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FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR
1. Never reuse the front airbag sensors involved in a collisionwhen the airbag has deployed. (Replace both the left and
right airbag sensors.)
2. Install the front airbag sensor with the arrow on the sensor facing toward the front of the vehicle.
3. The front airbag sensor set bolts have been anti±rust treated. When the sensor is removed, always replace the set bolts
with new ones.
4. The front airbag sensor is equipped with an electrical connection check mechanism. Be sur\
e to lock this mechanism securely when connecting the connector. If the connector is not securely locked, a malfunction
code will be detected by the diagnosis system (See page AB±7).
SPIRAL CABLE (in COMBINATION SWITCH)
The steering wheel must be fitted correctly to the steering column with the\
spiral cable at the neutral posi-
tion, otherwise cable disconnection and other troubles may result. Refer to pa\
ge AB±17 of this manual con-
cerning correct steering wheel installation.
STEERING WHEEL PAD (with AIRBAG)
1. When removing the steering wheel pad or handling a new steering wheel pad, it should be placed with the pad top
surface facing up.
In this case, the twin±lock type connector lock lever should be
in the locked state and care should be taken to place it so the
connector will not be damaged. And do not store a steering
wheel pad on top of another one. (Storing the pad with its me-
tallic surface up may lead to a serious accident if the airbag
inflates for some reason.)
2. Never measure the resistance of the airbag squib. (This may cause the airbag to deploy, which is very dangerous.)
AB±3SRS AIRBAG ± General Description
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3. Grease should not be applied to the steering wheel pad and the pad should not b\
e cleaned with detergents
of any kind.
4. Store the steering wheel pad where the ambient temperature remains below 93 °C (200 °F), without high
humidity and away from electrical noise.
5. When using electric welding, first disconnect the airbag connector (yellow \
color and 2 pins) under the steering column near the combination switch connector before starting work.
6. When disposing of a vehicle or the steering wheel pad alone, the airbag shou\
ld be deployed using an SST before disposal (See page AB±91). Perform the operation in a place away from electrical noise.
CENTER AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY
The connector of the center airbag sensor assembly should be connected or d\
isconnected with the sensor
mounted on the floor. It the connector is connected or disconnected while the center airbag \
sensor assem-
bly is not mounted to the floor, it could cause undesired ignition of the airbag system.
WIRE HARNESS AND CONNECTOR
The airbag system wire harness is integrated with the cowl wire harness ass\
embly. The wires for the airbag
wire harness are encased in a yellow corrugated tube. All the connectors\
for the system are also a standard
yellow color. If the airbag system wire harness becomes disconnected or the connecto\
r becomes broken
due to an accident, etc., repair or replace it as shown on page AB±20.
AB±4
SRS AIRBAG
± General Description
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OPERATION
FUNCTION OF COMPONENTS
1. FRONT AIRBAG SENSORA front airbag sensor is mounted inside each of the front
fenders. The sensor unit is a mechanical type. When the sen-
sor detects deceleration force above a predetermined limit in
a collision, the contacts in the sensor make contact, sending
a signal to the center airbag sensor assembly. The sensor
cannot be disassembled.
2. SPIRAL CABLE (in COMBINATION SWITCH) A spiral cable is used as an electrical joint from the vehicle
body side to the steering wheel.
3. STEERING WHEEL PAD (with AIRBAG) The inflater and bag of the airbag system are stored in the
steering wheel pad and cannot be disassembled.
The inflater contains a squib, igniter charge, gas generant,
etc., and inflates the bag in case of a frontal collision.
4. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT The airbag warning light is located on the combination meter.
It goes on to alert the driver of trouble in the system when a
malfunction is detected in the center airbag sensor assembly
self±diagnosis. In normal operating condition when the igni-
tion switch is turned to the ACC or ON position, the light goes
on for about 6 seconds and then goes off.
5. CENTER AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY The center airbag sensor assembly is mounted on the floor
inside the center cluster. The center airbag sensor assembly
consists of a center airbag sensor, safing sensors, ignition
control and drive circuit, diagnosis circuit, etc. It receives sig-
nals f rom the airbag sensors, judges whether the airbag must
be activated or not and diagnoses system malfunctions. AB±5
± OperationSRS AIRBAG
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6. AIRBAG CONNECTORSAll connectors in the airbag system are colored yellow to distinguish them \
from other connectors. Connec-
tors having special functions and specifically designed for airbags are used\
in the locations shown below
to ensure high reliability. These connectors use durable gold±plated terminals.
Terminal Twin±Lock Mechanism
Airbag Activation Prevention Mechanism
Electrical Connection Check Mechanism
Connector Twin±Lock Mechanism
(1) Terminal Twin±Lock MechanismEach connector has a two±piece construction consisting
of a housing and a spacer. This design secures the lock-
ing of the terminal by two locking devices (the spacer
and the lance) to prevent terminals from coming out.
(2) Airbag Activation Prevention Mechanism Each connector contains a short spring plate. When the connector is disconnected, the short spring
plate automatically connects the power source and grounding terminals of the \
squib.
AB±6SRS AIRBAG ± Operation
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Page 221 of 4087
HINT: The illustration shows connectors (3) and (4). Connector (1) has \
a short spring plate on the fe-
male terminal side, but the operating principle is the same.
