in a ny way dama ged. On ce a side curtain airba g has
been deployed, the complet e airba g u nit and a ll oth er
visibly dama ged componen ts must be repla ced.
OPERATION
Each side curt ain airba g is deployed individu ally
by an electrical signa l gen erat ed by the Airbag Con-
trol Module (ACM) to which it is con nected t hrough
left or righ t cur tain airba g line 1 a nd line 2 (or
squib) circu its. Th e hybrid-t ype in flat or assembly for
each air bag con tains a sma ll canister of highly com-
pr essed inert gas. When the ACM sends t he proper
electrical signal to th e airba g inflator, the elect rical
energy creates enough heat to ignite chem ical pellets
with in t he in flat or. On ce ign ited, these chemica ls
burn r apidly and produce the pressure necessa ry to
ruptu re a containment disk in t he inert gas ca nister.
The infla tor and inert gas canist er are sealed and
connect ed to a tubular m anifold so t hat a ll of t he
released gas is dir ected into t he folded side curt ain
air bag cu sh ion, ca using the cushion to infla te.
As the air bag cu shion inflates it will split the gar-
nish molding at a predet ermined brea kout line a nd
dr op down from t he roof ra il alon g th e side glass an d
body pillars to for m a curta in-like cushion to protect
the vehicle occupant s during a side impact collision.
The front t ether keeps the front por tion of t he side
curtain bag taut, thus en su rin g that th e bag will
deploy in the proper position. Following th e airbag
deployment, the airba g cushion quickly deflat es by
vent ing the iner t gas thr ough the loose weave of th e
cushion fabric, an d the deflat ed cushion ha ngs down
loosely from the roof r ail.
REMOVAL
The following procedur e is for r eplacem ent of a
faulty or da maged side curtain a irba g. If t he airbag
is faulty or damaged, but not deployed, review t he
recomm ended procedu res for h andling non -deployed
su pplemen tal rest raints. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
RESTRAINTS - STANDARD P ROCEDURE - HAN-
DLING NON-DEPLOYED SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINTS). If th e side cur tain a irba 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.
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, use
extreme care to prevent any foreign material from
entering the side curtain airbag, or becoming
entrapped between the side curtain airbag cushion
and the roof rail garnish molding. Failure to
observe this warning could result in occupant inju-
ries upon airbag deployment.
(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 pinch welt from the front door
openin g of the vehicle a s needed to access the side
curtain airba g (Fig. 44).
(3) Remove the t rim fr om the inside of the B-pillar.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/INTERIOR/B-P ILLAR TRIM -
REMOVAL).
(4) Remove t he gra b h andle fr om th e h eadliner.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/INTERIOR/ASSIST HANDLE -
REMOVAL).
Fig. 44 Pinch Welt
1 - GRAB HANDLE
2 - B-PILLAR TRIM
3 - PINCH WELT
8O - 36 RESTRAINTS VA
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