bag System, which utilizes the driver/passenger air-
bags and seatbelt pretensioners. This system is
designed to protect occupants in the event of a front
impact collision. These airbags and seatbelt preten-
sioners are all serviceable parts. If these pyrotechnics
are deployed or defective, they must be replaced, as
well as the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
must be diagnosed following procedures outlined in
the service/diagnostic manuals.

Vehicles equipped with the Side Impact Airbag

System, the seat back assembly must be replaced, as
well as the Side Impact Airbag Control Module
(SIACM) must be diagnosed following procedures
outlined in the service/diagnostic manuals.

OPERATION

The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) controls

the driver/passenger airbags and seat belt tensioners.
If the ORC determines that the impact is severe
enough, the driver/passenger/side airbags and seat
belt tensioners will deploy. Once a deployment
occurs, these devices, and all damaged parts must be
replaced, as well as the ORC must be diagnosed fol-
lowing procedures outlined in the service/diagnostic
manuals.

The Side Impact Airbag Control Module (SIACM),

the seat back assemblies and all damaged parts must
be replaced, as well as the SIACM must be diagnosed
following procedures outlined in the service/diagnos-
tic manuals.

WARNING

WARNING: THIS SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE, COM-
PLEX ELECTRO–MECHANICAL UNIT. DISCONNECT
AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE CABLE
BEFORE BEGINNING AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPO-
NENT REMOVAL OR INSTALLATION PROCEDURES.
THIS WILL DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAIL-
URE

DISCONNECT

THE

BATTERY

COULD

RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
ALLOW SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE FOR
TWO MINUTES BEFORE REMOVING AIRBAG COM-
PONENTS.
DO NOT PLACE AN INTACT UNDEPLOYED AIRBAG
FACE DOWN ON A SOLID SURFACE, THE AIRBAG
WILL PROPEL INTO THE AIR IF ACCIDENTALLY
DEPLOYED AND COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL
INJURY.

WHEN

CARRYING

HANDLING

UNDEPLOYED AIRBAG MODULE, THE TRIM SIDE
OF THE AIRBAG SHOULD BE POINTING AWAY

FROM THE BODY TO MINIMIZE POSSIBILITY OF
INJURY IF ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT OCCURS.
REPLACE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS WITH
MOPAR

REPLACEMENT

PARTS.

SUBSTITUTE

PARTS MAY APPEAR INTERCHANGEABLE, BUT
INTERNAL DIFFERENCES MAY RESULT IN INFE-
RIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION.
WEAR SAFETY GLASSES, RUBBER GLOVES, AND
LONG

SLEEVED

CLOTHING

WHEN

CLEANING

POWDER RESIDUE FROM VEHICLE AFTER AIRBAG
DEPLOYMENT.

SODIUM

HYDROXIDE

POWDER

RESIDUE EMITTED FROM A DEPLOYED AIRBAG
CAN CAUSE SKIN IRRITATION. FLUSH AFFECTED
AREA WITH COOL WATER IF IRRITATION IS EXPE-
RIENCED. IF NASAL OR THROAT IRRITATION IS
EXPERIENCED, EXIT THE VEHICLE FOR FRESH AIR
UNTIL THE IRRITATION CEASES. IF IRRITATION
CONTINUES, SEE A PHYSICIAN.
DO NOT USE A REPLACEMENT AIRBAG THAT IS
NOT IN THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING, IMPROPER
DEPLOYMENT

AND

PERSONAL

INJURY

CAN

RESULT.
THE FACTORY INSTALLED FASTENERS, SCREWS
AND BOLTS USED TO FASTEN AIRBAG COMPO-
NENTS HAVE A SPECIAL COATING AND ARE SPE-
CIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM.
DO NOT USE SUBSTITUTE FASTENERS, USE ONLY
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FASTENERS LISTED IN THE
PARTS CATALOG WHEN FASTENER REPLACE-
MENT IS REQUIRED.

CAUTION:
Deployed and Nondeployed Air Bags may or may
not have live pyrotechnic material within the air bag
inflator. Do not dispose of Driver and Passenger
Airbags unless you are sure of complete deploy-
ment. Please refer to the Hazardous Substance
Control System for Proper Disposal. Dispose of
deployed air bags in a manner consistent with
state, provincial, local, and federal regulations.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - AIRBAG SYSTEM

(1) With the battery negative remote cable discon-

nected, connect the DRB III

t scan tool to the Data

Link connector.

