Service Precautions

These precautions should be observed when working with air bag systems:

• Disable air bag system before servicing any air bag system or steering column component. Failure to do this could result in accidental air bag deployment and possible personal injury. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM  .
• Back-up power supply maintains deployment voltage for about 2 minutes after battery is disconnected. When disabling air bag system, always wait at least 2 minutes, after disconnecting battery cables, to resume procedure.
• After repairs, ensure SRS/AIR BAG warning light works properly and no system faults are indicated. See procedures under SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK  .
• Always wear safety glasses when servicing or handling an air bag.
• All SRS component fasteners are specially coated, and are designed with a specific function. Never replace SRS component fasteners with other than original equipment parts.
• Air bag module must be stored in its original special container until used for service. It must be stored in a clean, dry place, away from sources of extreme heat, sparks, and high electrical energy.
• When placing a live air bag on a bench or other surface, always face air bag and trim cover up and away from surface. This will reduce motion of module if accidentally deployed.
• After deployment, air bag surface may contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, which irritates skin. Always wear safety glasses, rubber gloves, and long-sleeved shirt during clean-up, and wash hands using mild soap and water. Follow correct disposal procedures. See DISPOSAL PROCEDURES  .
• Because of critical system operating requirements, DO NOT attempt to service any air bag components. Corrections are only made by replacing defective part.
• Electrical sources should never be allowed near inflator on back of air bag module.
• When carrying a live air bag module, trim cover should be pointed away from your body to minimize injury in case of deployment.
• When testing voltage or continuity at Air Bag Control Module (ACM), use terminal side (not wire end) of connector.
• DO NOT probe a wire through insulator, as this will damage it and eventually cause failure.
• Replace clockspring whenever driver-side air bag deploys.
• When performing electrical tests, prevent accidental shorting of terminals. Such shorts can damage fuses or components and may cause a second fault code to set, making diagnosis of original problem more difficult.
• When diagnosing air bag system, use DRB volt/ohmmeter unless instructed to use an external volt/ohmmeter. NEVER use an analog volt-ohmmeter or test light in place of a digital volt/ohmmeter.
• When using DRB to diagnose an air bag system problem, operate DRB from outside of vehicle. DO NOT sit inside of vehicle.
• Never use an ohmmeter to measure resistance of air bag module. Accidental air bag deployment may occur, causing personal injury.
• If air bag system is not fully functional for any reason, vehicle should not be driven until system is repaired and again becomes operational. DO NOT remove bulbs, modules, sensors or other components or in any way disable system from operating normally. If air bag system is not functional, park vehicle until it is repaired and functions properly.
• When battery is disconnected, vehicle computer and memory systems may lose memory data. Driveability problems may exist until computer systems have completed a relearn cycle. See COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES in GENERAL INFORMATION before disconnecting battery.