Side Impact Module

Tools Required
J 38826 SIR Deployment Harness

Deploy the inflator module(s) outside of the vehicle when you intend to return the vehicle to service. Situations that require deploying the inflator module outside the vehicle include the following:
^ Using the SIR Diagnostics, you determine the inflator module does not function correctly.
^ The inflator module is cosmetically damaged such as a scratch or rip in the cover
^ The inflator module pigtail(if equipped) is damaged.
^ The inflator module connector is damaged.
^ An inflator module connector terminal is damaged.

Deployment and disposal of a malfunctioning inflator module is subject to any required retention period.

You must follow these inflator module deployment procedures exactly. Always wear safety glasses during this deployment procedure. Do not remove your safety glasses until the deployed inflator module is scrapped or shipped. Before performing the deployment procedures you should be familiar with servicing the SIR system and with proper handling of the inflator module. Procedures should be read fully before they are performed. The following procedures requires the use of:
^ J 38826 SIR deployment harness.
^ The appropriate pigtail adapter.

Do not attempt the procedure without the J 38826 SIR deployment harness and the adapter.

CAUTION: When you are deploying an Inflator module for disposal, perform the deployment procedures in the order listed:
^ Wear safety glasses throughout the procedures.
^ Clear a space on the ground about 1.85 meters (six feet) in diameter where the inflator module will be deployed.
^ Make sure the area around the inflator module is clear of all people and loose or flammable objects.
^ Short the deployment harness wires as instructed.
^ Connect the deployment harness to the inflator module before you connect it to the power source.
^ Connect the deployment harness to the power source to immediately deploy the air bag.
Failure to follow the procedures in the order listed may result in personal injury.

Important
^ This information applies only to inflatable restraint side impact inflator modules. Refer to Deployment Outside of the Vehicle (Inflatable Restraint I/P Module) for information on inflatable restraint I/P module scrapping. Refer to Deployment Outside of the Vehicle (Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module) for information on inflatable restraint steering wheel module scrapping.

1. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
2. Remove the key.
3. Put on safety glasses.
4. Inspect the J 38826 SIR Deployment Harness and appropriate pigtail adapter for damage.
^ If damage occurs to the SIR deployment harness or the pigtail adapter, then obtain a replacement.
5. Short the two SIR deployment harness leads together by fully seating one banana plug into the other.
^ Keep the SIR deployment harness(1) shorted until the air bag is to be deployed (Figure 29).
^ Do not connect the SIR deployment harness to a power source until the air bag is to be deployed (Figure 29).
6. Connect the appropriate pigtail adapter (2) to the SIR deployment harness (Figure 29).
7. Remove the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module from the vehicle.

Figure 29 - Shorting The SIR Deployment Harness Wires:

Figure 30 - Proper Storage Of An Inflator Module:

CAUTION: When you are carrying an undeployed inflator module:
^ Do not carry the inflator module by the wires or connector on the inflator module.
^ Make sure the bag opening points away from you.
When you are storing an undeployed inflator module, make sure the bag opening points away from the surface on which the inflator module rests. When you are storing a steering column, do not rest the column with the bag opening facing down and the column vertical. Provide free space for the air bag to expand In case of an accidental deployment. Otherwise, personal injury may result.

8. Place the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module with its vinyl trim cover facing up and away from the surface on a work bench or another surface (Figure 30).
9. Place the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module away from all loose or flammable objects.
10. Clear a space on the ground about 1.85 m (6 ft.) in diameter where you intend to deploy the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module. If possible, use a paved, outdoor location free of activity. Otherwise, use a space free of activity on the shop floor. Make sure you have sufficient ventilation.
11. Make sure no loose or flammable objects are within the deployment area (Figure 31).
12. Place the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module in the space just cleared, with its vinyl trim cover facing up (Figure 31).

Figure 31 - Provide Adequate Clearance For The Air Bag To Deploy:

Figure 32 - Stretching The SIR Deployment Harness And Pigtail Adapter:

13. Extend the SIR deployment harness and the pigtail adapter to full length from the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module (Figure 32).
14. Place a power source near the shorted end of the SIR deployment harness. Use a vehicle battery when available, but always use a power source that complies to the following:
^ 12 volts minimum.
^ 2 amps minimum.

Important
Firmly seat the pigtail adapter into the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module connector. Failure to fully seat the connectors may result in non-deployment of the inflator module.

15. Connect the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module to the pigtail adapter on the SIR deployment harness (Figure 33).
^ The deployment harness shall remain shorted until you are ready to deploy the air bag.
^ Do not connect the SIR deployment harness to a power source until you are ready to deploy the air bag.
^ The inflator module will immediately deploy when you connect the power source.

