Air Bag Modules

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 1995 Dodge Dakota. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The driver-side air bag module is mounted on front face of steering wheel. The passenger-side air bag module (if equipped) is located above the glove box and is mounted to instrument panel retainer, knee bolster and glove box. On both air bag modules, the module's inflator assembly produces nitrogen gas to fill air bag. When a small amount of current from ACM is applied, initiator assembly starts a thermal reaction that spreads an ignitor charge.

Surrounding ignitor charge is a pellet-filled canister, which produces nitrogen gas. Gas pressure builds and discharges from inflator through a diffuser and screen assembly, forcing steering wheel cover and cover on instrument panel to burst along their seams until air bags are fully inflated. Once air bags are fully inflated, gas escapes through vents located on back of bag.