Occupant Restraint Controller - Description

DESCRIPTION





The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) (1) is secured by three nuts to three weld studs on a stamped steel mounting bracket welded onto the top of the floor panel transmission tunnel adjacent to the park brake mechanism and beneath the center floor console in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Concealed within a hollow in the center of the die cast aluminum ORC housing is the electronic circuitry of the ORC which includes a microprocessor, an electronic impact sensor, an electronic safing sensor, and an energy storage capacitor. A stamped metal cover plate is secured to the bottom of the ORC housing with seven screws to enclose and protect the internal electronic circuitry and components.

An arrow (2) printed on the label (3) on the top of the ORC housing provides a visual verification of the proper orientation of the unit, and should always be pointed toward the front of the vehicle. The ORC housing has integral mounting flanges (4) on the right front and rear corners and near the center of the left side. The stamped metal cover plate has two integral locating pins on its lower surface. Two molded plastic electrical connector receptacles (5) exit the rearward facing side of the ORC housing. These receptacles connect the ORC to the vehicle electrical system through two dedicated take outs and connectors, one from the instrument panel wire harness and the second from the body wire harness.

The impact sensor and safing sensor internal to the ORC are calibrated for the specific vehicle, and are only serviced as a unit with the ORC. In addition, there are unique versions of the ORC for vehicles with or without certain optional Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) components. The ORC cannot be repaired or adjusted and, if damaged or ineffective, it must be replaced.