Description And Operation: Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2020 Jeep Renegade. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The Passenger AirBag (PAB) ON/OFF indicator gives an indication when the passenger seat is occupied and the PAB and seat belt tensioner deployment circuits are enabled or disabled by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). This indicator is controlled by a transistor within the ORC through hardwired outputs based upon electronic passenger airbag status request messages received by the ORC from the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus. The IPC messages to the ORC are based upon the status of a setup routine performed through the IPC by the vehicle operator.

The PAB ON/OFF indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) units are completely controlled by the ORC. The LED units receive a battery current input on a fused ignition output (RUN) circuit. Therefore, the LED units will always be off when the status of the ignition is anything except ON. The LED units only illuminate when they are provided a path to ground by the ORC transistor. The IPC will request the ORC to turn on the PAB ON/OFF indicators for the following reasons:

Bulb Test - Each time the status of the ignition transitions to ON the PAB ON/OFF indicators are illuminated for about eight seconds.
Passenger AirBag Disabled - Each time the ORC receives an electronic message from the IPC indicating the setup routine has requested the PAB be disabled, the PAB and seat belt tensioner deployment circuits are deactivated and the PAB OFF indicator will be illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until the ORC receives an electronic message from the IPC indicating the setup routine has requested the PAB be enabled, or until the status of the ignition transitions to OFF, whichever occurs first.
Passenger AirBag Enabled - Each time the ORC receives an electronic message from the IPC indicating the setup routine has requested the PAB be enabled, the PAB and seat belt tensioner deployment circuits are activated and the PAB ON indicator will be illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until the ORC receives an electronic message from the IPC indicating the setup routine has requested the PAB be disabled, or until the status of the ignition transitions to OFF, whichever occurs first.
Communication Error - If the ORC receives invalid messages or no messages from the IPC the PAB ON/OFF indicator status remains as it was when the last valid message was received. The ORC will also maintain the PAB deployment status as it was when the last valid message was received. The ORC and IPC will set a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) and will illuminate the airbag indicator in the IPC when a communication error has been detected. The PAB indicator remains illuminated in the current status until the ORC receives a valid message from the IPC, or until the status of the ignition transitions to OFF, whichever occurs first.

The ORC continually monitors the messages from the IPC to decide whether the PAB and seat belt tensioner deployment circuits should be activated or deactivated. The IPC provides the proper messages to the ORC, and the ORC provides the proper control output to turn the appropriate PAB ON/OFF indicator ON.

The hardwired circuits between the PAB ON/OFF indicator and the ORC may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. However, conventional diagnostic methods will not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the PAB ON/OFF indicator or the electronic controls and communication between other modules and devices that provide the features of this indicator. The most reliable, efficient and accurate means to diagnose the PAB ON/OFF indicator or the electronic controls and communication related to PAB ON/OFF indicator operation requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.