Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 676

DR
SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG (Continued)
pressed inert gas. When the ACM 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 into the folded side curtain
airbag cushion, causing the cushion to inflate.
As the airbag 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. The front tether keeps the front por-
tion of the side curtain bag taut, thus ensuring that
the bag will deploy in the proper position. Following
the airbag deployment, the airbag cushion quickly
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.
REMOVAL
The following procedure is for replacement of a
faulty or damaged side curtain airbag. If the airbag
is faulty or damaged, but not deployed, review the
recommended procedures for handling non-deployed
supplemental restraints. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - HAN-
DLING NON-DEPLOYED
RESTRAINTS). If the side curtain airbag has been
deployed, review the recommended procedures for
service after a supplemental restraint deployment
before removing the airbag from the vehicle. (Refer to
8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PRO-
CEDURE - SERVICE AFTER A SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT).
WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH, ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS,
DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYS-
TEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, AIRBAG, SEAT BELT
TENSIONER, IMPACT SENSOR, OR INSTRUMENT
PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE.
DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGA-
TIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES
FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE
BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR
SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DIS-
ABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM.
FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS
COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOY-
MENT.
WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH, WHEN REMOVING A DEPLOYED AIRBAG,
RUBBER GLOVES, EYE PROTECTION, AND A
LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT SHOULD BE WORN. THERE
MAY BE DEPOSITS ON THE AIRBAG UNIT AND
OTHER INTERIOR SURFACES. IN LARGE DOSES,
THESE DEPOSITS MAY CAUSE IRRITATION TO THE
SKIN AND EYES.
WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH, USE EXTREME CARE TO PREVENT ANY
FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM ENTERING THE SIDE
CURTAIN AIRBAG, OR BECOMING ENTRAPPED
BETWEEN THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG CUSHION
AND THE HEADLINER. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS
WARNING COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURIES
UPON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to
discharge before further service.
to
REMOVAL).
airbag tether retainer to the base of the A-pillar near
the belt line (Fig. 53).
SUPPLEMENTAL
ANY STEERING
plastic retainer clips from the A-pillar.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
(2) Remove the headliner from the vehicle. (Refer
23 - BODY/INTERIOR/HEADLINER
(3) Remove the screw that secures the side curtain
Fig. 53 Side Curtain Airbag Remove/Install - Typical
1 - ROOF SIDE RAIL
2 - SPRING NUT (4 - STD CAB/6 - QUAD CAB)
3 - SCREW (4 - STD CAB/6 - QUAD CAB)
4 - CLIP (2)
5 - RIVET NUT
6 - SCREW
7 - SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG
8 - RETAINER (3 - STD CAB/5 - QUAD CAB)
9 - WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR
(4) Disengage the two side curtain airbag tether
RESTRAINTS 8O - 57
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