Passive Restraints

The passive restraints include:

Driver and Passenger Front Airbags  - This airbag system is a passive, inflatable, Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). Vehicles with this equipment can be readily identified by the "SRS AIRBAG" logo molded into the driver airbag trim cover in the steering wheel (1) and also into the passenger airbag area (2) of the instrument panel top pad above the glove box.

Vehicles with the SRS can also be identified by the Airbag Warning Indicator, which will illuminate in the Instrument Cluster (IC) for about six seconds as a bulb test each time the ignition switch is turned to the "RUN" position.

The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) also includes the following major components.

Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)  - The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) is located on a mount on the top of the transmission tunnel (2) in front of the shifter, under the front center console.

ORC System Logic  - The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) uses an impact severity level (threshold) to determine the appropriate response from the ORC. Impacts that exceed the initial threshold in frontal, front-angled, and rear impacts trigger only the SBT that have the seat belt fastened. If the seat belt is not fastened, the system will not recognize the belt and not trigger the SBT. But, if the impact is severe enough, the airbags will be triggered even if the seat belts are not fastened. Impacts that exceed the higher threshold always trigger the airbags. The driver and passenger SRS systems operate independently of one another based on seat belt use. SBT actuation occurs only if the seat belts are buckled. After an impact that activates an SBT, the SBT assembly must be replaced. The ORC monitors operational readiness of the SRS and illuminates the airbag warning indicator lamp in the Instrument Cluster (IC) if a malfunction should occur. The following system components are monitored or undergo a self-check at startup. The side-impact sensor, airbag ignition circuits (squibs), seat belt buckle switches and the SBT. The airbag warning indicator lamp also illuminates briefly each time the engine is started, allowing the driver to verify its operation.

Airbag Warning Indicator Lamp  - The airbag warning indicator lamp is integral to the Instrument Cluster (IC), which is located on the Instrument Panel (IP) in front of the driver.

Clockspring  - The clockspring is located at the top of the steering column, directly beneath the steering wheel where it is attached to the column by two screws (1).

Driver Front Airbag  - The driver front airbag (1) is located in the center of the steering wheel, as part of the steering wheel trim cover.

Passenger Front Airbag  - The passenger front airbag (1) is located on the instrument panel structural duct, beneath the instrument panel top pad and above the glove box.

The passenger front air bag can be deactivated when a child seat or small child occupies that seat by using the ignition key to turn the switch (1) to the OFF position. This will illuminate the passenger airbag OFF warning lamp on the center console. This indicates that the passenger front airbag is deactivated. The passenger front airbag will not be activated until the switch is turned to the ON position and the passenger airbag OFF warning lamp goes out.

The passenger airbag off warning lamp (1) in the center console illuminates when the air bag is deactivated.

Side Impact Sensor  - Two side impact sensors (2) are installed, one left side and one right side. The sensors are mounted on the body cross brace in the center of the door sill plates directly under the carpet.

Side Impact Airbag  - The side impact airbags are concealed behind the door trim panels above the armrest. The side impact airbag is riveted (1) to the door's interior structure and activated by a squib (2). SRS logos on the trim panels denote the presence of the airbags. If the airbag is triggered during a lateral collision, the airbag tears open a seam on the inner door trim and inflates within 0.007 seconds to form a protective cushion between the passenger and the door. Thus the impact on the passenger's thorax and the ejecting motion of the head, which might otherwise cause serious injuries, are reduced.

The ORC and the Instrument Cluster (IC) each contain a central processing unit and programming that allow them to communicate with each other using the Controller Area Network (CAN). This method of communication is used by the ORC for control of the airbag indicator lamp.

Hard wired circuitry connects the SRS components to each other through the electrical system of the vehicle. These hard wired circuits are integral to several wire harnesses, which are routed throughout the vehicle and retained by many different methods. These circuits may be connected to each other, to the vehicle electrical system, and to the SRS components through the use of a combination of soldered splices, splice block connectors, and many different types of wire harness terminal connectors and insulators. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures, further details on wire harness routing and retention, as well as pin-out and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.