Side Curtain Airbag (SABIC)

SABICs are standard equipment in this vehicle. This airbag system consists of passive, inflatable SRS components and vehicles with this equipment can be readily identified by a molded identification AIRBAG  logo located on the top of each B and C-pillar upper trim panels near the headliner.

The side curtain airbag system is designed to reduce injuries to the vehicle occupants in the event of a side impact collision. Each side curtain airbag cushion provides coverage of the side glass adjacent to all seating positions on the same side of the vehicle as the monitored impact.

Each vehicle is equipped with two individually controlled side curtain airbag units. These side curtain airbag units are concealed and mounted above the headliner where they are each secured to one of the roof side rails. Each folded airbag cushion is contained within a fabric wrap and several miniature plastic wrappers that extend along the roof rail from the A-pillar at the front of the vehicle to the D-pillar in the rear of the vehicle. A tether extends from the front of the SABIC along the lower A-pillar. The end of the tether is secured to the A-pillar sheet metal using a single fastener. The rear of each SABIC has a locating tab and a single fastener to attach the rear of the SABIC to the rear roof structural support.

The side curtains use a hybrid inflator. To deploy the airbag, the ORC sends a current to the airbag inflator which ignites the chemical pellets. When the chemical pellets ignite, the pressure of the expanding gases produces enough pressure to break a containment cap of a cylinder of inert gas. The gas is directed to the side curtain airbag. The side current airbags will stay inflated for approximately 5 seconds to help protect passengers in the event of a rollover event. The deflation rate of the airbags is controlled by the tightness of the airbag fabric mesh.

Each SABIC is deployed individually by an electrical signal generated by the ORC to which it is connected through the left or right SABIC line 1 and line 2 (or squib) circuits. The hybrid-type inflator assembly for each airbag contains a small canister of highly compressed inert gas. When the ORC sends the proper electrical signal to the airbag inflator, the electrical energy creates enough heat to ignite chemical pellets within the inflator.

Once ignited, these chemicals burn rapidly and produce the pressure necessary to rupture a containment disk in the inert gas canister. The inflator and inert gas canister are sealed and connected to a tubular manifold so that all of the released gas is directed to the folded airbag cushion, causing the cushion to inflate. As the cushion inflates it will drop down from the roof rail between the edge of the headliner and the side glass/body pillars to form a curtain-like cushion to protect the vehicle occupants during a side impact collision incident. The cushion features large chambers that inflate adjacent to the head of each front and rear seat occupant.

The front tether and rear locating tab keep the side curtain airbag cushion taut to the side of the vehicle. In addition, ramps integral to the side trim of the interior, integral to the side curtain airbag modules themselves and the shape of the roof rails at the tops of the B, C and D-pillars guide the cushion to the proper deployment position. Following the deployment, the cushion slowly deflates by venting the inert gas through the loose weave of the cushion fabric and the deflated cushion hangs down loosely from the roof rail.

The ORC monitors the condition of the side curtain airbags through circuit resistance. If any fault is detected the ORC will illuminate the airbag indicator in the instrument cluster and store a DTC. Proper diagnosis of the side curtain airbag inflator and squib circuits requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool and may also require the use of the Airbag Kit. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

The side curtain airbag units cannot be adjusted or repaired and must be replaced if deployed, ineffective, or in any way damaged. Once a side curtain airbag has been deployed, the complete side curtain airbag unit, the headliner, and the upper A, B, C and D-pillar trim, as well as all other visibly damaged components must be replaced.