Deploying Airbags in the Vehicle

If an SRS equipped vehicle is to be entirely scrapped, its airbags, side airbags, side curtain airbags, and seat belt tensioners, should be deployed while still in the vehicle. These parts should not be considered as salvageable parts and should never be installed in another vehicle.

1. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0). Do the 12 volt battery terminal disconnection procedure (see 12 VOLT BATTERY TERMINAL DISCONNECTION AND RECONNECTION ), then wait at least 3 minutes before starting work.
2. Confirm that each airbag, side airbag, side curtain airbag, or seat belt tensioner is securely mounted.
3. Confirm that the deployment tool is functioning properly by following the check procedure on the tool label.

Driver's Airbag 

4. Remove the access panel (A) from the steering wheel, then disconnect the driver's airbag 4P connector (B) from the cable reel.
   Fig 1: Identifying Access Panel And Steering Wheel

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Front Passenger's Airbag 

5. Lower the glove box (see step 1 GLOVE BOX STRIKER REPLACEMENT ).
6. Disconnect the dashboard wire harness (A) from the front passenger's airbag 4P connector.
   Fig 2: Identifying Dashboard Wire Harness

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Side Airbag 

7. Disconnect the side airbag 2P connectors (A) from the floor wire harness.
   Fig 3: Identifying Side Airbag 2P Connectors

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
8. Remove the C-pillar trim (see C-PILLAR TRIM ).

Side Curtain Airbag 

9. Disconnect the wire harness 2P connector (A) from the side curtain airbag.
   Fig 4: Identifying Wire Harness 2P Connector

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Seat Belt Tensioner 

10. Remove the B-pillar lower trim (see B-PILLAR UPPER/LOWER TRIM ).
11. Disconnect the floor wire harness 4P connectors (A) from the seat belt tensioner. Pull the seat belt out all the way and cut it.
    Fig 5: Identifying Floor Wire Harness 4P Connectors

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
12. Cut off each connector, and strip the ends of the wires. Twist each pair of unlike colored wires together, and clip an alligator clip (A) from the deployment tool to each pair.
    NOTE:

    • Place the deployment tool at least 30 ft (10 m) away from the vehicle.
    • The driver's and front passenger's airbags have dual inflators. Twist each pair of unlike colored wires together, and clip an alligator clip to each pair.
    Fig 6: Placing Deployment Tool From Vehicle

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
13. Connect a 12 volt battery to the tool.
    • If the green light on the tool comes on, the igniter circuit is defective and cannot deploy the component. Go to DISPOSAL OF DAMAGED COMPONENTS .
    • If the red light on the tool comes on, the component is ready to be deployed.
14. Push the tool's deployment switch. The airbags and tensioners should deploy (deployment is both highly audible and visible: A loud noise and rapid inflation of the bag, followed by slow deflation).
    • If the components deploy and the green light on the tool comes on, continue with this procedure.
    • If a component does not deploy, and the green light comes ON, its igniter is defective. Go to DISPOSAL OF DAMAGED COMPONENTS .
    • During deployment, the airbags can become hot enough to burn you. Wait for 30 minutes after deployment before touching the airbags.
15. Dispose of the complete airbag. No part of it can be reused. Place it in a sturdy plastic bag (A), and seal it securely. Dispose of the deployed airbag according to your local regulations.
    Fig 7: Identifying Plastic Bag

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.