the appropriate airbag units to deploy their airbag cushions. The front seat belt tensioners are
provided with a deployment signal by the ORC in conjunction with the front airbags.

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During a frontal vehicle impact, the knee blockers work in concert with properly fastened and adjusted seat belts to
restrain both the driver and the front seat passenger in the proper position for an airbag deployment. The knee
blockers also absorb and distribute the crash energy from the driver and the front seat passenger to the structure
of the instrument panel. The seat belt tensioners remove the slack from the front seat belts to provide further assur-
ance that the driver and front seat passenger are properly positioned and restrained for an airbag deployment.

Typically, the vehicle occupants recall more about the events preceding and following a collision than they do of an
airbag deployment itself. This is because the airbag deployment and deflation occur very rapidly. In a typical 48
kilometer-per-hour (30 mile-per-hour) barrier impact, from the moment of impact until the airbags are fully inflated
takes about 40 milliseconds. Within one to two seconds from the moment of impact, the airbags are almost entirely
deflated. The times cited for these events are approximations, which apply only to a barrier impact at the given
speed. Actual times will vary somewhat, depending upon the vehicle speed, impact angle, severity of the impact,
and the type of collision.

When the ORC monitors a problem in any of the dual front airbag system circuits or components, including the seat
belt tensioners, it stores a fault code or Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) in its memory circuit and sends an elec-
tronic message to the EMIC to turn on the airbag indicator. Proper testing of the supplemental restraint system
components, the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus, the electronic message inputs to and outputs from the
EMIC or the ORC, as well as the retrieval or erasure of a DTC from the ORC or the EMIC requires the use of a
diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

See the owner’s manual in the vehicle glove box for more information on the features, use and operation of all of
the factory-installed passive restraints.

OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

In vehicles equipped with the Occupant Classification System (OCS), the OCS automatically suppresses or enables
passenger airbag and seat belt tensioner operation based upon whether or not the passenger side front seat is
occupied and, if the seat is occupied, classifies the size of the occupant and whether the seat is occupied by a child
seat.

The OCS has an Occupant Classification Module (OCM) that monitors inputs from the seat weight sensors under
the passenger side front seat cushion and from the seat track position sensors on the passenger side and driver
side seat adjuster tracks. Based upon those inputs the microprocessor within the OCM classifies the occupant of the
passenger side front seat, and the proximity of each front seat to the front airbags. The OCM then sends electronic
occupant classification messages to the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). The microprocessor and program-
ming of the ORC determines whether to enable or disable the deployment circuits for the passenger airbag and seat
belt tensioner; and, if enabled, what force level should be used to deploy each front airbag.

The OCS electrical circuits and components are continuously monitored by the OCM, and the OCM is continuously
monitored by the ORC. A passenger airbag on/off indicator is located below the inboard passenger side air outlet.
This indicator receives battery current whenever the ignition switch is in the On or Start positions, and illuminates
only when the ORC pulls the indicator control circuit to ground. The indicator illuminates for about seven seconds as
a bulb test each time the ignition switch is turned to the On or Start positions. Following the bulb test, the indicator
is turned on or off by the ORC based upon the electronic occupant classification messages received from the OCM.
This indicator is illuminated whenever the seat is occupied and passenger airbag and seat belt tensioner operation
has been suppressed, and is turned off whenever the seat is empty or when the seat is occupied and the passen-
ger airbag and seat belt tensioner are enabled.

When the OCM monitors a problem in any of the OCS circuits or components, it stores a fault code or DTC in its
memory circuit and sends an electronic message to the ORC. The ORC then sends an electronic message to the
ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) to turn on the airbag indicator. If for any reason the OCM is unable to
classify the occupant it sends an electronic message to the ORC, and the ORC suppresses passenger airbag and
seat belt tensioner operation. Proper testing of the OCS components, the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus,
the electronic message inputs to and outputs from the OCM, the EMIC or the ORC, as well as the retrieval or
erasure of a DTC from the OCM, the ORC or the EMIC requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the
appropriate diagnostic information.

See the owner’s manual in the vehicle glove box for more information on the features, use and operation of the
OCS.

