Dashboard / Instrument Panel: Service Precautions

WARNING: SAFE HANDLING OF AIR BAG MODULES REQUIRES FOLLOWING THE PROCEDURES DESCRIBED BELOW FOR BOTH LIVE AND DEPLOYED AIR BAGS. ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WHEN SERVICING AN AIR BAG VEHICLE, AND WHEN HANDLING AN AIR BAG.

LIVE AIR BAGS

WHEN CARRYING A LIVE AIR BAG, MAKE SURE THE BAG AND TRIM COVER ARE POINTED AWAY FROM YOUR BODY. IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT OF AN ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT, THE BAG WILL THEN DEPLOY WITH MINIMAL CHANCE OF INJURY. IN ADDITION, WHEN PLACING A LIVE AIR BAG ON A BENCH OR OTHER SURFACE, ALWAYS FACE THE BAG AND TRIM COVER UP, AWAY FROM THE SURFACE. THIS WILL REDUCE THE MOTION OF THE MODULE IF IT IS ACCIDENTALLY DEPLOYED.

DEPLOYED AIR BAGS

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS MUST ALSO BE OBSERVED WHEN HANDLING A DEPLOYED AIR BAG. ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES AND SAFETY GLASSES WHEN HANDLING A DEPLOYED AIR BAG. AFTER DEPLOYMENT, THE AIR BAG SURFACE MAY CONTAIN DEPOSITS OF SODIUM HYDROXIDE, A PRODUCT OF THE GAS GENERANT COMBUSTION THAT IS IRRITATING TO THE SKIN. WASH YOUR HANDS WITH MILD SOAP AND WATER AFTERWARDS

General Instructions
After all service, verify the air bag indicator. This means:

- Turn the ignition switch to RUN and count the flashes only after the code (series of flashes) has cycled twice.

- If the air bag indicator comes on continuously for four to eight seconds and then goes out, the system is functioning properly and all faults have been serviced.


Steering Column Tube
If the accident involved an air bag deployment, the steering column tube may have been loaded sufficiently to deform steering column mounting brackets or damage column wiring. An inspection should be made of the steering column tube structure and clockspring wiring to insure that any damaged components are replaced.

Air Bag System
Prior to attempting diagnostic tryout on a serviced vehicle, thoroughly check all sensors and wiring for damage and pinch condition which may cause the air bag diagnostic monitor internal fuse to blow.