Description & Operation: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Mercury Villager. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Accidental air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. Read and follow all WARNINGS and AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS before working on air bag system or related components.

The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), or air bag system, is designed to provide increased accident protection for the driver and passenger, by deploying air bags and front seat belt pretensioners in a front-end collision. The air bag system will function with the ignition switch in ON and START position and can function when the driver and passenger seats are unoccupied. The air bags, stored in center of steering wheel and in passenger-side dash above the glove box, deploy in approximately 40 milliseconds after the impact sensors close. The air bag system is designed to be used with 3-point seat belts.

During a front-end collision, the safing sensor and the impact sensor, must activate simultaneously to inflate air bags and seat belt pretensioners.

The air bag system includes the following components: air bag diagnostic monitor (incorporating an impact and a safing sensor), driver-side air bag module, passenger-side air bag module, right and left front seat belt pretensioners, AIR BAG warning light, clockspring (sliding contact), and associated wiring harnesses. See COMPONENT LOCATIONS .