(3) Electrical Connection Check MechanismThis mechanism is designed to electrically check if con-
nectors are connected correctly and completely.
The electrical connection check mechanism is designed
so that the connection detection pin connects with the
diagnosis terminals when the connector housing lock is
in the locked condition.
HINT: The illustration shows connector (5). Connector (1) also has the s\
ame operating principle.
AB±7SRS AIRBAG ± Operation
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(4) Connector Twin±Lock MechanismWith this mechanism connectors (male and female connectors) are locked by \
two locking devices to
increase connection reliability. If the primary lock is incomplete, ribs interfere and prevent the seco\
nd-
ary lock.
When the vehicle is involved in a frontal collision in the hatched area (Fi\
g. 1) and the shock is larger than a prede-
termined level, the airbag is activated automatically. Safing sensors are designed to go on at a smaller decelera-
tion rate than the front and center airbag sensors. As illustrated in Fig. 2\
below, ignition is caused when current
flows to the squib, which happens when a safing sensor and a front airbag sen\
sor and/or the center airbag sen-
sor go on simultaneously.
When a deceleration force acts on the sensors, it causes the squib to ignite\
. Gas is then generated, increasing
the pressure inside the bag rapidly. The inflated bag breaks open the steering wheel pad. Bag inflation then
ends, and the gas is discharged through discharge holes provided behind the b\
ag. The bag becomes deflated
as a result.
AB±8SRS AIRBAG ± Operation
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INSPECTION ITEMS AND REPLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS
If a Vehicle is brought in for an airbag system inspection, or if a vehicle wh\
ich has been involved in a collision
is inspected, perform the inspection in accordance with the following proc\
edure. If any problems are discovered,
replace the affected part with a new one.
Steering Wheel Pad (with Airbag), Steering Wheel and Spiral
Cable
INSPECTION ITEMS
1. VEHICLES NOT INVOLVED IN A COLLISION(a) Perform a diagnostic system check (See page AB±30).
(b) Perform a visual check which includes the following items with the steering wheel pad (with airbag) installed in the vehicle.
w Check for cuts, minute cracks or marked discoloration of
the steering wheel pad top surface and grooved portion.
2. VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IF THE AIRBAG IS NOT DEPLOYED
(a) Perform a diagnostic system check (See page AB±30).
(b) Perform a visual check which includes the following items with the steering wheel pad (with airbag) removed from the vehicle.
w Check for cuts or cracks in, or marked discoloration of the
steering wheel pad top surface and grooved portion.
w Check for cuts and cracks in, or chipping of connectors and
wire harnesses.
w Check for deformation of the horn button contact plate of
the steering wheel.
HINT: w If the horn button contact plate of the steering wheel is
deformed, never repair it. Always replace the steering
wheel assembly with a new one.
w There should be no interference between the steering
wheel pad and the steering wheel, and the clearance
should be uniform all the way around when the new
steering wheel pad is installed on the steering wheel.
CAUTION: For removal and installation of the steering wheel
pad, see page AB±14, ªREMOVAL AND INSTALLATIONº and be
sure to follow the correct procedure.
IF THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED
(a) Perform a diagnostic system check (See page AB±30).
(b) Perform a visual check which includes the following items with the steering wheel pad (with airbag) removed from the vehicle.
w Check for deformation of the horn button contact plate of
the steering wheel.
w Check for damage to the spiral cable connector and wire
harness.
AB±9SRS AIRBAG ± Inspection Items and Replacement Requirements
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HINT:
w If the horn button contact plate of the steering wheel is deformed, never \
repair it. Always replace the
steering wheel assembly with a new one.
w There should be no interference between the steering wheel pad and the steeri\
ng wheel, and the
clearance should be uniform all the way around when the new steering wheel pad is\
installed on the
steering wheel.
REPLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS
In the following cases, replace the steering wheel pad, steering wheel or \
spiral cable.
CAUTION: For replacement of the steering wheel pad, see page AB±16, ªREMOVAL AND INSTALLA-
TIONº and be sure to follow the correct procedure.
w If the airbag has been deployed.
w If the steering wheel pad or spiral cable has been found to be faulty in\
troubleshooting.
w If the steering wheel pad, steering wheel or spiral cable has been found t\
o be faulty during the check
in item 1±(b) or 2±(b).
w If the steering wheel pad has been dropped.
Front Airbag Sensor
INSPECTION ITEMS
1. VEHICLES NOT INVOLVED IN A COLLISION
w Perform a diagnostic system check (See page AB±30).
2. VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A COLLISION (a) Perform a diagnostic system check (See page AB±30).
(b) If the front fender of the car or its periphery is damaged, perform visual check for damage to the front airbag
sensor, which includes the following items even if the
airbag was not deployed:
w Bracket deformation.
w Peeling of paint from the bracket.
w Cracks, dents or chips in the case.
w Cracks and dents in, or chipping and scratches of
the connector.
w Peeling off of the label or damage to the series
number.
Also refer to the body dimension drawings on page
BO±133 and check the dimensions and mounting sur-
face angle of the body area where the front airbag sen-
sors are mounted.
AB±10SRS AIRBAG ± Inspection Items and Replacement Requirements
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