Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 241

2 N.m (20 in. lbs.).  

3. Reconnect the two seat wire harness connectors to the OCM connector receptacles located on the 

forward-facing end of the module. Be certain that the latches on each connector are fully engaged.  

4. 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. See 
VERIFICATION TEST - SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM.  

5. Following successful completion of the SRS verification test procedure, perform the Occupant 

Classification System Verification Test using a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic 
procedures.  

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROLLER 

DESCRIPTION 

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROLLER 

Fig. 49: Identifying Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC), Electrical Connector Receptacle, Label, 
Arrow & Mounting Bracket 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) (1) is secured with four screws to a molded plastic mounting bracket 
(5). The mounting bracket and ORC unit is then secured with two nuts and two screws to a stamped steel 
mounting bracket welded onto the top of the floor panel transmission tunnel between the two front seats beneath 
the floor console and rearward of the transmission gearshift mechanism in the passenger compartment of the 
vehicle. Concealed within a hollow in the center of the molded plastic ORC housing is the electronic circuitry 
of the ORC which includes a microprocessor, an electronic impact sensor, an electronic safing sensor, and an 
energy storage capacitor. A molded plastic end cover plate with a rubber O-ring seal is secured to the open end 
of the ORC housing with two integral latch features to enclose and protect the internal electronic circuitry and 
components. 

An arrow (4) printed on the label (3) on the top of the ORC housing provides a visual verification of the proper 
orientation of the unit, and should always be pointed toward the front of the vehicle. The ORC housing has four 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

  

integral mounting flanges with metal sleeves to provide crush protection. Two molded plastic electrical 
connector receptacles (2) are integral to the end cover plate. These receptacles connect the ORC to the vehicle 
electrical system through dedicated take outs and connectors from the instrument panel and the body wire 
harnesses. 

The impact sensor and safing sensor internal to the ORC are calibrated for the specific vehicle, and are only 
serviced as a unit with the ORC. The ORC cannot be repaired or adjusted and, if damaged or ineffective, it must 
be replaced as a unit with the molded plastic mounting bracket. 

OPERATION 

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROLLER 

The microprocessor in the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) contains the Supplemental Restraint System 
(SRS) logic circuits and controls all of the SRS components. The ORC uses On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) and 
can communicate with other electronic modules in the vehicle as well as with the diagnostic scan tool using the 
Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus. This method of communication is used for control of the airbag 
indicator in the Electro Mechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) (also known as the Cab Compartment 
Node/CCN) and for SRS diagnosis and testing through the 16-way data link connector located on the driver side 
lower edge of the instrument panel. Refer to OPERATION . 

The ORC microprocessor continuously monitors all of the SRS electrical circuits to determine the system 
readiness. If the ORC detects a monitored system fault, it sets an active and stored Diagnostic Trouble Code 
(DTC) and sends electronic messages to the EMIC over the CAN data bus to turn ON the airbag indicator. An 
active fault only remains for the duration of the fault, or in some cases for the duration of the current ignition 
switch cycle, while a stored fault causes a DTC to be stored in memory by the ORC. For some DTCs, if a fault 
does not recur for a number of ignition cycles, the ORC will automatically erase the stored DTC. For other 
internal faults, the stored DTC is latched forever. 

On vehicles so equipped, the ORC provides voltage to the seat track position sensors on the inboard passenger 
and driver side front seat upper seat tracks. The ORC then monitors return inputs from each of the sensors on 
dedicated hard wired data communication circuits. The seat track position sensors provide additional logic 
inputs to the ORC microprocessor that allow it to determine the position of the front seat passenger and the 
driver relative to the front airbags for determining the force level with which to deploy the multistage front 
airbags. 

On vehicles equipped with the Occupant Classification System (OCS), the ORC communicates with the 
Occupant Classification Module (OCM) over the CAN data bus. The ORC will internally disable the passenger 
airbag and seat belt tensioner deployment circuits if the OCM detects that the passenger side front seat is 
unoccupied or that it is occupied by a load that is inappropriate for an airbag deployment. The ORC also 
provides a control output to the passenger airbag on/off indicator through the passenger airbag indicator driver 
circuit. The OCM notifies the ORC when it has detected a monitored system fault and stored a DTC in its 
memory for any ineffective OCS component or circuit, then the ORC sets a DTC and controls the airbag 
indicator operation accordingly. 

