Air Bag Systems: Tools and Equipment

You should be familiar with the tools in this service category listed under the heading Special Tools. You should know how to measure voltage and resistance.

Diagnosis requires proper use of the following tools:
^ The J 38125-B Terminal Repair Kit.
^ The J 38826 SIR Deployment Harness.
^ The J 39200 Digital Multimeter.
^ The J 35616-A Connector Test Adapter Kit.
^ The J 39401-B SIR Deployment Fixture.
^ Scan Tool.

Special Tools Descriptions
J 35616-A Connector Test Adapter Kit
Use the J 35616-A Connector Test Adapter kit whenever a diagnostic procedure requests testing or probing a terminal. Using the appropriate adapter will ensure that no damage to the terminal occurs from the DMM probe, such as spreading or bending. The adapter will also give an idea of whether contact tension is sufficient. This helps to find an open or intermittent open due to poor terminal contact.

J 38125-B Terminal Repair Kit
Use the J 38125-B Terminal Repair kit for SIR wiring repair. This kit contains a special crimping tool, heat torch, arid sealed splices. Do not use the terminals in the kit in order to replace damaged SIR system terminals unless specifically indicated by the terminal package.

J 38715-A SIR Driver/Passenger Load Tool
Use the J 38715-A SIR Driver/Passenger Load Tool only when the SIR diagnostics call for use. The Load Tool is used as a diagnostic aid and a safety device in order to prevent inadvertent inflator module deployment.
The load tool has 4 yellow connectors attached to the case. The 3 small connectors are electrically functional and serve as resistive load substitutions. The large dummy connector does not serve as a load substitution and is not used. Do not use more than 2 connectors at any time.
One of the small connectors is used in order to substitute the load of the supplemental Restraint Steering Wheel Module The connector is connected at the top of the column to the supplemental Restraint Steering Wheel Module Coil. Use 1 of the following adapters in order to connect the load tool to the Steering Wheel Module Coil:
^ The J 38715 - 5 SIR Load Tool Adapter (pigtail connector).
^ The J 38715 - 30 Steering Column SIR Load Tool Adapter (integral connector).

A second small connector is used in order to substitute the load of the supplemental Restraint Steering Wheel Module and the supplemental Restraint Steering Wheel Module Coil. The second small connector is connected at the base of the column to the SIR wiring harness. The third small connector is used to substitute for the load of the supplemental Restraint IP module. The third small connector is connected to the supplemental Restraint IP module harness connector.

Substitute the resistance of the inflator module in order to determine whether an inflator circuit component is causing a system malfunction. Use the load tool only when specifically called for in the diagnostic procedures.

J 38715 - 96 SIR Shorting Bar Tool
Use the J 35715 - 96 SIR Shorting Bar Tool only when the SIR diagnostics call for use. The shorting bar tool lifts one side of the shorting bar on the supplemental Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) harness connector. The Connector Position Assurance (CPA) lifts the opposite side of the shorting bar. When the CPA and the shorting bar tool are installed, the warning lamp circuit is disconnected from the ground circuit turning the warning lamp OFF.

J 38826 SIR Deployment Harness
Use the J 38826 SIR Deployment Harness in order to deploy a driver inflator module outside of the vehicle. Use 1 of the following adapters in order to connect the deployment harness to the inflator module:
^ The J 38826 - 20 SIR Deployment Harness Adapter (pigtail connector).
^ The J 38826 - 50 SIR Deployment Harness Adapter (integral connector).

J 39200 Digital Multimeter
The J 39200 Digital Multimeter (DMM) is the preferred DMM for use in SIR diagnosis and repair. The J 34029-A may be used if the J 39200 is not available. No other DMMs are approved for SIR diagnosis and repair.

J 39401-B SIR Deployment Fixture
Use the J 39401-B SIR Deployment Fixture when deploying passenger frontal air bags, side impact air bags, or seat belt pretensioners outside of the vehicle. Use the deployment fixture in order to secure the module for deployment.

Scan Tool
Use the scan tool for the following reasons:
^ In order to read and clear SIR system diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs)
^ In order to provide SIR system circuit values using the data list function
Refer to the scan tool operator's manual for specific information on how to use the scan tool.