Description & Operation: Notes

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

WARNING: To avoid injury from accidental air bag deployment, read and carefully follow all WARNINGS and SERVICE PRECAUTIONS.

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is designed to work in conjunction with seat belts to increase protection from serious injury during a front-end collision. The air bag, stored in a module in steering wheel hub, inflates in 1/10th of a second when impact sensors close. This creates a cushion between driver and steering wheel.

SRS consists of an AIR BAG warning light, clockspring, air bag module, Air Bag Control System Diagnostic Module (ASDM), and 3 impact sensors. The ASDM contains one of the impact sensors, which is called the safing sensor. The ASDM monitors system, stores fault codes (messages), and provides information to AIR BAG warning light and ASDM data link connector. A fault code is stored when AIR BAG warning light is activated for more than 12 seconds.

The deceleration ("G" force) resulting from impact of a front-end collision causes a switch inside ASDM safing sensor to close. As soon as both the front impact sensor and safing sensor switches close, ASDM switches current flow to inflator (also known as squib or initiator) via clockspring. Inflator, located inside air bag module, actuates and quickly produces a large quantity of nitrogen gas, inflating air bag.