Air Bag Safety Precautions

Observe these precautions when servicing the air bag system:

• Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) will maintain system voltage for one minute after system has been disabled or battery has been disconnected.
• Disable air bag system before servicing any air bag system or steering column component. Failure to do so could result in accidental air bag deployment and possible personal injury. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM .
• After repairs, ensure AIR BAG warning light is working properly and no system faults are indicated. See SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK .
• Always wear safety glasses when servicing or handling an air bag module.
• Inflator module must be stored in original special container until used for service. It must be stored in a clean, dry place, away from sources of extreme heat, sparks, or high electrical energy.
• When vehicle will be exposed to temperatures above 150°F (65°C ) as in paint baking process, remove air bag components to avoid damage to components or accidental deployment.
• When painting vehicle, ensure wire harness and connectors will not be exposed to paint mist.
• Store air bag modules and seat belt pretensioners where ambient temperature is below 150°F (65°C ).
• Never use SRS components from another vehicle.
• When placing a live air bag module on a bench or other surface, always make certain that the trim cover (finished side) is facing up and away from surface. This will reduce motion of module if accidentally deployed.
• When placing a live seat belt pretensioner on a bench or other surface, always make certain that the exhaust hole is facing up and away from surface. This will reduce motion of seat belt pretensioner if accidentally deployed.
• DO NOT use SRS components if dropped from a height of 3 feet (0.9 m) or higher.
• After deployment, air bag surface may contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, which can irritate skin. Always wear safety glasses, rubber gloves and long-sleeved shirt during clean-up and wash hands using mild soap and water. Follow correct disposal procedures. See DISPOSAL PROCEDURES .
• At no time should any electrical source be allowed near inflator on back of inflator module.
• When carrying a live air bag module, trim cover should be pointed away from your body to minimize injury in case of accidental deployment.
• DO NOT probe a wire through insulation as damage to wire can result and eventually cause failure due to corrosion.
• When performing electrical tests, prevent accidental shorting of terminals. Such mistakes can damage fuses or components and may cause a second Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) to set, making diagnosis of original problem more difficult.
• If SRS is not fully functional for any reason, vehicle should not be driven until system is repaired. DO NOT remove bulbs, modules, sensors or other components or in any way disable system from operating normally. If air bag system is not functional, park vehicle until repairs can be made.
• When using diagnostic charts to diagnose air bag system, under no circumstances should a volt/ohmmeter, test light or any type of electrical equipment not specified by manufacturer be used.