Air Bag Module

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada, 1997 GMC Sonoma, 1997 GMC Jimmy, 1997 Chevrolet S10 Pickup, and 1997 Chevrolet Blazer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

When the vehicle is in an accident of sufficient force to simultaneously close the arming sensor and at least one discriminating sensor, nitrogen gas inflates the cloth bag packed inside the steering wheel hub. As air bag is contacted by driver or passenger, the gas is vented through openings in the bag, which deflates almost as soon as it is completely deployed.

There is a shorting bar on the air bag module side of the upper steering column connector which connects the SIR coil to the air bag module. The shorting bar shorts the air bag module circuit when the upper steering column connector is disconnected. The circuit to the air bag module is shorted in this way to help prevent unwanted deployment of the air bag when servicing the air bag module or steering column.