Deployment Inside the Vehicle

Deployment inside vehicle is proper when the vehicle is to be destroyed or salvaged for component parts. This includes, but is limited to, the following situations.
^ Where vehicle has completed its useful life.
^ Where vehicle has been damaged beyond repair in a non-deployment-type accident.
^ Where vehicle has been stripped or damaged beyond repair in a theft.
^ Where vehicle will be salvaged for component parts to be used on a different vehicle identification number as opposed to being rebuilt as the same vehicle identification number. This is done to ensure SIR system integrity since ONLY NEW SIR COMPONENTS MAY BE USED IN SERVICING AN SIR EQUIPPED VEHICLE. Never use SIR components from another vehicle. Always replace SIR components with NEW COMPONENTS.

CAUTION: WHEN YOU ARE DEPLOYING AN INFLATOR MODULE FOR DISPOSAL, PERFORM THE DEPLOYMENT PROCEDURES IN THE ORDER LISTED. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES IN THE ORDER LISTED MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
^ MAKE SURE THE AREA AROUND THE INFLATOR MODULE IS CLEAR OF ALL PEOPLE AND LOOSE OR FLAMMABLE OBJECTS.
^ SHORT THE DEPLOYMENT HARNESS WIRES AS INSTRUCTED.
^ CONNECT THE DEPLOYMENT HARNESS TO THE INFLATOR MODULE BEFORE YOU CONNECT IT TO THE POWER SOURCE.
^ CONNECT THE DEPLOYMENT HARNESS TO THE POWER SOURCE TO IMMEDIATELY DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.

Procedures for deployment of a live (undeployed) inflator module within the vehicle are as follows:
1. Lower driver and passenger windows. Turn ignition switch Off.
2. Check that driver inflator module is secured to steering wheel and that passenger inflator module is secured to instrument panel.
3. Remove all loose objects from front seat and inflator module covers.
4. Disable the SIR System. (Refer to "Disabling the SIR System".)






5. Cut the two wires of each yellow two-way connector away from the vehicle harness leaving at least 152 mm (6 in.) of wire at connector.
6. Strip 13 mm (1/2 in.) of insulation off both leads from connector.




7. Cut two 4.6 M (15 ft.) deployment wires from multi-strand wire (18 gauge or thicker). These deployment wires will be used to fabricate a deployment harness.
8. Strip 13 mm (1/2 in.) of insulation off both ends of each deployment wire.
9. Short the two deployment wires by twisting together one end from each. Deployment wires shall remain shorted and not be connected to a power source until the air bag is to be deployed.




10. Twist together one connector wire lead to one deployment wire. The connection should be mechanically secure.
11. Bend twisted connection, (made in step 10), flat and wrap tightly with electrical tape to insulate and secure.
12. Twist together, bend, and tape the remaining connector wire lead to the remaining deployment wire as in steps 10 and 11.

13. Connect the deployment harness to the yellow two-way connector at base of steering column (for driver's side), or yellow two-way connector under top right side of I/P top cover (for passenger side).
14. Verify that vehicle is clear of all people and loose or flammable objects.
15. Stretch deployment harness wires from vehicle to their full length.
16. Notify all people in the immediate area of your intention to deploy inflator module as deployment will be accompanied by a substantial noise which may startle the uninformed.
17. Separate the two ends of the deployment wires that were twisted together in step 9.






18. Connect the deployment wires to a power source to deploy inflator module. Recommended application: 12 Volts minimum, 2 amps minimum. A vehicle battery is suggested.

CAUTION: IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE DEPLOYMENT OF AN AIR BAG, THE METAL SURFACES OF THE INFLATOR MODULE ARE VERY HOT. DO NOT PLACE THE DEPLOYED INFLATOR MODULE NEAR ANY FLAMMABLE OBJECTS. WAIT FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES BEFORE TOUCHING ANY METAL SURFACE OF THE INFLATOR MODULE. DISREGARDING THESE PRECAUTIONS MAY CAUSE FIRE OR PERSONAL INJURY.

19. Put on a pair of shop gloves and safety glasses to protect your hands and eyes from possible irritation when handling the deployed inflator module.

After an inflator module has been deployed, the metal canister and surrounding areas of the inflator module will be very hot. Do not touch the metal areas of the inflator module for about 10 minutes after deployment. If the deployed inflator module must be moved before it is cool, wear gloves and handle by the air bag or vinyl trim.

After inflator module has been deployed, surface of air bag may contain a powdery residue. This powder consists primarily of corn starch (used to prevent bag from adhering to itself over the life of the product) and by-products of the chemical reaction. Sodium hydroxide dust (similar to lye soap) is produced as a by product of the deployment reaction. The sodium hydroxide then quickly reacts with atmospheric moisture and is converted to sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Therefore, it is unlikely that sodium hydroxide will be present after deployment. As a precaution, however, gloves and safety glasses are recommended to prevent any possible irritation of the skin or eyes.

20. Wash your hands with mild soap and water afterwards.
21. In the unlikely event that the inflator module does not deploy after following this procedure, proceed with steps 22 through 25.

IMPORTANT: The remaining steps are to be followed in the unlikely event that the inflator module did not deploy after following these procedures.

22. Short the two deployment wires by twisting the ends together.
23. Remove inflator module from vehicle.

CAUTION: WHEN YOU ARE CARRYING AN UNDEPLOYED INFLATOR MODULE:
^ DO NOT CARRY THE INFLATOR MODULE BY THE WIRES OR CONNECTOR ON THE INFLATOR MODULE.
^ MAKE SURE THE BAG OPENING POINTS AWAY FROM YOU.

WHEN YOU ARE STORING AN UNDEPLOYED INFLATOR MODULE, MAKE SURE THE BAG OPENING POINTS AWAY FROM THE SURFACE ON WHICH THE INFLATOR MODULE RESTS. WHEN YOU ARE STORING A STEERING COLUMN, DO NOT REST THE COLUMN WITH THE BAG OPENING FACING DOWN AND THE COLUMN VERTICAL. PROVIDE FREE SPACE FOR THE AIR BAG TO EXPAND IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT. OTHERWISE, PERSONAL INJURY MAY RESULT.

24. Temporarily store the inflator module with its trim cover facing up, away from the surface on which it rests.
25. Call the Saturn Technical Assistance Center for further instruction on disposal.