(2) Turn the ignition key to the ON position. Exit

vehicle with the scan tool.

(3) After checking that no one is inside the vehicle,

connect the battery negative remote terminal.

(4) Read and record the ACTIVE Diagnostic Trou-

ble Code (DTC) data.

(5) Read and record any STORED DTC’s.
(6) Refer to the proper Body Diagnostic Procedures

manual if any DTC’s are found in Step 4 and Step 5.

(7) If the airbag warning lamp either fails to light,

or goes ON and stays ON, there is a system malfunc-

8O - 2

RESTRAINTS

tion. To test the airbag warning lamp (bulb) opera-
tion in the cluster, refer to Electrical, Instrument
Cluster, Diagnosis and Testing - Instrument Cluster.
Refer to the proper Body Diagnostic Procedures man-
ual for any other system problems.

STANDARD PROCEDURE

STANDARD PROCEDURE - HANDLING
AIRBAGS

DEPLOYED AIRBAG

The vehicle interior may contain a very small

amount of sodium hydroxide powder, a by-product of
airbag deployment. Sodium hydroxide powder can
irritate the skin, eyes, nose and throat. Wear safety
glasses, rubber gloves, and long sleeved clothing
when cleaning any of the powder residue from the
vehicle.

If you find that the cleanup is irritating your skin,

run cool water over the affected area. Also, if you
experience nasal or throat irritation, exit the vehicle
for fresh air until the irritation ceases. If irritation
continues, see a physician.

UNDEPLOYED AIRBAG

The airbags must be stored in its original special

container until used for service. At no time should a
source of electricity be permitted near the inflator on
the back of an airbag module. When carrying or han-
dling an undeployed airbag module, the trim side of
the airbag should be pointing away from the body to
minimize possibility of injury if accidental deploy-
ment occurs. Do not place undeployed airbag face
down on a solid surface, the airbag will propel into
the air if accidental deployment occurs.

STANDARD PROCEDURE - SERVICE AFTER AN
AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT

DRIVER AIRBAG

After a Driver Airbag has been deployed due to a

collision, the following MUST be replaced:

• Driver Airbag

• Clock Spring Assembly

• Steering Wheel

• Complete Steering Column Assembly w/Lower

Steering Column Coupler

All other airbag and vehicle components should be

closely inspected following any airbag deployment,
and should be replaced when visible damage is
incurred.

PASSENGER AIRBAG

After a Passenger Airbag has been deployed due to

a collision. the following MUST be replaced:

• Passenger Airbag

• Instrument Panel and Pad Assembly
All other airbag and vehicle components should be

closely inspected following any airbag deployment,
and should be replaced when visible damage is
incurred.

SEAT AIRBAG

After a Seat Airbag has been deployed due to a col-

lision. the following MUST be replaced:

• Complete Seat Back Assembly
All other airbag and vehicle components should be

closely inspected following any airbag deployment,
and should be replaced when visible damage is
incurred.

SEAT BELT TENSIONERS

After a frontal impact where an airbag has been

deployed due to a collision. the following MUST be
replaced:

• Front Seat Belt Buckle (driver and passenger)

with integral Tensioners.

All other seat belts should be closely inspected for

cuts, tears, fraying, or damage in any way following
any frontal impact or airbag deployment. The other
seat belts are to be replaced when visible damage is
incurred.

CLEAN UP PROCEDURE

Roll or fold the airbag towards its mounting point

(i.e. instrument panel, steering wheel, or seat back).
Then tape the ripped cover over the deployed airbag
if applicable.

Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any residual pow-

der from the vehicle interior. Work from the outside
in to avoid kneeling or sitting in a contaminated
area. Vacuum the heater and A/C outlets as well (Fig.
1). If the heater or air conditioner was in RECIRC
mode at time of airbag deployment, operate blower
motor on low speed and vacuum powder residue
expelled from the heater and A/C outlets. Multiple
vacuum cleaning may be necessary to decontaminate
the interior of the vehicle.

RESTRAINTS

8O - 3

RESTRAINTS (Continued)

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