Live (Undeployed) Inflator Module
Caution: 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 |
Take special care when handling or storing a live (undeployed) inflator
module. An inflator module deployment produces a rapid generation
of gas. This may cause the inflator module, or an object in front of
the inflator module, to project through the air in the event of an unlikely
deployment.
Scrapping Procedure
During the course of a vehicle's useful life, certain situations may
arise which will require the disposal of a live (undeployed) inflator module.
Do not dispose a live (undeployed) inflator module through normal disposal
channels until the inflator module has been deployed. The following
information covers the proper procedures for the disposing of a live
(undeployed) inflator module.
Do not deploy the inflator module in the following situations:
| • | After replacement of an inflator module under warranty. The inflator
module may need to be returned undeployed to the manufacturer. |
| • | If the vehicle is the subject of a Product Liability report related
to the SIR system and is subject to a Preliminary Investigation (GM-1241).
Do not alter the SIR system in any manner. |
| • | If the vehicle is involved in a campaign affecting the inflator
modules. Follow the instructions in the Campaign Service Bulletin for proper
SIR handling procedures. |
Deployment Procedures
The inflator module can be deployed inside or outside of the vehicle.
The method used depends upon the final disposition of the vehicle. Review
the following procedures in order to determine which will work best
in a given situation:
Deployment Outside Vehicle - Steering Wheel Module and IP Module)
Deploy the inflator module outside of the vehicle when the vehicle will
be returned to service. Situations that require deployment outside of
the vehicle include the following:
| • | Using the SIR diagnostics, you determine that the inflator module
is malfunctioning. |
| • | The inflator module is cosmetically damaged, scratched or ripped. |
| • | The inflator module pigtail, if equipped, is damaged. |
| • | The inflator module connector is damaged. |
| • | The inflator module connector terminals are damaged. |
Deployment and disposal of a malfunctioning inflator module is subject
to any required retention period.
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.
Tools Required
| • | J 38826-50 Steering wheel module adapter |
| • | J 38826-25 IP module adapter |
- Turn OFF the ignition.
- Remove the ignition key.
- Put on safety glasses.
- Remove the inflator module. Refer to the following:
- Place the inflator module
with the vinyl trim cover facing up and away from the surface on a work
bench.
- Clear a space on the ground
about 1.85 m (6 ft) in diameter for deployment of the inflator
module deployment fixture. If possible, use a paved, outdoor location
free of activity. Otherwise, use a space free of activity on the shop
floor. Make sure you have sufficient ventilation.
- Make sure no loose or flammable objects are in the area.
- If you have a steering wheel inflator module, place the inflator
module in the center of the space.
- If you have an IP inflator
module, refer to the following instructions:
| • | Place the J 39401-B
SIR deployment fixture (2) in the center of the cleared area. |
| • | Fill the deployment fixture with water or sand. |
| • | Using the proper nuts and bolts, mount the IP module (1)
to the deployment fixture (2), with the vinyl trim facing up. |
| • | Securely tighten all fasteners that hold the IP module (1)
to the deployment fixture (2). |
- Inspect the J 38826
and the appropriate pigtail adapter for
damage. Replace as needed.
- Short the two SIR deployment harness leads (1) together
using one banana plug seated into the other.
- Connect the appropriate pigtail adapter (2) to the SIR
deployment harness (1).
- Extend the SIR deployment
harness and adapter to full length from the deployment fixture.
- Connect the inflator module
to the adapter (2) on the SIR deployment harness (1).
- Place a 12 V minimum/2 A minimum power source, i.e.,
vehicle battery, near the shorted end of the harness.
Important: The rapid expansion of gas involved with deploying an inflator module
is very loud. Notify all the people in the immediate area that you intend
to deploy the inflator module.
Important: When the inflator module deploys, the deployment fixture may jump about
30 cm (1 ft) vertically. This is a normal reaction of the inflator
module due to the force of the rapid expansion of gas inside the inflator
module.
- Clear the area of people.
- Separate the two banana
plugs on the SIR deployment harness.
- Connect the SIR deployment
harness wires to the power source. Inflator module deployment will occur
when contact is made.
- Disconnect the SIR deployment
harness from the power source after the inflator module deploys.
