General Information; Description And Operation - Jeep 1997 Grand Cherokee Service Manual

8M - 2 PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
GENERAL INFORMATION (Continued)
WARNING:
• THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE, COM-
PLEX ELECTROMECHANICAL
ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE OR SERVICE ANY AIR-
BAG SYSTEM OR RELATED STEERING WHEEL,
STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL
COMPONENTS YOU MUST FIRST DISCONNECT
AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND)
CABLE. THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE FUR-
THER SYSTEM SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE
WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE
TO DO THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
• THE AIRBAG MODULE INFLATOR ASSEMBLY
CONTAINS SODIUM
NITRATE. THESE MATERIALS ARE POISONOUS
AND EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. CONTACT WITH
ACID, WATER, OR HEAVY METALS MAY PRODUCE
HARMFUL AND IRRITATING
HYDROXIDE IS FORMED IN THE PRESENCE OF
MOISTURE) OR COMBUSTIBLE COMPOUNDS. IN
ADDITION, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MODULE
CONTAINS ARGON GAS PRESSURIZED TO OVER
2500 PSI. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISMANTLE AN
AIRBAG MODULE OR TAMPER WITH ITS INFLA-
TOR. DO NOT PUNCTURE, INCINERATE, OR BRING
INTO CONTACT WITH ELECTRICITY. DO NOT
STORE AT TEMPERATURES EXCEEDING 93° C
(200° F).
•
REPLACE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS
ONLY WITH PARTS SPECIFIED IN THE CHRYSLER
MOPAR PARTS CATALOG. SUBSTITUTE PARTS
MAY APPEAR INTERCHANGEABLE, BUT INTERNAL
DIFFERENCES MAY RESULT IN INFERIOR OCCU-
PANT PROTECTION.
•
THE FASTENERS, SCREWS, AND BOLTS
ORIGINALLY USED FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM
COMPONENTS HAVE SPECIAL COATINGS AND
ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. THEY MUST NEVER BE REPLACED WITH
ANY SUBSTITUTES. ANY TIME A NEW FASTENER
IS NEEDED, REPLACE IT WITH THE CORRECT FAS-
TENERS PROVIDED IN THE SERVICE PACKAGE OR
SPECIFIED IN THE CHRYSLER MOPAR PARTS CAT-
ALOG.
• WHEN A STEERING COLUMN HAS AN AIRBAG
MODULE ATTACHED, NEVER PLACE THE COLUMN
ON THE FLOOR OR ANY OTHER SURFACE WITH
THE STEERING WHEEL OR AIRBAG MODULE FACE
DOWN.
UNIT. BEFORE
AZIDE AND POTASSIUM
GASES (SODIUM

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

AIRBAG MODULE
DRIVER SIDE
The airbag module protective trim cover is the
most visible part of the driver side airbag system.
The module is mounted directly to the steering
wheel. Located under the airbag module trim cover
are the horn switch, the airbag cushion, and the air-
bag cushion supporting components. The airbag mod-
ule includes a housing to which the cushion and
inflator are attached and sealed. The airbag module
cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed
or in any way damaged.
The inflator assembly is mounted to the back of
the airbag module. The inflator seals the hole in the
airbag cushion so it can discharge the gas it produces
directly into the cushion when supplied with the
proper electrical signal. The protective trim cover is
fitted to the front of the airbag module and forms a
decorative cover in the center of the steering wheel.
Upon airbag deployment, this cover will split at a
predetermined breakout line.
PASSENGER SIDE
The instrument panel top pad is the most visible
part of the passenger side airbag system. Located
under the instrument panel top pad are the airbag
cushion and its supporting components. The airbag
module includes a housing to which the cushion and
inflator are attached and sealed. The airbag module
cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed
or in any way damaged.
The inflator assembly is mounted to the back of
the airbag module. The inflator seals the hole in the
airbag cushion so it can discharge the gas it produces
directly into the cushion when supplied with the
proper electrical signal. The instrument panel top
pad above the glove box opening has a door and pre-
determined breakout lines concealed beneath its dec-
orative cover. Upon airbag deployment, the top pad
will split at the breakout lines and the door will pivot
out of the way.
The airbag module is secured to two mounting
brackets beneath the instrument panel top pad and
above the glove box opening. The airbag front mount-
ing bracket (closest to the dash panel) is welded to
the instrument panel armature. The airbag rear
mounting bracket (closest to the passenger) is bolted
to the instrument panel armature. Following an air-
bag deployment, the airbag rear mounting bracket
and the instrument panel top pad must be replaced.
If the airbag front mounting bracket is damaged, the
instrument panel armature assembly must also be
replaced.
ZG