Air Bag Safety Precautions

Observe these precautions when servicing the air bag system:

• Disable air bag system before servicing any air bag system or steering column component. Failure to do so could result in accidental air bag deployment and possible personal injury. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM .
• Wait for 10 seconds or more after disabling air bag system before servicing. System maintains air bag system voltage for about ten seconds. Servicing air bag system before ten seconds have passed may cause accidental air bag deployment and possible personal injury.
• After repairs, ensure AIR BAG warning light is working properly and no system faults are indicated. See SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK .
• Always wear safety glasses when servicing or handling an air bag module.
• 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.
• If vehicle will be exposed to temperatures over 200°F (93°C ) as in paint baking process, remove air bag components to avoid damage to components or accidental deployment.
• Ensure air bag wire harness and connectors are covered to prevent contamination with paint mist.
• Never use air bag components from another vehicle.
• When placing a live air bag module on a bench or other surface, always make certain that the trim cover (finished side) is 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 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 accidental deployment.
• DO NOT probe a wire through insulation as damage to wire can result and eventually cause failure due to corrosion.
• When performing electrical tests, prevent accidental shorting of terminals. Such mistakes can damage fuses or components and may cause a second fault code to set, making diagnosis of original problem more difficult.
• 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.
• When using diagnostic charts to diagnose air bag system, under no circumstances should a volt/ohmmeter, test light or any type of electrical equipment not specified by manufacturer be used.