Technician Safety Information

WARNING: When servicing a vehicle, always wear eye protection, and remove any metal jewelry such as watch bands or bracelets that might make an inadvertent electrical contact.


WARNING: The fasteners, screws and bolts used for airbag components have special coatings and are specifically designed for the airbag system. They must not be replaced with substitutes. If fastener replacement is required, use the correct fasteners provided in the service package.


NOTE: Service and general information labels about the air bag system can be found on the driver's sun visor, the glove box door, and in the engine compartment.

GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Because this system is a sensitive, complex, electro-mechanical unit, before attempting to diagnose, remove or install any airbag system component, you must first disarm the airbag system as outlined.

Replace airbag components with Chrysler Mopar specified replacement parts only. Substitute parts may appear interchangeable, but internal differences may result in inferior occupant protection.

Ensure no one is inside the vehicle when the airbag system is rearmed as outlined under "Arming & Disarming Of System."

DIAGNOSING A MALFUNCTION
Do not sit in the vehicle, when using a scan tool to diagnose an air bag system problem, operate the scan tool from outside the vehicle. Remember, you are diagnosing a malfunction in the system.

IF DEPLOYMENT HAS OCCURRED
Avoid prolonged contact with the powdery residue that has settled on the interior surfaces of the vehicle. Irritation of the skin and or eyes could occur.
- If any irritation occurs, rinse the skin and eyes with cool water.
- If the irritation continues, seek the advice of a physician.

HANDLING & STORAGE OF LIVE MODULE
At no time should any source of electricity be permitted near the inflator on the back of the module. When carrying a live module, the trim cover of the drivers airbag or the paper like "Tyvek" cover of the passenger airbag, should be pointed away from the body to minimize injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

When handling a steering column with an airbag module attached, never place column on floor or other surface with steering wheel or module face down. When handling a passenger airbag module, never place it on a surface with the paper like "Tyvek" cover face down and the saddle brackets pointing up.

HANDLING OF DEPLOYED MODULE
The vehicle interior may contain a very small amount of sodium hydroxide powder, a by-product of airbag deployment. Since this powder can irritate the skin, eyes, nose or throat, wear safety glasses, rubber gloves, particle dust mask and protective clothing with long sleeves during cleanup.

If you find that the cleanup is irritating your skin, run cool water over affected area. Also, if you experience nasal or throat irritation, exit vehicle for fresh air until irritation ceases. If irritation persists, see a physician.

CLEAN UP PROCEDURE
Wear safety glasses, rubber gloves, particle dust mask and protective clothing with long sleeves, then place tape over exhaust vents in the airbag so that no additional powder will escape into the vehicle. Roll or fold passengers airbag toward the instrument panel surface and close the cover over the folded airbag. Tape the cover closed. Remove the drivers airbag module from the vehicle then the passengers airbag module.

Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any residual powder from the vehicle interior working from the outside to the center of the vehicle. Be sure to vacuum the heater and A/C ducts as well. Run the blower motor on low speed and vacuum any powder expelled from the plenum. It may be necessary to vacuum the interior of the vehicle a second time to ensure all powder is recovered.

VEHICLE SCRAPPING
Prior to scrapping a vehicle equipped with an airbag, the airbag module must be deployed. Refer to "Air Bag Systems/Service and Repair/Airbag Module Deployment" for proper deployment procedures.

AIRBAG DISPOSAL PROCEDURE
Place deployed bag and module in a suitable automotive scrap bin.