Instrument Panel, Gauges and Warning Indicators: Service Precautions

WARNING: SAFE HANDLING OF AIR BAG MODULES REQUIRES FOLLOWING THE PROCEDURES DESCRIBED BELOW FOR BOTH LIVE AND DEPLOYED AIR BAGS. ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WHEN SERVICING AN AIR BAG VEHICLE, AND WHEN HANDLING AN AIR BAG MODULE.

Live Modules

WHEN CARRYING A LIVE AIR BAG MODULE, MAKE SURE THE BAG AND TRIM COVER ARE POINTED AWAY FROM YOUR BODY. IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT OF AN ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT, THE BAG WILL THEN DEPLOY WITH MINIMAL CHANCE OF INJURY. IN ADDITION, WHEN PLACING A LIVE AIR BAG MODULE ON A BENCH OR OTHER SURFACE, ALWAYS FACE THE BAG AND TRIM COVER UP, AWAY FROM THE SURFACE. THIS WILL REDUCE THE MOTION OF THE MODULE IF IT IS ACCIDENTALLY DEPLOYED.

Deployed Modules

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS MUST ALSO BE OBSERVED WHEN HANDLING A DEPLOYED MODULE. AFTER DEPLOYMENT, THE AIR BAG SURFACE MAY CONTAIN DEPOSITS OF SODIUM HYDROXIDE, A PRODUCT OF THE GAS GENERANT COMBUSTION THAT IS IRRITATING TO THE SKIN. ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES AND SAFETY GLASSES WHEN HANDLING A DEPLOYED AIR BAG MODULE, AND WASH YOUR HANDS WITH MILD SOAP AND WATER AFTERWARDS.

General Instructions

BECAUSE OF THE CRITICAL OPERATING REQUIREMENTS OF THE SYSTEM, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SERVICE SENSOR ASSEMBLIES, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY, THE MONITOR ASSEMBLY OR THE AIR BAG MODULE. CORRECTIONS ARE MADE BY REPLACEMENT ONLY.

NEVER PROBE THE CONNECTORS ON THE AIR BAG MODULE. DOING SO MAY RESULT IN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

ALL COMPONENT REPLACEMENTS AND WIRING REPAIRS MUST BE MADE WITH THE BATTERY GROUND DISCONNECTED.

THE INSTRUCTION "DISCONNECT" ALWAYS REFERS TO A CONNECTOR. NEVER DETACH A COMPONENT FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN INSTRUCTED TO "DISCONNECT".

After all service, verify the air bag lamp. This means turn the ignition switch to RUN and count the flashes only after the code (series of flashes) has cycled twice. If the air bag lamp comes on continuously for 4 to 8 seconds and then goes out, the system is functioning properly and all faults have been repaired.