Curtain Airbag: Description
Optional side curtain airbags are available for this model when it is also equipped with dual front airbags. These airbags are passive, inflatable, Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) components, and vehicles with this equipment can be readily identified by a molded identification trim button with the "SRS - AIRBAG" logo located on the headliner above each B-pillar. See Fig 1. This system is designed to reduce injuries to the vehicle occupants in the event of a side impact collision.
Vehicles equipped with side curtain airbags have two individually controlled curtain airbag units. These airbag units are concealed and mounted above the headliner where they are each secured to one of the roof side rails. See Fig 2. Each folded airbag cushion is contained within a long extruded plastic channel that extends along the roof rail from the A-pillar at the front of the vehicle to just behind the C-pillar at the rear of the vehicle. The channel is secured with plastic push-in fasteners to the roof rail.
| 1 - INFLATOR |
| 2 - MANIFOLD |
| 3 - CHANNEL |
| 4 - TETHER |
| 5 - PIGTAIL WIRE RETAINER (3) |
| 6 - PUSH-IN FASTENER (4) |
| 7 - BRACKET (3) |
A tether extends down the A-pillar from the front of the airbag cushion, where it is retained to the pillar with a plastic push-in routing clip and is secured to the base of the A-pillar near the belt line with a screw. The hybrid-type inflator for each airbag is secured to the roof rail at the rear of the airbag unit between the C-pillar and the D-pillar, and is connected to the airbag cushion by a long tubular manifold. The bracket holding the inflator and three other brackets holding the manifold are secured to the roof rail with screws.
A two-wire pigtail harness is routed forward from the airbag inflator through a trough along the top of the plastic airbag channel on the roof rail and down the B-pillar, where it is retained by three routing clips. The pigtail harness is connected to a take out and connector of the body wire harness on the B-pillar, which connects the airbag unit to the Airbag Control Module (ACM).
The side curtain airbag unit cannot be adjusted or repaired and must be replaced if deployed, faulty, or in any way damaged. Once a side curtain airbag has been deployed, the complete airbag unit, the headliner, the upper A, B, and C-pillar trim, and all other visibly damaged components must be replaced.