The airba g used in this model is a Next Gener a-
tion-type that complies with r evised federa l air bag
st andar ds to deploy with less force tha n those used
in some prior models. A ra dial deploying fabric cush-
ion with internal tethers is used. The airba g inflator
is a solid fuel, pyrotechnic-type unit with four stu ds
and is secu red by four hex nut s t o four studs on the
air bag cu sh ion r etainer ring to the back of the
st amped metal a irba g housing. A keyed connector
recepta cle on the driver airba g inflator connects th e
inflator initia tor to th e vehicle electrical syst em
through a yellow-jacketed, t wo-wire pigta il harness of
the clockspring.
The driver a irba g a nd trim cover u nit cannot be
repaired, a nd must be repla ced if deployed, faulty, or
in any way d amage d .
OPERATION
The dr iver air bag is deployed by electrical signa ls
generat ed by the Airbag Contr ol Modu le (ACM)
through the driver airbag squib cir cuit to t he in itia-
tor in the airbag in flat or (Fig. 20). When th e ACM
sends the pr oper electr ical sign al t o the initia tor the
electrical ener gy generat es enough hea t t o initia te a
sm all pyr otechn ic cha rge which, in tu rn, ignit es
chemical pellets with in the inflator. Once ignited,
these chem ical pellets burn ra pidly an d produce a
lar ge qu ant ity of inert gas. The infla tor is sealed to
the back of th e airba g housin g and a diffu ser in the
inflator direct s all of the inert gas into the airba g
cushion , causing t he cushion to inflate. As t he cush-
ion inflates, the driver airbag trim cover will split a t
pr edetermined brea kout lines, then fold back out of
the wa y. Followin g an airbag deploym ent, the air bag
cushion quickly deflates by venting th e iner t gas
towar ds the instr umen t pa nel t hrough filter ed vents
with in the fabric used t o construct the ba ck (st eering
wheel side) pa nel of the a irbag cu sh ion.
Som e of the chemica ls u sed to create th e inert ga s
may be con sidered hazardous while in their solid
st ate before th ey a re bur ned, but t hey are secu rely
Fig. 19 Driver Airbag Housing
1 - HOUSING
2 - INFLATOR
3 - CONNECTOR RECEPTACLE
4 - TRIM COVER
Fig. 20 Driver Airbag Operation
1 - TRIM COVER
2 - INFLATOR
3 - INITIATOR
4 - CUSHION (FOLDED)
5 - STEERING WHEEL
VA RESTRAINTS 8O - 17
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