Description And Operation: Description
Knee AirBags (KAB) are used on both the driver and passenger sides of this vehicle when it is manufactured for domestic markets. Vehicles manufactured for export markets have only a driver side KAB. These airbags are passive, inflatable Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) components. Vehicles with this equipment may be readily identified by the SRS - AIRBAG logo located on the instrument panel steering column opening cover for the driver side and on the glove box door for the passenger side. The KAB units are concealed below the lower edge of the instrument panel, just beneath the steering column opening cover on the driver side or just beneath the glove box door on the passenger side.
The stamped metal airbag housing (1) is secured by four studs (4) with nuts to the stamped metal lower instrument panel reinforcement of the instrument panel support structure. A molded plastic protective cover (3) is secured over the folded airbag cushion by several hook formations stamped into the airbag housing that are engaged through window openings in tabs integral to the outer perimeter of the cover.
The airbag housing contains the airbag inflator and a heat shield. The airbag inflator is a single-initiator, non-azide hybrid-type unit that is secured to the housing by two studs (2) with nuts and sealed within the airbag housing. The airbags are connected to the vehicle electrical system through dedicated take outs and connector insulators of the instrument panel wire harness that connect directly to the inflator initiator (5) of each airbag.
The driver and passenger side KAB units are not interchangeable. The inflator initiators are on the opposite, inboard ends of the module housing and the mounting stud locations are offset to prevent each airbag unit from being installed in the improper location.
The KAB units cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed, ineffective or in any way damaged. If the KAB units are deployed, the steering column opening cover and the glove box must also be replaced.