Passenger Air Bag - Description

DESCRIPTION





The horizontal surface of the instrument panel top pad (2) above the glove box is the most visible part of the Passenger AirBag (PAB). The seamless PAB door is integral to the top of the instrument panel cover above the glove box opening on the instrument panel in front of the front seat passenger seating position.





Located below the PAB door area of the instrument panel cover, the PAB retainer or chute is secured to the underside of the instrument panel cover substrate. The retainer defines the PAB door breakout area of the cover and serves as the receptacle for the PAB cushion and housing. The retainer includes two U-nuts at each side that accept the four screws (1) used to secure the stamped PAB housing upper brackets to the underside of the instrument panel cover. In addition, two screws (2) secure the stamped PAB housing lower bracket to the instrument panel structural support. All of the PAB fasteners and mounting provisions are concealed beneath the instrument panel trim.





The PAB 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 PAB unit consists of a stamped and welded metal housing, the airbag cushion, and the airbag inflator (2). The airbag housing contains the airbag inflator and the folded airbag cushion. An approximately 80 centimeter (31.5 inch) wide by 90 centimeter (35.5 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. A short four-wire pigtail harness with a keyed, yellow connector insulator connects the two inflator initiators to the vehicle electrical system through the instrument panel wire harness.

The PAB cannot be repaired and must be replaced if deployed, ineffective or in any way damaged. The PAB door and retainer are serviced only as a unit with the instrument panel cover. If the PAB is deployed, the instrument panel cover must also be replaced.