Service Precautions: Notes

Observe these precautions 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.
• After an accident, inspect all SIR components, including harness and brackets. Replace any damaged or bent components, even if a deployment did not occur. Check steering column, knee bolster, instrument panel steering column reinforcement plate and lower brace for damage. DO NOT service resistor module, inflator module, coil assembly, discriminating sensors, arming sensor or Diagnostic Energy Reserve Module (DERM). Replace these components if damaged or defective.
• Always wear safety glasses when servicing or handling an air bag.
• 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 or high electrical energy.
• When placing a live air bag module on a bench or other surface, always face air bag and trim cover up, away from surface. This will reduce motion of module if accidentally deployed.
• After deployment, air bag surface may contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, which can irritate 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.
• At no time should any electrical source 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.
• DO NOT probe a wire through insulator; this will damage it and eventually cause failure due to corrosion.
• Coil assembly must be replaced whenever air bag deploys.
• When performing electrical tests, prevent accidental shorting of terminals. Such mistakes can damage fuses or components and may cause a second Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) to set, making diagnosis of original problem more difficult.
• When using diagnostic charts to diagnose air bag system, DO NOT use volt-ohmmeter, test light or any type of electrical equipment not specified by manufacturer. See SPECIAL TOOLS.
• If air bag system is not fully functional for any reason, vehicle should not be driven until system is repaired. 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 repairs can be made.