Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Inspection and Verification

Inspection and Verification

1. Verify the customer concern by checking the air bag indicator in the instrument cluster. Refer to Prove Out the System in this section.

Visual Inspection Chart:




2. Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical and electrical damage using the given chart.
3. If the concern is not visually evident, use the scan tool to retrieve diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and carry out the on-demand self-test.

WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system repair only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.

NOTE: If a seat equipped with a seat-mounted side air bag system is being serviced, the air bag system must be deactivated using the appropriate deactivation procedure in this section.

NOTE: Restraint system diagnostic tools MUST be installed under the seats in the side air bag and safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) to floor connectors.

NOTE: Diagnostics or repairs are not to be performed on a side air bag system with the seats in the vehicle. Prior to attempting to diagnose/repair the side air bag system, the seats must be removed from the vehicle and the restraint system diagnostic tools must be installed in the side air bag floor and c connectors at the floor connector. The restraint system diagnostic tools must be removed prior to operating the vehicle over the road.

NOTE: Diagnostics may be performed on seat systems other than the side air bag or the safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) system (lumbar, climate controlled, heated, power seat track) with the seat installed in the vehicle as long as the restraint system diagnostic tools are installed under the seats in the side air bag and safety belt pretensioner to floor connectors.

NOTE: After diagnosing/repairing a seat system, the restraint system diagnostic tools must be removed before operating the vehicle over the road.

4. If the on-demand self-test is passed and no DTCs are retrieved, proceed to the symptom chart.
5. If DTCs are retrieved, refer to the Restraints Control Module (RCM) Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Priority Table. Diagnostic Trouble Code Descriptions