inflator direct s all of the inert gas into the airba g
cushion , causing the cushion to in flat e.
As the airbag cushion in flat es, the pa ssen ger air-
bag door will un sn ap from the clips th at retain it to
the instrument pa nel at the top and bottom, t hen
pivot t owards t he top of the inst rument pan el and
out of the way on th e woven str aps. Following a pa s-
senger air bag deploymen t, the airbag cush ion quickly
deflat es by venting th e inert ga s thr ough the loose
weave of t he fabric used to constru ct the back
(instr umen t pa nel side) of the airba g cushion.
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
sealed with in the air bag inflator. However, th e gas
that is produ ced when the chemicals are burn ed is
harmless. A small a mount of residue from th e bu rned
chemicals may cause som e tempora ry discomfort if it
contacts the skin , eyes, or breath ing passages. If skin
or eye irritation is noticed, rinse t he affected area
with plenty of cool, clean water. If breathing pa s-
sa ges are irritat ed, move to an other area where ther e
is plent y of clean, fresh air to brea th. If the irritation
is not alleviat ed by these actions, contact a ph ysician
imme d iate ly.
REMOVAL
The following procedur e is for r eplacem ent of a
faulty or da maged pa ssen ger airba g. If the airba g is
faulty or dama ged, bu t not deployed, review the rec-
ommen ded pr ocedures for handling non -deployed
su pplemen tal rest raints. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
RESTRAINTS - STANDARD P ROCEDURE - HAN-
DLING NON-DEPLOYED SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINTS). If the passenger airba g has been
deployed, review th e recom mended procedures for
service after a supplement al r est raint deploymen t
before removing the air bag from the vehicle. (Refer to
8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PRO-
CEDURE - SERVICE AFTER A SUPPLE MENTAL
RESTRAINT DEP LOYME NT).
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, on
vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supple-
mental restraint system before attempting any
steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt
tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel com-
ponent diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate
the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two
minutes for the system capacitor to discharge
before performing further diagnosis or service. This
is the only sure way to disable the supplemental
restraint system. Failure to take the proper precau-
tions could result in accidental airbag deployment.
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, when
removing a deployed airbag, rubber gloves, eye
protection, and a long-sleeved shirt should be
worn. There may be deposits on the airbag unit and
other interior surfaces. In large doses, these depos-
its may cause irritation to the skin and eyes.
(1) Disconn ect and isolate the battery nega tive
cable. Wait two m inutes for the syst em capacitor to
dischar ge before fur ther ser vice.
(2) Remove the instrument panel top cover tray
from over th e passenger airba g (Fig. 29). (Refer to 23
- BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/INSTRUMENT
PANEL TOP COVER - TRAY - REMOVAL).
VA RESTRAINTS 8O - 25
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