Passenger Air Bag - Description

DESCRIPTION





The horizontal surface of the instrument panel top pad (1) above the beverage cooler bin (2) is the most visible part of the passenger airbag. The passenger airbag door is integral to the top of the instrument panel top pad forward of the beverage cooler bin opening and above the glove box on the instrument panel in front of the front seat passenger seating position.





Located below the passenger airbag door area of the instrument panel top pad (2), the molded thermoplastic passenger airbag retainer (1) is secured to the underside of the top pad. The retainer defines the airbag door breakout area of the top pad and serves as the receptacle for the passenger airbag cushion and housing. Numerous small window openings on the forward and rearward flanges of the receptacle receive mating hook formations stamped into the airbag housing, which locate and secure the housing to the top pad.





The passenger airbag unit (1) is also secured by two studs and nuts through two stamped mounting straps and studs (3) to the instrument panel structural support. The passenger airbag unit used in this vehicle is a multistage type that complies with revised federal airbag standards to deploy with less force than those used in some prior vehicles. The passenger airbag unit consists of a stamped metal housing, the airbag cushion, and the airbag inflator (2). The airbag inflator is secured to the housing by four screws and nuts. The airbag housing contains the folded airbag cushion. An approximately 66 centimeter (26 inch) wide by 76 centimeter (30 inch) high rectangular fabric cushion is used.

The airbag inflator is a non-azide, pyrotechnic-type unit that is secured to and sealed within the airbag housing. Two dedicated take outs and yellow connectors of the instrument panel wire harness with keyed, color-coded (black and orange) insulators connect the two inflator initiators to the vehicle electrical system.

The passenger airbag cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed, ineffective, or in any way damaged. The passenger airbag door and retainer are serviced only as a unit with the instrument panel top pad. If the passenger airbag is deployed, the instrument panel top pad must also be replaced. The two stamped stud straps are serviced as a unit with the instrument panel structural support and must be transferred from the existing passenger airbag housing to a new replacement airbag during service.