Air Bag Safety Precautions

Observe the following precautions when working with SIR system:

• SDM maintains sufficient voltage to cause air bag deployment for up to one minute after ignition switch is turned off, fuse powering SDM is removed or battery is disconnected. Disable air bag system before working on vehicle. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM .
• If vehicle interior is exposed to moisture and becomes soaked up to level of SDM, SDM and harness connector must be replaced. SDM could be activated when powered, causing air bag deployment.
• Driver-side and passenger-side air bag modules are dual stage air bags. Even if air bag module has deployed, never assume both stages have deployed.
• After repairs, ensure AIR BAG warning light is working properly and no system faults are indicated. See SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK .
• Always wear safety glasses when servicing or handling an air bag module or seat belt pretensioner.
• Air bag modules must be stored in original special containers until used for service. Store in a clean, dry place, away from sources of extreme heat, sparks, or high electrical energy.
• SIR components should not be subjected to temperatures greater than 150°F (65°C ).
• SIR components should not be used if they have been dropped from a height of 3 feet (0.9 m) or greater.
• When placing a live air bag module on a bench or other surface, always make certain that trim cover faces up. This will reduce motion of module if accidentally deployed.
• After deployment, air bag surface may contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, which can irritate skin. Always wear safety glasses, rubber gloves and long-sleeved shirt during clean-up and wash hands using mild soap and water. Follow correct disposal procedures. See DISPOSAL PROCEDURES .
• At no time should any electrical source be allowed near inflator on back of air bag module.
• DO NOT apply power to SIR system unless all components are connected or a diagnostic test requests it, as this will set a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC).
• When carrying a live air bag module, trim cover should be pointed away from body to minimize injury in case of accidental deployment.
• When carrying a live seat belt pretensioner, piston sleeve should be pointed away from body to minimize injury in case of accidental deployment.
• DO NOT attempt to service any SIR component. All defective SIR components must be replaced.
• DO NOT probe a wire through insulator; this damages wire and eventually causes failure due to corrosion.
• When performing electrical tests, prevent accidental shorting of terminals. Such mistakes can damage fuses or components and may cause a second Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) to set, making diagnosis of original problem more difficult.
• When using diagnostic tests to diagnose SIR system, under no circumstances should a volt/ohmmeter, test light or any type of electrical equipment not specified by manufacturer be used.
• If SIR system is not fully functional for any reason, vehicle should not be driven until system is repaired. DO NOT remove bulbs, modules, sensors or other components or in any way disable system from operating normally.