Vehicle Damage Warnings
AIR BAG SYSTEM SERVICE WARNINGSComponent Disassembly
Disassembling and reassembling the components of the air bag system can render the system inoperative, which may result in serious injury or death in the event of an accident. Do not disassemble any air bag system component.
Wiring Harness Repair
Incorrectly repairing an air bag system wiring harness can accidentally deploy the air bag module or pretensioner seat belt, which can cause serious injury. If a problem is found in the system wiring, replace the wiring harness. Do not try to repair it.
Air Bag Module Inspection
Inspecting an air bag module using an ohmmeter can deploy the air bag module, which may cause serious injury. Do not use an ohmmeter to inspect an air bag module. Always use the on-board diagnostic function to diagnose the air bag module for malfunctions. (See Workshop Manual [Air Bag System Service Warnings]).
Air Bag Module Handling
A live (undeployed) air bag module may accidentally deploy when it is handled and cause serious injury. When carrying a live (undeployed) air bag module, point the front surface away from your body to lessen the chance of injury in case it deploys.
A live (undeployed) air bag module placed face down on a surface is dangerous. If the air bag deploys, the motion of the module can cause serious injury. Always face the front surface up to reduce the motion of the module in case it accidentally deploys.
RCM Handling
Disconnecting the RCM connector or removing the RCM with the ignition switch at the ON position can cause the air bag modules to deploy, which may seriously injure you. Before disconnecting the RCM connector or removing the RCM, turn the ignition switch to LOCK position, then disconnect the negative battery cable and wait for more than 1 minute to allow the backup power supply of the RCM to deplete it's stored power.
Connecting the RCM connector without firmly installing the RCM to the vehicle is dangerous. The crash sensor inside the control module may send an electrical signal to the air bag modules. This will deploy the air bag modules, which may result in serious injury. Therefore, before connecting the connector, firmly mount the control module to the vehicle.
For vehicles with a single point sensor, once an air bag module is deployed due to an accident or other causes, the RCM must be replaced with a new one even if the used one does not have any external signs of damage. The used RCM may have been damages internally which may cause improper operation, resulting in major injuries or even death. The used single point RCM cannot be bench-checked or self-checked.
Pretensioner Seat Belt Inspection
Inspecting a pretensioner seat belt using an ohmmeter can deploy the pretensioner seat belt, which can cause serious injury. Do not use an ohmmeter to inspect the pretensioner seat belt. Always use the on-board diagnostic to diagnose the pretensioner seat belt for malfunctions.
Component Handling
Oil, grease, water, etc. on components may cause the air bag modules and pretensioner seat belt to fail to deploy in an accident, which may cause serious injury. Do not allow oil, grease, water, etc., on components.
Inserting a screwdriver, etc. into the connector of an air bag module or a pretensioner seat belt may damage the connector and cause the air bag module to deploy improperly, which may cause serious injury. Do not insert any foreign objects into the connector.
Component Reuse
Even if an air bag module or pretensioner seat belt does not deploy in a collision and does not have any external signs of damage, it may have been damaged internally, which may cause improper operation. Improper operation may cause serious injury. Always self-check the undamaged air bag module or pretensioner seat belt to determine whether it can be reused. (See Workshop Manual [Air Bag System Service Warnings]).