Air Bag Systems: Service and Repair

WARNING: When a deployed air bag module has been removed from a vehicle, it may be disposed of any other scrap material. Handle with gloves and safety glasses and wash hands after handling. The steering wheel module must be deactivated before disposal. The module contains explosive material. Failure to deactivate before disposing may result in personal injury.

Some vehicles with SIR systems that have live (undeployed) air bag modules may have to be scrapped because they have completed their useful life or have been severely damaged in a non-deployment type accident. The following procedure should be followed when scrapping a vehicle with an undeployed module:

1. Place ignition switch in Off position.
2. Ensure steering wheel module is secured to steering wheel and that there is nobody in vehicle, and remove all loose objects from front seat.
3. Disconnect lower steering column connector and remove shorting clip from connector.
4. Cut lower steering column connector from vehicle harness leaving at least six inches of wire at the connector.
5. Splice two 18 gauge wires, at least 20 feet long, into steering wheel module circuit wiring at base of steering column.
6. Stretch wires away from vehicle to their full length.
7. Apply 12 volts across wires to deploy module. Do not touch steering wheel module area for 20 minutes, due to heat generated by deployment.