Technician Safety Information
WARNING:- The driver and passenger must be prepared to brace themselves if the retractor does not lock.
- The maximum brake application should be on dry concrete or equivalent hard surface, NEVER on wet pavement or gravel.
- After any vehicle collision, the safety belt system at all outboard seating positions (except driver, which has no "automatic locking retractor" feature) must be checked by a qualified technician to verify that the "automatic locking" feature for child seats is still functioning correctly, in addition to other checks for correct safety belt system function. A safety belt and retractor assembly must be replaced if the safety belt assembly's "automatic locking retractor" feature or any other safety belt function is not operating correctly. Failure to replace the safety belt and retractor assembly could increase the risk of injury in collisions.
- Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
- Carry a live air bag module with the air bag and trim cover pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
- Do not set a live air bag module down with the trim cover face down. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
- After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
- Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.
- The safety belt pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device. Always wear safety glasses when repairing an airbag equipped vehicle and when handling a safety belt buckle pretensioner or safety belt retractor pretensioner. Never probe a pretensioner electrical connector. Doing so could result in pretensioner or air bag deployment and could result in personal injury.
- Never probe the connectors on the safety canopy module. Doing so can result in safety canopy module deployment.
- Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for proper system operation. If a vehicle equipped with an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) is involved in a collision, inspect the sensor mounting bracket and wiring pigtail for deformation. Replace and properly position the sensor or any other damaged supplemental restraint system (SRS) components whether or not the air bag is deployed.
- Restraint system diagnostic tools are for service only. Tools must be removed prior to operating the vehicle over the road. Failure to remove restraint system diagnostic tools could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
- To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.
The front impact severity sensor is located at the bottom of the hood latch support bracket.
The first row side impact sensors (if equipped) are located in the first row doors, behind the door trim panel.
The second row side impact sensors (if equipped) are located at or near the base of the C-pillars.
To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).
- To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warnings, cautions, and notes at the beginning of the deactivation procedure.
- Anytime the safety canopy module has deployed, the headliner, and all A,B, and C pillar upper trim panels and attaching hardware must he replaced along with any other damaged components and hardware. Failure to do so may result in personal injury in the event of a safety canopy module deployment.
- All safety belt assemblies including retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle support assemblies (slide bar), shoulder belt height adjusters, if so equipped, child safety seat tether attachments, and attaching hardware should be inspected after any collision. All belt assemblies should be replaced unless a qualified technician finds the assemblies show no damage and operate correctly. Belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted.
- Carry a live safety belt retractor pretensioner or safety belt buckle pretensioner so as to keep fingers and clothing away from moveable parts. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
- Remote deployment is to be performed outdoors with all personnel at least 6.1 meters (20 feet) away to ensure personal safety. Due to the loud report which occurs when the safety belt pretensioner is deployed, hearing protection is required.
- Do not position the safety belt buckle pretensioner or safety belt retractor pretensioner so that moveable parts contact the support surface, as the forces of the deploying pretensioner can cause it to ricochet and cause personal injury.