Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

SIR System Service Precautions

When servicing the SIR system, observe the following precautions:

CAUTION
PROPER OPERATION OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (SIR) SENSING SYSTEM REQUIRES THAT ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE STRUCTURE RETURN THE VEHICLE STRUCTURE TO THE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION CONFIGURATION. NOT PROPERLY REPAIRING THE VEHICLE STRUCTURE COULD CAUSE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG(S) IN A FRONTAL COLLISION OR DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG(S) FOR CONDITIONS LESS SEVERE THAN INTENDED.


ACCIDENT WITH OR WITHOUT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT:
After any collision, inspect these components as indicated. If you detect any damage, replace the component. If you find any damage to the mounting points or mounting hardware, repair the component or replace the hardware as needed.
^ Steering Column - Perform the "Checking Steering Column for Accident Damage" procedures in the "Repairs and Inspections Required After An Accident".
^ I/P knee bolsters - Inspect the knee bolsters for bending, twisting, buckling, or any type of damage.
^ I/P brackets, braces, etc. - Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage.
^ Safety Belts - Perform the "Safety Belt Operational Checks".

ACCIDENT WITH AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT:
After any collision involving air bag deployment, replace these components. If you detect any damage to the mounting points or mounting hardware, repair or replace the mounting points and mounting hardware as needed.
^ Passenger Inflator Module (Air Bag)
^ Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module
^ Driver Inflator Module (Air Bag)

After a collision involving air bag deployment, inspect the following components as indicated. Perform these component inspections in addition to the inspections indicated as 'Accident With or Without Air Bag Deployment." If you find any damage to the mounting points or mounting hardware, repair the component or replace the hardware as needed.
^ Coil Assembly - Inspect the coil and the coil wiring harness for melting, scorching, or other damage due to excessive heat.

When servicing the SIR system, observe the following precautions:

CAUTION
^ THIS VEHICLE HAS A SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (SIR) SYSTEM. REFER TO SIR COMPONENT VIEWS IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHETHER YOU ARE PERFORMING SERVICE ON OR NEAR THE SIR COMPONENTS OR THE SIR WIRING. WHEN YOU ARE PERFORMING SERVICE ON OR NEAR THE SIR COMPONENTS OR THE SIR WIRING, REFER TO "REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS". FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE CAUTIONS COULD CAUSE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, PERSONAL INJURY, OR UNNECESSARY SIR SYSTEM REPAIRS.

^ IN ORDER TO AVOID DEPLOYING THE AIR BAG WHEN TROUBLESHOOTING THE SIR SYSTEM, USE ONLY THE EQUIPMENT SPECIFIED. FAILURE TO USE THE SPECIFIED EQUIPMENT AS INSTRUCTED COULD CAUSE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT PERSONAL INJURY TO YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE, OR UNNECESSARY SIR SYSTEM REPAIRS.

^ WHEN YOU ARE PERFORMING SERVICE ON OR NEAR THE SIR COMPONENTS OR THE SIR WIRING, YOU MUST DISABLE THE SIR SYSTEM. REFER TO "DISABLING THE SIR SYSTEM" PROCEDURE. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE CORRECT PROCEDURE COULD CAUSE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT PERSONAL INJURY OR UNNECESSARY SIR SYSTEM REPAIRS.

^ PROPER OPERATION OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (SIR) SENSING SYSTEM REQUIRES THAT ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE STRUCTURE RETURN THE VEHICLE STRUCTURE TO THE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION CONFIGURATION. NOT PROPERLY REPAIRING THE VEHICLE STRUCTURE COULD CAUSE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG(S) IN A FRONTAL COLLISION OR DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG(S) FOR CONDITIONS LESS SEVERE THAN INTENDED.


When servicing the SIR system, observe the following precautions:

CAUTION
^ IN ORDER TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG WHICH COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY DO NOT DISPOSE OF AN UNDEPLOYED INFLATOR MODULE AS NORMAL SHOP WASTE. THE UNDEPLOYED INFLATOR MODULE CONTAINS SUBSTANCES THAT COULD CAUSE SEVERE ILLNESS OR PERSONAL INJURY IF THE SEALED CONTAINER IS DAMAGED DURING DISPOSAL. USE THE FOLLOWING DEPLOYMENT PROCEDURES TO SAFELY DISPOSE OF AN UNDEPLOYED INFLATOR MODULE. FAILURE TO DISPOSE OF AN INFLATOR MODULE AS INSTRUCTED MAY BE A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL, STATE, PROVINCE, OR LOCAL LAWS.

^ 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.

^ 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.


When servicing the SIR system, observe the following precautions:

CAUTION
BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU HANDLE A SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM). DO NOT STRIKE OR JOLT THE SDM. BEFORE APPLYING POWER TO THE SDM:
^ REMOVE ANY DIRT, GREASE, ETC. FROM THE MOUNTING SURFACE.
^ POSITION THE SDM HORIZONTALLY ON THE MOUNTING SURFACE.
^ TIGHTEN ALL OF THE SDM FASTENERS AND SDM BRACKET FASTENERS TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE VALUE.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE CORRECT PROCEDURES COULD CAUSE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT PERSONAL INJURY OR UNNECESSARY SIR SYSTEM REPAIRS.

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.


NOTE
Always use the correct fastener in the proper location. When you replace a fastener, use ONLY the exact part number for that application.

Saturn Corporation will call out those fasteners that require a replacement after removal. Saturn Corporation will also call out the fasteners that require thread lockers or thread sealant.

UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, do not use supplemental coatings (paints, greases, or other corrosion inhibitors) on threaded fasteners or fastener joint interfaces. Generally, such coatings adversely affect the fastener torque and the joint clamping force, and may damage the fastener.

When you install fasteners, use the correct tightening sequence and specifications.

Following these instructions can help you avoid damage to parts and systems.