Principles of Operation: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford F-550 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-350 Super Duty, and 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The RCM continuously receives/monitors all inputs from the following SRS components:

Front impact severity sensor
Driver and passenger front door side impact sensors (if equipped)
Driver and passenger C-pillar side impact sensors (if equipped)
Safety belt buckle switch (driver side only)
Safing and rollover sensors internal to the RCM (if equipped)

If the RCM detects sudden vehicle deceleration and/or lateral deceleration based on information received from sensors and switches and determines that deployment is required, the RCM sends voltage and current to deploy the appropriate SRS components.

The RCM contains an internal sensor that detects vehicle rollover angles. If the RCM determines that a rollover condition exists and deployment is required, the RCM deploys the applicable SRS components.

During a frontal or side crash, the RCM may deploy the following SRS components, based on crash severity and sensor input.

Driver and passenger safety belt retractor pretensioners
Driver and passenger single-stage airbags (if equipped)
Safety Canopy® (if equipped)
Driver and passenger seat side airbags (if equipped)

The fact that the safety belt retractor pretensioner or airbags did not activate for both front seat occupants in a crash does not mean that something is wrong with the SRS system.

The RCM performs a self-test of the complete SRS during each startup. If an SRS fault exists, the airbag warning indicator illuminates and remains illuminated for the rest of the ignition cycle. In addition to the self-test at start up, the RCM continuously monitors all of its SRS components and circuitry for correct operation.