Passenger Airbag: Description

Fig 1: Passenger Airbag Door

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

The rearward facing surface of the injection molded, thermoplastic passenger airbag door is the most visible part of the optional passenger airbag. See Fig 1. The passenger airbag door is located above the glove box opening in front of the front seat passenger seating position on the instrument panel. The upper and lower edges of the airbag door are secured by a snap-fit to molded plastic clips. The two clips at the top are each secured by a screw to the instrument panel base trim, while the clips at the bottom are integral to the panel that surrounds the passenger airbag door opening in the instrument panel base trim. The airbag door is also secured to the airbag housing by two wide woven straps that serve as hinges for the door upon an airbag deployment.

Located behind the passenger airbag door is the passenger airbag unit. See Fig 2. The airbag housing is constructed of a long U-shaped aluminum extrusion with two stamped steel end plates. A stepped flange that extends from the back of the extrusion serves as the airbag mounting flange. This mounting flange is secured with screws to a stamped steel airbag mounting bracket that is secured with screws to the tubular steel instrument panel structural support above the glove box opening. The end plates are secured to each side of the passenger airbag housing with screws.

Fig 2: Passenger Airbag Unit

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

The passenger airbag unit used in this model is a Next Generation-type that complies with revised federal airbag standards to deploy with less force than those used in some prior models. The airbag housing contains the folded airbag cushion, the airbag retainer, and the airbag inflator. The airbag is a rectangular fabric cushion. The airbag inflator is a solid fuel, pyrotechnic-type unit that is secured to and sealed within the airbag housing along with the folded airbag cushion. The inflator initiator connector receptacle is connected to the vehicle electrical system through a dedicated take out of the vehicle wire harness with a yellow connector insulator.

The passenger airbag and airbag door unit cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed, faulty or in any way damaged.