The ORC receives battery current through two circuits; a fused ignition switch output (run) circuit through a 
fuse in the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), and a fused ignition switch output (run-start) circuit 
through a second fuse in the TIPM. The ORC receives ground through a ground circuit and take out of the 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

  

instrument panel wire harness. These connections allow the ORC to be operational whenever the ignition switch 
is in the START or ON positions. Refer to the appropriate wiring information for additional details. 

The ORC also contains an energy-storage capacitor. When the ignition switch is in the START or ON positions, 
this capacitor is continually being charged with enough electrical energy to deploy the SRS components for up 
to one second following a battery disconnect or failure. The purpose of the capacitor is to provide backup SRS 
protection in case there is a loss of battery current supply to the ORC during an impact. 

Two sensors are contained within the ORC, an electronic impact sensor and a safing sensor. The ORC also 
monitors inputs from two remote front impact sensors located on the back of the right and left ends of the front 
end module carrier inboard of the headlamps near the front of the vehicle. The electronic impact sensors are 
accelerometers that sense the rate of vehicle deceleration, which provides verification of the direction and 
severity of an impact. The ORC also monitors inputs from an internal rollover sensor and four additional remote 
impact sensors located on the left and right inner B and C-pillars to control deployment of the side curtain 
airbag units. 

The safing sensor is an electronic accelerometer sensor within the ORC that provides an additional logic input 
to the ORC microprocessor. The safing sensor is used to verify the need for a SRS component deployment by 
detecting impact energy of a lesser magnitude than that of the primary electronic impact sensors, and must 
exceed a safing threshold in order for the airbags to deploy. A second safing sensor within the ORC provides 
confirmation to the ORC microprocessor of side impact forces. This second safing sensor is a bi-directional unit 
that detects impact forces from either side of the vehicle. 

Pre-programmed decision algorithms in the ORC microprocessor determine when the deceleration rate as 
signaled by the impact sensors and the safing sensors indicate an impact that is severe enough to require SRS 
protection and, based upon the severity of the monitored impact, determines the level of front airbag 
deployment force required for each front seating position. When the programmed conditions are met, the ORC 
sends the proper electrical signals to deploy the dual multistage front airbags at the programmed force levels, 
the front seat belt tensioners and either side curtain airbag unit. For vehicles equipped with the OCS, the 
passenger side front airbag and seat belt tensioner will be deployed by the ORC only if enabled by the OCM 
messages (passenger airbag on/off indicator OFF) at the time of the impact. 

The hard wired inputs and outputs for the ORC may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and 
procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. However, conventional diagnostic methods will not 
prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the ORC or the electronic controls or communication between other 
modules and devices that provide features of the supplemental restraint system. The most reliable, efficient, and 
accurate means to diagnose the ORC or the electronic controls and communication related to ORC operation 
requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information. 

REMOVAL 

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROLLER 

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with side curtain 
airbags, disable the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) before 
attempting any Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) diagnosis or service. 
The ORC contains a rollover sensor, which enables the system to deploy 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

  

the side airbags in the event of a vehicle rollover event. If an ORC is 
accidentally rolled during service while still connected to battery power, 
the side curtain airbags will deploy. 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 on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable 
the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) before attempting any steering 
wheel, steering column, airbag, Occupant Classification System (OCS), 
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, never strike or drop the Occupant 
Restraint Controller (ORC), as it can damage the impact sensor or affect 
its calibration. The ORC contains the impact sensor, which enables the 
system to deploy the SRS components. If an ORC is accidentally dropped 
during service, the module must be scrapped and replaced with a new 
unit. Failure to observe this warning could result in accidental, 
incomplete, or improper SRS component deployment.

CAUTION: On vehicles equipped with the Occupant Classification System (OCS), 

never replace both the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) and the 
Occupant Classification Module (OCM) at the same time. If both require 
replacement, replace one. Then perform the Supplemental Restraint 
System (SRS) verification test before replacing the other. Both the ORC 
and the OCM store OCS calibration data, which they transfer to one 
another when one of them is replaced. If both are replaced at the same 
time, an irreversible fault will be set in both modules.

NOTE:

The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) should only be removed as a 
complete unit with the molded plastic mounting bracket. The service 
replacement ORC is supplied already installed on a new bracket.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro