Dodge RAM TRUCK 1500 1995 Service Manual page 500

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RESTRAINT
S Y S T E M S
8 1 -
3
S E R V I C E P H @ e E © U R E S
I R B a u S Y S T E M S E R V I C E ( D E P L O Y E D )
Any vehicle which is to be returned to use after an
airbag deployment, must have the airbag module and
clockspring replaced. These are one-time components
and cannot be reused. Other airbag system compo­
nents are replaced as required by the extent of dam­
age.
In addition, the airbag module should be disarmed
whenever the steering wheel or steering column re­
quires service or removal Failure to observe this
warning could result in accidental airbag deployment
and possible personal injury. Eefer to Group 19 -
Steering for additional service procedures on steering
wheel and steering column.
A I R B A G
MODULE
H A N D L I N G
M no time should any source of electricity be per­
mitted near the inflator on the back of the module.
When carrying an undeployed module, the trim cover
should be pointed away from the body to minimize
injury in the event of accidental deployment. If the
module is placed on a bench or other surface, the
plastic trim cover should be face up to minimize
movement in case of accidental deployment.
Following an airbag deployment, the vehicle inte­
rior will contain a powdery residue. This residue is
primarily sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), used as
an airbag cushion lubricant. However, there will also
be traces of sodium hydroxide powder, a chemical
byproduct of the generant used for airbag deploy­
ment. Since this powder can irritate the skin, eyes,
nose or throat, be sure to wear safety glasses, rubber
gloves and a long-sleeved shirt during cleanup (Fig.
1).
Fig, 1 Wear Safety Glasses And Rubber Gloves
If you
e x p e r i e n c e
skin
i r r i t a t i o n
during
cleanup,
ran
cool
w a t e r
over
t h e
affected
area*
Also,
i f
you
e x p e r i e n c e i r r i t a t i o n
of
t h e
m©se
or
• t h r o a t , e x i t t h e v e h i c l e
for
fresh a i r
until
t h e
ir­
ritation
c e a s e s .
If irritation continue^
see a
physician.
CLEANUP PROCEDURE
Begin cleanup by putting tape over the airbag ex­
haust vent (Fig. 2) so that no more powder will find
its way into the vehicle interior. Then remove the air-
bag and airbag module from the vehicle.
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any residual pow­
der from the vehicle interior. Clean from outside the
vehicle and work your way inside, so that you avoid
kneeling or sitting on an uncleaned area.
Be sure to vacuum the heater and A/O outlets as
well (Fig. 3). Eun the blower on low and vacuum any
powder expelled from the plenum. You may need to
vacuum the interior of the car a second time to re­
cover all of the powder.
Place the deployed airbag and module in your ve­
hicular scrap pile.
A I R B A G M O D U L E R E M O V E / I N S T A L L
WARNING: THIS S Y S T E M IS A SENSITIVE, COM­
PLEX ELECTRO-MECHAMICAL UNIT. BEFORE AT­
TEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE, REMOVE OR INSTALL
THE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS YOU MUST
FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY
NEGATIVE (GROUND) G A B L E . THEN WAIT 2 MIN­
UTES FOR SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE
BEFORE FURTHER S Y S T E M SERVICE. FAILURE TO
DO S O COULD R E S U L T IN ACCIDENTAL DEPLOY­
MENT AND POSSIBLE P E R S O N A L INJURY.