Safety Canopy Modules and Side Air Curtain Modules - In-Vehicle Deployment
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Mariner and 2006 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
WARNING:
- Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
- After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
- Deployment is to be carried out outdoors with all personnel at least 9.14 m (30 ft) away to make sure of personal safety. Due to the loud report which occurs when the safety canopy or side air curtain is deployed, hearing protection is required.
NOTE:
- The safety canopy module deployment for a scrapped vehicle will occur in its installed position in the vehicle.
- A typical safety canopy module disposal is shown that is similar for all vehicles.
- Depower the system. For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEPOWERING AND REPOWERING .
- Access the safety canopy/side air curtain module electrical connectors. For additional information, refer to the appropriate procedure.
- Cut each of the safety canopy/side air curtain module wires leaving at least 4 inches to work with.
- Remove any sheathing (if present) and strip the insulation from the ends of the cut wires.
- For safety canopy/side air curtain modules with multiple squibs, twist together a wire from each squib then repeat for the remaining wires from each squib.
- Make a jumper harness to deploy the safety canopy/side air curtain module.
- Obtain 2 wires (20 gauge minimum) at least 9.14 m (30 ft) long and strip both ends of each wire.
- At one end of the jumper harness, connect the wires together.
- Using the end of the jumper harness that the wires are not connected together, attach each wire of the jumper harness to each wire of the safety canopy/side air curtain module or to the twisted-together wires if multiple squibs. Use tape or other insulating material to make sure that the leads do not make contact with each other.
- From the end of the jumper harness that is not connected to the safety canopy/side air curtain module, disconnect the 2 wires of the jumper harness from each other.
- Deploy the safety canopy/side air curtain module by touching the ends of the 2 wires of the jumper harness to the terminals of a 12-volt battery.
- To allow for cooling, wait at least 10 minutes before approaching the deployed safety canopy/side air curtain module.
- Dispose of the deployed safety canopy/side air curtain module in the same manner as any other part to be scrapped.
NOTE:
Typical safety canopy/side air curtain module with 2 squibs shown, other safety canopy/side air curtain modules with 2 squibs are similar.