During the course of a vehicle's useful life, certain situations may arise which will necessitate the disposal of a live (undeployed) pretensioner. The following information covers the proper procedures for the disposing of a live pretensioner. Deploy the pretensioner before disposal. Do not dispose of a live pretensioner through normal disposal channels.

CAUTION: In order to prevent accidental deployment of the pretensioner which could cause personal injury, do not dispose of an undeployed pretensioner as normal shop waste. The undeployed pretensioner 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 pretensioner. Failure to dispose of a pretensioner as instructed may be a violation of federal, state, or local laws.

The pretensioner 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:

Refer to Inflator Module Handling and Scrapping Deployment Inside Vehicle (Vehicle Scrapping Procedure) for deploying the pretensioners inside the vehicle.

Tools Required

Deploy the seat belt pretensioners 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 seat belt pretensioner is subject to any required retention period.

CAUTION: In order to prevent accidental deployment of the pretensioner which could cause personal injury, do not dispose of an undeployed pretensioner as normal shop waste. The undeployed pretensioner 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 pretensioner. Failure to dispose of a pretensioner as instructed may be a violation of federal, state, or local laws.

CAUTION: When you are deploying a pretensioner for disposal, perform the deployment procedures in the order listed. Failure to follow the procedures in the order listed may result in personal injury.

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-46845 for damage. Replace as needed.
5. Short the 2 SIR deployment harness (1) leads together using 1 banana plug seated into the other.
6. Connect the SIR deployment harness adapter (2) to the SIR deployment harness (1).
7. Clear a space around a bench vice about 1.85 m (6 ft) in diameter for deployment of the seat belt pretensioner. Use a space free of activity. Make sure you have sufficient ventilation.
8. Make sure no loose or flammable objects are in the area.
9. Clamp the pretensioner, near the attachment bolt hole, in the vice.
10. Extend the SIR deployment harness and adapter to full length from the seat belt pretensioner.
11. Place a 12 volt minimum/2 amp minimum power source, i.e., vehicle battery, near the shorted end of the harness.
12. Connect the seat belt pretensioner to the adapter on the SIR deployment harness.
13. Firmly seat the adapter into the seat belt pretensioner connector.
14. Clear the area of people.



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

Important: The rapid gas expansion involved with deploying a pretensioner is very loud. Notify all the people in the immediate area that you intend to deploy the seat belt pretensioner.

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



17. Disconnect the SIR deployment harness from the power source after the pretensioner deploys.
18. Seat 1 banana plug into the other in order to short the deployment harness leads.
19. If the pretensioner did not deploy, disconnect the adapter and discontinue the procedure. Contact the Technical Assistance Group. Otherwise, proceed to the following steps.
20. Put on a pair of shop gloves.
21. Disconnect the pigtail adapter from the seat belt pretensioner as soon as possible.
22. Inspect the pigtail adapter and the SIR deployment harness. Replace as needed.
23. Dispose of the deployed seat belt pretensioner through normal refuse channels.
24. Wash hands with a mild soap.

Some gas will be visible after deployment. Exposure to this gas is not a health concern. The pretensioner can be handled immediately after deployment.