Air Bag Module
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 1994 Plymouth Sundance, 1994 Plymouth Acclaim, 1994 Dodge Spirit, 1994 Dodge Shadow, and 1994 Chrysler LeBaron. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The air bag module is mounted on front face of steering wheel. See Fig 1 . The module's inflator assembly produces nitrogen gas to fill air bag. When a small amount of current from ASDM is applied, the ignitor assembly (also known as squib or initiator) starts a thermal reaction that spreads an ignitor charge.
Surrounding the ignitor charge is a pellet-filled area, which produces nitrogen gas. Gas pressure builds and discharges from inflator through a diffuser and screen assembly, forcing steering wheel cover to burst along its seams until air bag is fully inflated. Once air bag is fully inflated, gas escapes from bag through vents, away from driver.