Caution: Refer to SIR Inflator Module Handling and Storage Caution in the Preface section.

Live (Undeployed) Inflator Module

Take special care when handling or storing a live (undeployed) inflator module. An air bag deployment produces rapid gas generation. This may cause the inflator module, or an object in front of the inflator module, to jettison 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 necessitate the disposal of a live (undeployed) inflator module. The following information covers the proper procedures for the disposing of a live inflator module. Deploy the inflator module before disposal. Do not dispose of the module through normal disposal channels.

Caution: Refer to SIR Inflator Module Disposal Caution in the Preface section.

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:

Tools Required

Caution: Refer to SIR Inflator Module Disposal Caution in the Preface section.

Caution: Refer to SIR Inflatable Module Deployment Outside Vehicle Caution in the Preface section.

Deploy the inflatable restraint steering wheel module outside of the vehicle when the vehicle will be returned to service. Situations that require deployment outside of the vehicle include the following:

Deployment and disposal of a malfunctioning inflator module is subject to any required retention period.

1. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
2. Remove the ignition key.
3. Put on safety glasses.
4. Inspect the J 38826 and the EL-46850 for damage. Replace as needed.
5. Short the 2 SIR deployment harness (1) leads together using one banana plug seated into the other.
6. Connect the SIR deployment harness adapter (2) to the SIR deployment harness (1).
7. Remove the inflator module from the vehicle.

Caution: Refer to SIR Inflator Module Handling and Storage Caution in the Preface section.




8. Place the module with the vinyl trim cover facing up and away from the surface on a work bench.



9. Clear a space on the ground about 1.85 m (6 ft) in diameter for deployment of the module. 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.
10. Make sure no loose or flammable objects are in the area.
11. Place the module in the space with the vinyl trim cover facing up.



12. Extend the SIR deployment harness and adapter to full length from the module.
13. Place a 12 volt minimum/2 amp minimum power source, i.e., vehicle battery, near the shorted end of the harness.



14. Connect the module (1) to the adapter (2) on the SIR deployment harness (3).
15. Firmly seat the adapter into the module connector.
16. Clear the area of people.

Caution: Refer to SIR Inflatable Module Deployment Outside Vehicle Caution in the Preface section.




17. Separate the 2 banana plugs on the SIR deployment harness.




Important: 

•	The rapid gas expansion involved with deploying an air bag is very loud. Notify all people in the immediate area that you intend to deploy the inflator module.

•	When the air bag deploys, the inflator module may jump about 30 cm (1 ft) vertically. This is a normal reaction of the inflator module to the force of the rapid gas expansion inside the air bag.

18. Connect the SIR deployment harness wires to the power source.



19. Disconnect the SIR deployment harness from the power source after the air bag deploys.
20. Seat one banana plug into the other in order to short the deployment harness leads.
21. If the air bag did not deploy, disconnect the adapter and discontinue the procedure. Contact the Technical Assistance Group. Otherwise, proceed to the following steps.

Caution: Refer to SIR Deployed Inflator Modules Are Hot Caution in the Preface section.




22. Put on a pair of shop gloves.
23. Disconnect the pigtail adapter from the inflator module as soon as possible.
24. Inspect the pigtail adapter and the SIR deployment harness. Replace as needed.
25. Dispose of the deployed module through normal refuse channels.
26. Wash hands with a mild soap.

Tools Required

Caution: Refer to SIR Inflator Module Disposal Caution in the Preface section.

Caution: Refer to SIR Inflatable Module Deployment Outside Vehicle Caution in the Preface section.

Deploy the inflatable restraint I/P module outside of the vehicle when the vehicle will be returned to service. Situations that require deployment outside of the vehicle include the following:

Deployment and disposal of a malfunctioning inflator module is subject to any required retention period.

1. Turn OFF the ignition.
2. Remove the ignition key.
3. Put on safety glasses.
4. Inspect the J 38826 and the EL-46850 for damage. Replace as needed.
5. Short the 2 SIR deployment harness (1) leads together using one banana plug seated into the other.
6. Connect the SIR deployment harness adapter (2) to the SIR deployment harness (1).
7. Remove the inflatable restraint I/P module. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Instrument Panel Module Replacement .

Caution: Refer to SIR Inflator Module Handling and Storage Caution in the Preface section.




8. Place the module with the vinyl trim cover facing up and away from the surface on a work bench.



9. Clear a space on the ground about 1.85 m (6 ft) in diameter for deployment of the module. 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.
10. Make sure no loose or flammable objects are in the area.
11. Place the J 39401-B in the center of the cleared area.
12. Fill the fixture plastic reservoir with water or sand.

Important: Securely hand tighten all fasteners prior to deployment.

13. Mount the module in the SIR deployment fixture with the vinyl trim cover facing up using one of the following mounting methods.



14. To use the stud mount method, remove the original mounting nuts.
15. Use the J 39401-1 mounting nuts (3) in order to secure the module (1) to the fixture (2).



16. To use the flange mount method, use 4 of the J 39401-13 hold-down nuts whenever possible in order to secure the module to the fixture.
17. If clearance restrictions do not allow the use of the J 39401-13 hold-down nuts, use four M 6 bolts (6), nuts (8), and washers (7) in order to properly secure the I/P module (1) to the deployment fixture.
18. Securely tighten all fasteners prior to deployment.



19. Extend the SIR deployment harness and adapter to full length from the module.
20. Place a 12 volt minimum/2 amp minimum power source, i.e., vehicle battery, near the shorted end of the harness.



21. Connect the module (1) to the adapter (2) on the SIR deployment harness (3).
22. Firmly seat the adapter into the module connector.
23. Clear the area of people.