16. Clear the area of all people and loose or flammable objects (Figure 31).
17. Make sure that you place the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module with its vinyl trim cover facing up.

Figure 33 - Connecting The SIR Deployment Harness To The Inflator Module:

Figure 34 - Swperating The Two Shorted Banana Plugs:

18. Notify all people in the immediate area before you deploy the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module.
^ An inflatable restraint side impact inflator module deployment is very loud.
^ The deployment may startle any uninformed people in the area.

19. Separate the two banana plugs on the SIR deployment harness (Figure 34).

CAUTION: When you are deploying an Inflator module for disposal, perform the deployment procedures in the order listed:
^ Wear safety glasses throughout the procedures.
^ Make sure the area around the Inflator module is clear of all people and loose or flammable objects.
^ Short the deployment harness wires as Instructed.
^ Connect the deployment harness to the inflator module before you connect it to the power source.
^ Connect the deployment harness to the power source to Immediately deploy the air bag.
Failure to follow the procedures in the order listed may result In personal Injury.

Figure 35 - Connecting To A Power Source:

Figure 36 - Handling A Hot, Deployed Inflator Module:

NOTICE: When the air bag deploys, the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module may jump about 30 cm (one foot) vertically. This is a normal reaction of the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module to the force of the rapid gas expansion inside the air bag.

NOTICE: The rapid gas expansion involved with deploying an air bag is very loud. Notify all people in the immediate area that you intend to deploy the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module.

20. Connect the SIR deployment harness wires to the power source. This immediately deploys the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module (Figure 35).
21. Use a vehicle battery when available, but always use a power source that complies to the following:
^ 12 volts minimum.
^ 2 amps minimum.

22. Disconnect the SIR deployment harness from the power source.
23. Short the SIR deployment harness leads together by fully seating one banana plug into the other (Figure 29).
24. In the unlikely event that the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module did not deploy after following these procedures, proceed immediately with Steps 33 through 36. If the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module did deploy, proceed with Steps 28 through 32.
25. Put on a pair of shop gloves to protect your hands from possible heat and irritation when handling the deployed inflatable restraint side impact inflator module (Figure 36).

After the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module has deployed, the surface of the air bag may contain a powdery residue. This powder consists primarily of cornstarch (used to lubricate the bag as it inflates), and by-products of the chemical reaction. The deployment reaction produces sodium hydroxide dust (similar to lye soap). The sodium hydroxide quickly reacts with the atmospheric moisture. This atmospheric moisture converts the sodium hydroxide into sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Therefore, you will probably find no sodium hydroxide present after the deployment. As a precaution, gloves and safety glasses are recommended. Gloves and safety glasses help to prevent possible irritation of the skin or eyes.

CAUTION: Immediately following the deployment of an air bag, the metal surfaces of the inflator module are very hot. Do not place the deployed inflator module near any flammable objects. Wait for about ten minutes before touching any metal surface of the inflator module. Disregarding these precautions may cause fire or personal injury.

The metal canister and the area surrounding the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module are very hot. Do not touch the metal areas of the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module for about ten minutes after deployment. If you must move the deployed inflatable restraint side impact inflator module, use caution. Always wear gloves and handle the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module by the air bag or the vinyl trim (Figure 36).

26. Disconnect the pigtail adapter from the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module as soon after the deployment as possible. This will prevent the hot inflatable restraint side impact inflator module canister from damaging the pigtail adapter, or the SIR deployment harness. The pigtail adapter and the SIR deployment harness are reusable.
27. Inspect the pigtail adapter, and the SIR deployment harness for damage after each use. Replace the pigtail adapter, or the SIR deployment harness, as necessary.
28. Allow the deployed inflatable restraint side impact inflator module to cool for at least 10 minutes. Dispose of the deployed inflatable restraint side impact inflator module through the normal refuse channels.
29. Wash your hands with a mild soap and water.

NOTICE: The remaining steps are to be followed in the unlikely event that the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module did not deploy after following these procedures.

30. Make sure that you disconnect the SIR deployment harness from the power source. Make sure that you have shorted the two banana plugs together (Figure 29).
31. Disconnect the pigtail adapter from the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module.

CAUTION: When you are carrying an undeployed inflator module:
^ Do not carry the inflator module by the wires or connector on the inflator module.
^ Make sure the bag opening points away from you.
When you are storing an undeployed inflator module, make sure the bag opening points away from the surface on which the inflator module rests. When you are storing a steering column, do not rest the column with the bag opening facing down and the column vertical. Provide free space for the air bag to expand in case of an accidental deployment. Otherwise, personal injury may result.

32. Temporarily store the inflatable restraint side impact inflator module with its vinyl trim cover facing up.
33. Call the Technical Assistance group for further assistance.