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WARNING

WARNINGS - RESTRAINT SYSTEM

WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, during and following any seat belt or child restraint anchor
service, carefully inspect all seat belts, buckles, mounting hardware, retractors, tether straps, and anchors
for proper installation, operation, or damage. Replace any belt that is cut, frayed, or torn. Straighten any
belt that is twisted. Tighten any loose fasteners. Replace any belt that has a damaged or inoperative buckle
or retractor. Replace any belt that has a bent or damaged latch plate or anchor plate. Replace any child
restraint anchor or the unit to which the anchor is integral that has been bent or damaged. Never attempt to
repair a seat belt or child restraint component. Always replace damaged or faulty seat belt and child
restraint components with the correct, new and unused replacement parts listed in the DaimlerChrysler
Mopar Parts Catalog.

WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supplemental
restraint system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, occupant classification sys-
tem, 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 personal injury or death on vehicles equipped with airbags, before performing any
welding operations disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable and disconnect all wire har-
ness connectors from the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). Failure to take the proper precautions could
result in accidental airbag deployment and other possible damage to the supplemental restraint system cir-
cuits and components.

WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, do not attempt to dismantle an airbag unit or tamper with its
inflator. Do not puncture, incinerate, or bring into contact with electricity. Do not store at temperatures
exceeding 93° C (200° F). An airbag inflator unit may contain sodium azide and potassium nitrate. These
materials are poisonous and extremely flammable. Contact with acid, water, or heavy metals may produce
harmful and irritating gases (sodium hydroxide is formed in the presence of moisture) or combustible com-
pounds. An airbag inflator unit may also contain a gas canister pressurized to over 2500 psi.

WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, when handling a seat belt tensioner retractor, proper care
should be exercised to keep fingers out from under the retractor cover and away from the seat belt webbing
where it exits from the retractor cover.

WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, replace all restraint system components only with parts spec-
ified in the DaimlerChrysler Mopar Parts Catalog. Substitute parts may appear interchangeable, but internal
differences may result in inferior occupant protection.

WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, the fasteners, screws, and bolts originally used for the
restraint system components must never be replaced with any substitutes. These fasteners have special
coatings and are specifically designed for the restraint system. Any time a new fastener is needed, replace
it with the correct fasteners provided in the service package or specified in the DaimlerChrysler Mopar Parts
Catalog.

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WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, when a steering column has an airbag unit attached, never
place the column on the floor or any other surface with the steering wheel or airbag unit face down.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM

Proper diagnosis and testing of the supplemental restraint system components, the Controller Area Network (CAN)
data bus, the data bus electronic message inputs to and outputs from the ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster
(EMIC), the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC), or the Occupant Classification Module (OCM) as well as the
retrieval or erasure of a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) from the ORC or OCM requires the use of a diagnostic
scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

STANDARD PROCEDURE

HANDLING NON-DEPLOYED SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINTS

At no time should any source of electricity be permitted near the inflator on the back of a non-deployed airbag or
seat belt tensioner. When carrying a non-deployed airbag, the trim cover or airbag cushion side of the unit should
be pointed away from the body to minimize injury in the event of an accidental deployment. If the airbag unit is
placed on a bench or any other surface, the trim cover or airbag cushion side of the unit should be face up to
minimize movement in the event of an accidental deployment.

When handling a non-deployed seat belt tensioner, take proper care to keep fingers out from under the retractor
cover and away from the seat belt webbing where it exits from the retractor cover. In addition, the supplemental
restraint system should be disarmed whenever any steering wheel, steering column, seat belt tensioner, airbag,
impact sensor, Occupant Classification System (OCS), or instrument panel components require diagnosis or service.
Failure to observe this warning could result in accidental airbag deployment and possible personal injury.

All damaged, faulty or non-deployed airbags and seat belt tensioners which are replaced on vehicles are to be
handled and disposed of properly. If an airbag or seat belt tensioner unit is faulty or damaged and non-deployed,
refer to the Hazardous Substance Control System for proper disposal. Dispose of all non-deployed and deployed
airbags and seat belt tensioners in a manner consistent with state, provincial, local and federal regulations.

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 elec-
trical 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 must be replaced. If the
passenger airbag is deployed, the passenger airbag door 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 if either front airbag
has been deployed. If a side curtain airbag has been deployed, the complete airbag unit, the headliner, as well as
the upper A, B, C and D-pillar trim 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.

On vehicles with an optional sunroof, the sunroof drain tubes and hoses must be closely inspected following a side
curtain airbag deployment. It is also critical that the mounting surfaces and/or 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

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