Airbags - Supplemental Inflatable Restraint Switch Kits: Overview
BULLETIN NO.: 98-T-28ISSUE DATE: August, 1998
GROUP/SEQ. NO. SIR-01
CORPORATION NO.: 888210
SUBJECT:
Frontal Supplemental Inflatable Restraints (SIR) Switch Kits - Parts and Service Procedures
Due to the new regulation, this bulletin supercedes bulletin 97-T-33, which should be discarded. RETAILERS SHOULD NO LONGER USE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN 97-T-33. INSTEAD, USE THE INFORMATION INCLUDED WITH THIS BULLETIN.
MODELS AFFECTED:
1992-1998 Saturn vehicles
Purpose
NEVER CONSIDER INSTALLING AN AIR BAG ON-OFF SWITCH UNLESS THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET:
1. THE CUSTOMER PRESENTS A LETTER FROM THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) AUTHORIZING THE INSTALLATION OF THE AIR BAG ON-OFF SWITCH.
IMPORTANT:
Make sure to make a photocopy of the customer's letter from the NHTSA and retain the photocopy in the CSO VIN jacket, stapled to the CSO hardcopy.
2. THE RETAILERS GIVES THE CUSTOMER A COPY OF THE "NOTICE TO GM/SATURN OWNERS ABOUT AIR BAG ON-OFF SWITCHES." (Refer to Retail Support Team Bulletin 97-SC-07.)
3. THE CUSTOMER STILL WANTS THE AIR BAG ON-OFF SWITCH INSTALLED.
This bulletin provides service information for the installation and
removal of air bag On-Off switches to turn Off and On frontal supplemental inflatable restraints (SIR) (Air Bags), along with switch and system diagnosis.
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given approval and direction for deactivating Frontal Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) systems in special situations. Within this approval, the method to deactivate the Frontal SIR modules (air bags) includes a switch(es) to turn the air bag(s) off and on, and display to indicate SIR system deactivation status.
The air bag On-Off switch installation kit contains the necessary components (air bag On-Off switch, brackets, attaching hardware, display light, applique sheet for switch and light, tie straps and instruction sheets) for system operation. Each kit also contains an Owner's Handbook insert describing system operation for review by the owner.
The cost of the air bag On-Off switch kit and labor to install the switch kits are the responsibility of the customer. Suggested labor times for kit installation are included at the end of this bulletin.
IMPORTANT:
In rare instances, the installation of air bag On-Off switch(es) may turn On the vehicle's AIR BAG warning light. This condition may exist due to the additional resistance of the switch harness when added to the SIR system. For further assistance, call the Saturn Technical Assistance Center at 1-800-828-2112, prompt 1.
The standard SIR system diagnosis can be made by disconnecting the air bag On-Off switch from the SIR wiring harness and following the directions for SIR system diagnosis found in the appropriate year "SIR Service Manual."
AIR BAG ON-OFF SWITCHES
A description of each of the installation kits major components is as follows:
Each air bag On-Off switch kit contains material for one air bag (driver or passenger). The air bag On-Off switches are key operated. When the air bag On-Off switch is in the "OFF" position, the air bag will remain "OFF" until the air bag On-Off switch is turned to the "ON" position. Turning the air bag On-Off switch to the "ON" position will allow the air bag to function.
CAUTION:
TO PREVENT PERSONAL INJURY AIR BAG ON-OFF SWITCHES MUST NOT BE PLACED ON ANY INSTRUMENT PANEL SURFACE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S LEG OR KNEE AREA.
The recommended location for air bag On-Off switches on Saturn vehicles is in the instrument panel (glovebox) compartment assembly.
DISPLAY LIGHT
Each air bag On-Off switch requires a display light to indicate the "ON" or "OFF" status of the air bag. Each display light includes a harness to be connected to the air bag On-Off switch harness.
CAUTION:
TO PREVENT PERSONAL INJURY AIR BAG DISPLAY LIGHTS MUST NOT BE PLACED ON ANY INSTRUMENT PANEL SURFACE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S LEG OR KNEE AREA.
The recommended location for the display lights is at the center of the roof headliner (refer to the location illustration in this bulletin and the instruction sheet).
WIRING CONNECTIONS
The air bag On-Off switch will be connected "in series" with the yellow two-way air bag connector. The air bag On-Off switch also requires ignition circuit, body ground, and display light connections.
Diagnostics for the switch and display light are included with this bulletin. Refer to the appropriate model year SIR service manual for SIR system diagnosis.
PARTS INFORMATION
Order the appropriate installation kit(s) (driver, passenger or both) from SSPO. Parts information containing the air bag On-Off switch kit part numbers is located at the end of this bulletin.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Air bag On-Off switch kits and installation are NOT considered a warranty repair. Parts and labor charges are the responsibility of the customer.
SERVICE PRECAUTIONS
CAUTION:
SWITCHES AND TELLTALE LIGHTS MUST NOT BE MOUNTED ON ANY INSTRUMENT PANEL SURFACE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF DRIVER OR PASSENGER SEATING AREAS. INSTRUMENT PANEL SURFACES THAT MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH KNEES OR HEAD MUST BE KEPT FREE OF SWITCHES AND TELLTALE LIGHTS.
CAUTION:
AS A SYSTEM "PRE-CHECK," PERFORM THE FOLLOWING TO VERIFY SYSTEM OPERATION. STAYING WELL AWAY FROM BOTH AIR BAGS, TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO THE RUN POSITION. VERIFY THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP FLASHES SEVEN TIMES AND THEN STAYS OFF IF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP DOES NOT OPERATE AS DESCRIBED, PERFORM THE "SIR DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK" FOUND IN THE SIR SERVICE MANUAL.
CAUTION:
WHEN YOU ARE PERFORMING SERVICE ON OR NEAR THE SIR COMPONENTS OR THE SIR WIRING, YOU MUST DISABLE THE SIR SYSTEM. USE THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE TO TEMPORARILY DISABLE THE SIR SYSTEM. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE CORRECT PROCEDURE COULD CAUSE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT; PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR UNNECESSARY SIR SYSTEM REPAIRS.
THE INFLATABLE RESTRAINT SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE OR THE DIAGNOSTIC ENERGY RESERVE MODULE (DEPENDING ON MODEL YEAR OF VEHICLE) MAINTAINS A RESERVE ENERGY SUPPLY. WHEN THE VEHICLE POWER IS INSUFFICIENT TO CAUSE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS, THE RESERVE ENERGY SUPPLY PROVIDES THE DEPLOYMENT POWER. DEPLOYMENT POWER IS AVAILABLE FOR AS LONG AS TEN MINUTES AFTER DISCONNECTING THE VEHICLE POWER BY ANY OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS.
^ YOU TURN OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH.
^ YOU REMOVE THE FUSE THAT PROVIDES POWER TO THE INFLATABLE RESTRAINT SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE OR DIAGNOSTIC ENERGY RESERVE MODULE.
^ YOU DISCONNECT THE VEHICLE BATTERY FROM THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
PARTS REQUIREMENTS
Disable Switch Kits