Post-Collision Inspection

Service of Air Bag Equipped Vehicles Involved in Collisions
While servicing an air bag equipped vehicle that has been involved in a collision, check the radiator primary crash sensors and wiring.

Sensors
Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for proper air bag system operation. If a vehicle equipped with an air bag system is involved in a crash where the fenders or grille area have been damaged, ensure that body structure in the area of the sensor mounting is restored to its original condition. Inspect the air bag sensor mounting brackets for damage.
- Damaged sensors should be replaced whether or not the air bag is deployed.
- Undamaged sensors will reset automatically after a collision and can be reused.

Damaged Wiring

CAUTION: Before attempting diagnostic prove out, check for wiring shorts that could cause the diagnostic monitor to blow the air bag battery feed fuse, causing unnecessary servicing.

Inspect the sensor wiring and the wiring harness for any damage that may have occurred due to the collision. Replace any damaged wiring, terminals, insulation or connectors, as required.

If splices are required in adjacent wiring. Splices should be staggered 51 mm (2 inches) apart from each other. Service as follows:






1. Correctly strip the wires.

NOTE: A durable splice is a 5-step process to be used for 16 gauge wire and smaller. For larger than 16 gauge wire, a jiffy splice must be used.






2. Twist and solder the wire (don't forget to install the shrink tubing first). Use rosin core, mildly activated (RMA) solder. (Do not use acid core.)

NOTE: Durability of a wire splice is dependent on getting a joint that does not oxidize. Soldering is effective in keeping the air (oxide) out of the joint. Electronic circuits, and the very high current circuits, may fail because of oxidized joints. Oxidation cannot be seen with the naked eye.






3. Form (bend) the circuit into a shape for sealing.






4. Reposition the shrink tubing over the splice.






5. Heat the entire length of the shrink tubing until the "hot sealant" comes out of both ends.

NOTE: When the "hot sealant" flows out of both ends of the tube it has been heated long enough.

CAUTION: Use Rotunda Heat Gun 107-R0300 or equivalent only. Do not use a hair dryer or any flame to heat the shrink tubing. Durability of a splice is dependent on keeping the moisture out of the joint. The heat shrink tubing alone won't do the job. The tubing must contain a "hot melt sealant" which is squeezed from both ends of the tube during heating and forms an adhesive seal between the cable and the tube.

Steering Column and Air Bag Sliding Contact
If the collision involved an air bag deployment, the steering column may have been loaded sufficiently to deform its mounting brackets or damage column wiring. An inspection should be made of the column structure and air bag sliding contact wiring to ensure that any damaged components are replaced.