Air Bag Control Module: Description and Operation

OPERATION
The deceleration or g-force resulting from the impact of a front-end collision causes the safing sensor inside of the Airbag Control Module (ACM) to be closed. As soon as one front sensor and the safing sensor are closed, an electrical charge is sent to the air bag module(s). This causes the inflators to be actuated, thus deploying the air bags. The total time from the closure of the switches to deployment and deflation of the air bag is 1/10th of a second.

SELF DIAGNOSTIC FUCTIONS
Whenever the ignition key is turned to the "RUN" or "START" position, the air bag control module (ACM) performs a lamp check by turning the AIR BAG warning lamp ON.
- The lamp stays lit for 6 to 8 seconds, then goes off. If the lamp remains off, it means that the ACM has checked the system and found it to be free of discernible malfunctions. The air bag system is monitored by the ACM.

The ACM monitors critical input and output circuits within the air bag system, making sure they are operating correctly.
- Some circuits are tested continuously; others are checked only under certain circumstances. The ACM provides diagnostic information about the air bag system to the technician through the DRB via the CCD bus.