Caution: Refer to SIR Inflatable Module Deployment Outside Vehicle Caution in the Preface section.




24. Separate the 2 banana plugs on the SIR deployment harness.




Important: 

•	The rapid gas expansion involved with deploying an air bag is very loud. Notify all the people in the immediate area that you intend to deploy the inflator module.

•	When the air bag deploys, the SIR deployment fixture may jump vertically. This is a normal reaction of the inflator module to the force of the rapid gas expansion inside the air bag.

25. Connect the SIR deployment harness wires to the power source.



26. Disconnect the SIR deployment harness from the power source after the air bag deploys.
27. Seat one banana plug into the other in order to short the deployment harness leads.
28. If the air bag did not deploy, disconnect the adapter and discontinue the procedure. Contact the Technical Assistance Group. Otherwise, proceed to the following steps.

Caution: Refer to SIR Deployed Inflator Modules Are Hot Caution in the Preface section.




29. Put on a pair of shop gloves.
30. Disconnect the pigtail adapter from the inflator module as soon as possible.
31. Inspect the pigtail adapter and the SIR deployment harness. Replace as needed.
32. Dispose of the deployed module through normal refuse channels.
33. Wash hands with a mild soap.

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:

Caution: Refer to SIR Inflatable Module Deployment Outside Vehicle Caution in the Preface section.

1. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
2. Remove the ignition key.
3. Put on safety glasses.
4. Remove all loose objects from the front seats.
5. Disconnect the inflatable restraint steering wheel module connector.
6. Cut the harness connector out of the vehicle, leaving at least 16 cm (6 in) of wire at the connector.
7. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each of the connector wire leads.



8. Cut 2 4.6 m (15 ft) deployment wires from a 0.8 mm² (18 gage) or thicker multi-strand wire. Use these wires to fabricate the driver frontal air bag deployment harness.
9. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends of the wires cut in the previous step.
10. Twist together 1 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 air bag.



11. Twist together 1 connector wire lead to 1 deployment wire (1). Secure the connection mechanically.
12. Bend the twisted connection (2) flat. Wrap the connection tightly and securely with electrical tape. The tape will also insulate the connection.
13. Secure the remaining connector wire lead (3) to the remaining deployment wire.
14. Connect the deployment harness to the steering wheel module connector.



15. Route the deployment harness out of the vehicle's driver side.



16. Disconnect the inflatable restraint instrument panel (I/P) module harness connector.
17. Cut the harness connector out of the vehicle, leaving at least 16 cm (6 in) of wire at the connector.
18. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each of the connector wire leads.



19. Cut 2 6.1 m (20 ft) deployment wires from a 0.8 mm² (18 gage) or thicker multi-strand wire. These wires will be used to fabricate the passenger deployment harness.
20. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends of the wires cut in the previous step.
21. Twist together 1 end from each of the wires in order to short the wires.



22. Twist together a connector wire lead to one deployment wire (1). Secure the connection mechanically.
23. Bend the twisted connection (2) flat. Wrap the connection tightly and securely with electrical tape. The tape will also insulate the connection.
24. Secure the remaining connector wire lead (3) to the remaining deployment wire.
25. Connect the deployment harness to the I/P module connector.



26. Route the deployment harness out of the passenger side of the vehicle.
27. Clear the inside and outside of the vehicle of any people or loose and flammable objects.
28. Stretch the driver harness to full length.
29. Stretch the passenger harness to full length.
30. Completely cover the windshield and front door window openings with a drop cloth.



31. Place a power source, 12 volt minimum/2 amp minimum, i.e., a vehicle battery, near the shorted end of the harness.
32. Separate the 2 ends of the driver frontal air bag deployment harness wires.

Notice: The rapid gas expansion involved with deploying an air bag is very loud. Notify all people in the immediate area that you intend to deploy the inflator module.

33. Connect the driver frontal air bag deployment harness wires to the power source in order to deploy the inflatable restraint steering wheel module.
34. Disconnect the driver frontal air bag deployment harness wires from the power source.



35. Separate the 2 ends of the passenger frontal air bag deployment harness wires.
36. Connect the passenger frontal air bag deployment harness wires to the power source in order to deploy the I/P module.
37. Disconnect the passenger frontal air bag deployment harness wires from the power source.



38. Twist together 1 end of each wire on the driver frontal air bag deployment harness in order to short the wires.



39. Twist together 1 end of each wire on the passenger frontal air bag deployment harness in order to short the wires.
40. Remove the drop cloth from the vehicle.
41. Disconnect both harnesses from the vehicle.
42. Discard the harnesses.
43. Scrap the vehicle in the same manner as a non-SIR equipped vehicle.
44. If 1 or both of the modules did not deploy, perform the following steps:

44.1.

Remove the undeployed module(s) from the vehicle. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Replacement and Inflatable Restraint Instrument Panel Module Replacement .

44.2.

Temporarily store the module(s).

44.3.

Call the Technical Assistance Group for further assistance.

After the inflator module has deployed, the surface of the air bag may contain a powdery residue. This powder consists primarily of cornstarch, used to lubricate the bag as it inflates, and by-products of the chemical reaction. The deployment reaction produces sodium hydroxide dust, similar to lye soap. The sodium hydroxide quickly reacts with the atmospheric moisture. This atmospheric moisture converts the sodium hydroxide into sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, baking soda. Therefore, you will probably find no sodium hydroxide present after the deployment. Gloves and safety glasses are recommended, however, as a precaution. Gloves and safety glasses help to prevent possible irritation of the skin or eyes.