Description & Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Mazda 626. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Accidental air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. Read and follow all WARNINGS and AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS before working on air bag system or related components.

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), also known as air bag system, is designed to provide increased accident protection for driver and passenger by deploying air bags in a front-end collision. The air bag system is designed to be used in conjunction with 3-point seat belts. The air bag system consists of AIR BAG warning light, driver-side air bag module, passenger-side air bag module, left side air bag module, right side air bag module, side air bag sensors, clockspring, SAS control unit (air bag diagnosis control unit) and wiring harness. See COMPONENT LOCATIONS .

The air bag is designed to deploy in a collision when the ignition is in ON or START positions, the crash sensor (integral to SAS control unit) senses adequate deceleration, and the SAS control unit logic circuits determine that the impact is sufficient to warrant deployment.

During a side impact of sufficient force, contacts in side air bag sensor close to complete the circuit, and the SAS control unit logic circuits determine that the side impact is sufficient to warrant deployment of side air bag.

The SAS control unit monitors the air bag system for failures. If a failure occurs, the SAS control unit turns the AIR BAG warning light on. If AIR BAG warning light is burned out, SAS control unit will sound a buzzer to alert driver of a system malfunction.