- If the inflator module did not deploy, disconnect the adapter
and discontinue the procedure. Contact the Technical Assistance Group.
Otherwise, proceed to the following steps.
CAUTION: After an air bag deploys, the metal surfaces of the inflator module
are very hot. To help avoid a fire or personal injury:
| • | Allow sufficient time for cooling before touching any metal surface
of the inflator module. |
| • | Do not place the deployed inflator module near any flammable objects.
|
- Seat one banana plug into the other in order to short
the deployment harness leads.
- Put on a pair of shop
gloves.
- Disconnect the pigtail adapter from the inflator module as soon
as possible.
- Inspect the pigtail adapter and the SIR deployment harness. Replace
as needed.
- Dispose of the deployed inflator module through normal refuse
channels.
- Wash hands with a mild soap.
Deployment Inside Vehicle - Vehicle Scrapping Procedure
Deploy the inflator modules inside of the vehicle when destroying the
vehicle or when salvaging the vehicle for parts. This includes but is not
limited to the following situations:
| • | The vehicle has completed its useful life. |
| • | Irreparable damage occurs to the vehicle in a non-deployment type
accident. |
| • | Irreparable damage occurs to the vehicle during a theft. |
| • | The vehicle is being salvaged for parts to be used on a vehicle
with a different VIN as opposed to rebuilding as the same VIN. |
CAUTION: 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.
- Turn the ignition switch
to the OFF position.
- Remove the ignition key.
- Put on safety glasses.
- Remove all loose objects from the front seats.
- Disconnect the steering wheel module yellow connector (4)
located next to steering column (2).
- Cut the yellow harness
connector out of the vehicle, leaving at least 16 cm (6 in)
of wire at the connector.
- Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each of
the connector wire leads.
- Cut two 6.1 m (20 ft)
deployment wires from a 0.8 mm (18 gage) or thicker multi-strand
wire. Use these wires to fabricate the driver deployment harness.
- Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends
of the wires cut in the previous step.
- Twist together one end from each of the wires in order to short
the wires. Deployment wires shall remain shorted, and not connected to a
power source until you are ready to deploy the inflator module.
- Twist together one connector
wire lead to one deployment wire.
- Inspect that the previous connection is secure.
- Bend flat the twisted
connection.
- Secure and insulate the connection using electrical tape.
- Twist together, bend,
and tape the remaining connector wire lead to the remaining deployment wire.
- Connect the deployment harness to the steering wheel module yellow
connector.
- Route the deployment harness
out of the driver side of the vehicle.
- Disconnect the IP module
yellow harness connector (2) above passenger side sound insulator.
- Cut the harness connector
out of the vehicle, leaving at least 16 cm (6 in) of wire at
the connector.
- Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each of
the connector wire leads.
- Cut two 6.1 m (20 ft)
deployment wires from a 0.8 mm (18 gage) or thicker multi-strand
wire. These wires will be used to fabricate the passenger deployment
harness.
- Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends
of the wires cut in the previous step.
- Twist together one end from each of the wires in order to short
the wires.
- Twist together one connector
wire lead to one deployment wire.
- Bend flat the twisted
connection.
- Secure and insulate the connection using electrical tape.
- Twist together, bend,
and tape the remaining connector wire lead to the remaining deployment wire.
- Connect the deployment harness to the IP module yellow connector.
- Route the deployment harness
out of the passenger side of the vehicle.
- Completely cover the windshield
and front door window openings with a drop cloth.
- Deploy each deployment loop one at a time.
- Stretch out all of the deployment harness wires on the left and
right side of the vehicle to their full length.
- Place a power source, 12 V minimum/2 A minimum,
i.e., a vehicle battery, near the shorted end of the harnesses.
- Separate the one set of wires and touch the wires ends to the
power source in order to deploy the inflator modules, doing one module at
a time.
- Disconnect the deployment harness from the power source and twist
the wire ends together.
- Continue the same process with the remaining deployment harnesses
that are available.
- Remove the drop cloth from the vehicle.
- Disconnect all harnesses from the vehicle.
- Discard the harnesses.
- Scrap the vehicle in the same manner as a non-SIR equipped vehicle.
- If one or all of the inflator modules did not deploy, perform
the following steps to remove the undeployed module(s) from the vehicle:
