Side Air Bag: Service and Repair

SIDE AIR BAG MODULE







Removal

WARNING:
- Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
- Carry a live side air bag module with the air bag and tear seam pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
- Do not set a live side air bag module down on the cover tear seam. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
- After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
- Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.
- Side air bag modules with damaged covers must be replaced.
- Front seat back trim covers installed on seats equipped with side air bags cannot be repaired, they are to be replaced. Cleaning is permissible.
- To reduce the risk of personal injury, do not use any memory saver devices.

NOTE:
- If a seat equipped with a supplemental restraint system (SRS) component is being serviced, the SRS must be depowered.
- The air bag warning lamp illuminates when the RCM fuse is removed and the ignition switch is ON. This is normal operation and does not indicate a supplemental restraint system (SRS) fault.
- If a side air bag deployment took place a new seat back pad, trim cover, and side air bag module must be installed. The seat back frame should be replaced if necessary.
- When replacing the side air bag after deployment, refer to Seats.
- The SRS must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.
- Repair is made by installing a new part only. If the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and carry out the diagnostic procedure again.
- Passenger seat side air bag module shown, driver side similar.

All seats

1. Remove the front seat and depower the system.







2. Remove the inboard seat cushion side shield.
1 Remove the rear screw.
2 Push the inboard seat cushion side shield forward to release.







3. Loosen the safety belt buckle pretensioner bolt.







4. WARNING: Note the position of the wiring harness, to aid installation. An incorrectly routed wiring harness could become damaged when the seat is moved. Failure to follow this instruction may result in personal injury.

Disconnect the side air bag module electrical connector and detach the wiring retainers.

Seats with manual lumbar adjust
5. Turn the manual lumbar knob clockwise until it stops, releasing all tension on the manual lumbar support cable.







6. Pull and remove the manual lumbar knob.

All seats
7. Fully recline the seat backrest.







8. Release the seat back trim cover J-clip.
9. Move the seat backrest to the upright position.

10. WARNING: Front seat back trim covers installed on seats equipped with side air bags cannot be repaired; they are to be replaced (cleaning is permissible).

CAUTION: Use care when separating the seat cushion trim cover from the hook and loop strip. The hook and loop strip can be torn from the seat cushion foam.

Place a hand between the seat backrest trim cover and foam pad and carefully separate the hook and loop strips.

11. Carefully roll up the seat back trim cover in an inside out fashion to the side air bag module.







12. Release the hook and loop retainer from around seat backrest frame.







13. Release the side air bag module deployment chute J-clip from around the side air bag module.







14. Feed the side air bag module deployment chute, J-clips, and hook and loop retainer out through the side air bag module seat back foam opening.
15. Continue to roll seat trim cover up to access the side air bag module.







16. Detach the 2 side air bag module wiring harness retainers from the seat backrest frame.







17. Remove the 2 side air bag module nuts and remove the side air bag module.

Installation

WARNING:
- Inspect the mounting surfaces of the side air bag module and the seat back frame mounting bracket for any foreign objects before installing the side air bag module. If any foreign objects are found, remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.
- Inspect the seat side air bag deployment chute and the seat side air bag cavity in the seat back pad for any foreign objects. If any foreign objects are found remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury in the event of an air bag deployment.
- Before installing the side air bag module, check it for damage and foreign objects. If the air bag module is damaged, replace it. If any foreign objects are found, remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.
- If the air bag deployment chute is not properly positioned, the side air bag may not deploy properly.
- If the air bag cover has separated or the air bag material has been exposed, install a new side air bag module. Do not attempt to repair the air bag module. Failure to do so may result in personal injury in the event of an air bag deployment.

CAUTION: Make sure the side air bag module wiring harness is not pinched between the side air bag module and the mounting bracket.

All seats







1. Install the side air bag module and nuts onto the seat backrest frame mounting bracket.
- To install, tighten to 5 Nm (44 lb-in).







2. Attach the 2 side air bag module wiring harness retainers to the seat backrest frame.
3. Roll down the seat trim cover to the side air bag module.







4. WARNING: Check the side air bag deployment chute for damage. The deployment chute must not be repaired. If there is any damage to the deployment chute, the seat back trim cover and deployment chute must be installed new as a unit.

Feed the side air bag module deployment chute, J-clips, and hook and loop retainer back through the side air bag module seat back foam opening.







5. WARNING: If the air bag deployment chute is not properly positioned, the side air bag may not deploy properly.

Install the side air bag module deployment chute and J-clips around the side air bag module and seat backrest frame.







6. Install the hook and loop fastener around the seat backrest frame.
7. Roll the seat trim cover down in position and attach the hook and loop strips.
8. Feed the seat back trim cover rear J-clip through seat between the seat backrest and seat cushion.
9. Fully recline the seat backrest.







10. Attach the seat back trim cover J-clips.
11. Move seat backrest to the upright position.

Seats with manual lumbar adjust







12. Install the manual lumbar control knob.

All seats







13. Connect the side air bag electrical connector and attach the wiring retainers.







14. Tighten the safety belt buckle pretensioner bolt.
- Tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).







15. Install the inboard seat cushion side shield and screw.
16. Install the front seat and repower the system.