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AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM
1998 AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS Mercedes-Benz 
DESCRIPTION & OPERATION 
All models are equipped with Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). The main components of SRS are a driver 
air bag module, passenger air bag module, control unit, SRS warning light, driver knee bolster, passenger knee 
bolster, and Emergency Tensioning Retractor (ETR) seat belt assembly. Additionally, all vehicles provide 
driver-side and passenger-side impact protection by side air bags which are mounted in the driver-side and 
passenger-side doors. Each of the door mounted side air bags utilize sensors which recognize lateral 
acceleration durin
g side impact and signal this to the control module. See Fig. 1. NOTE: Information on ML320 is not available. For WIRING DIAGRAMS, See Fig. 32
 .
WARNING:To avoid injury from accidental air bag deployment, read and carefully 
follow all WARNINGS and SERVICE PRECAUTIONS
 .
 
1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1998 AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS Mercedes-Benz  
 
1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1998 AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS Mercedes-Benz  
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Fig. 29: Testing Seat Occupation Recognition Sensor 
Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA 
WIRING DIAGRAMS 
 
1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
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Fig. 30: Air Bag System Wiring Diagram (C230, C280 & CLK320)
 
1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
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Fig. 31: Air Bag System Wiring Diagram (E300, E320, E420 & E430)
 
1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
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Fig. 32: Air Bag System Wiring Diagram (ML320)
 
1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1998 AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS Mercedes-Benz  
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Fig. 33: Air Bag System Wiring Diagram (S320, S420 & S500)
 
1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1998 AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS Mercedes-Benz  
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Fig. 34: Air Bag System Wiring Diagram (SLK230)
 
1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1998 AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS Mercedes-Benz  
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        Page 365 of 4133

2000-01 ACCESSORIES/SA FETY EQUIPMENT 
Mercedes-Benz - Air Bag Restraint Systems 
DESCRIPTION & OPERATION  
All models are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Syst  em (SRS). The main components of SRS are driver- 
side air bag module, passenger-side air bag module, si  de air bag modules (located in doors), SRS control  
module, side air bag sensors, SRS   warning light, driver knee bolster, pa ssenger knee bolster, and Emergency  
Tensioning Retractor (ETR) seat belt   assembly. Additionally, some vehicles  may be equipped with head impact  
(curtain type) air bags (located ar  ound door windows behind door frame trims).  
Both SRS and ETR are electronically   activated by a single control module. There are 2 thresholds which must  
be exceeded to trigger an ETR acti  on, air bag deployment, or both. If a  moderately severe frontal collision  
occurs exceeding first triggering thre  shold where protection from safety belt is sufficient, only Emergency  
Tensioning Retractor (ETR) is activated if   safety belt is buckled. If a moderately severe frontal collision occurs  
exceeding first triggering threshold where   protection from safety belt is sufficient, but safety belt is not buckled,  
air bag is deployed and ETR is not activated.  
If a severe frontal collision occurs   exceeding second triggering threshold  where protection from safety belt is  
insufficient, air bag is deploye  d. ETR is activated if safety belt is buckled. If safety belt is not buckled, ETR is  
not activated when second triggering threshold is reached.   Passenger air bag will deploy even if passenger seat  
is not occupied when a triggering thre  shold is exceeded. If during a severe frontal collision the power supply is  
interrupted, the driver and passenger air bag can   still be deployed, but ETR cannot be activated.  
The side air bag on the driver-side deploys whenever th  e driver-side air bag module is deployed and when there  
is a substantial side impact crash. The air bag on the pa  ssenger-side will activate only when a sensor (Occupied  
Seat Recognition Sensor) in the passenger seat sends a si  gnal to the SRS control module that the passenger-side  
seat is occupied. During a collision,   the side air bag will then deploy.  
COMPONENT LOCATIONS   NOTE: The following 2000 in 
formation represents the latest information available at  
time of publication and m  ay be useful in diagnosing  2001 vehicles. 2001 wiring  
diagrams have been included   at the end of this article. 
WARNING:  Accidental air bag deployment is pos sible. Personal injury may result.  
Read and follow all WARNINGS and AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
  
before working on ai  r bag system or related components.
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
2000-01 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Merc edes-Benz - Air Bag Restraint Systems  
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
2000-01 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mercedes-Benz - Air Bag Restraint Systems  
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