1998 DODGE RAM 1500 air

they can be operated in unison by selecting the
proper power seat switch functions, which will raise
or lower the entire seat assembly. The third motor is
the horizontal adjustment motor, which moves the
seat track in the forward and rearward directions.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - POWER SEAT
TRACK
For complete power seat circuit descriptions and
diagrams, refer to Wiring Diagrams.
Operate the power seat switch to move all three
seat motors in each direction. The seat should move
in each of the selected directions. If the power seat
track fails to operate in only one direction, move the
seat track a short distance in the opposite direction
and test again to be certain that the track is not at
its travel limit. If the power seat track still fails to
operate in only one direction, refer to Diagnosis and
Testing of the Power Seat Switch in this section. If
the power seat track fails to operate in more than
one direction, proceed as follows:
(1) Check the power seat fuse in the power distri-
bution center. If OK, go to Step 2. If not OK, replace
the faulty fuse.
(2) Remove the power seat switch from the seat.
Check for battery voltage at the fused B(+) circuit
cavity of the power seat switch wire harness connec-
tor. If OK, go to Step 3. If not OK, repair the open
circuit to the power distribution center as required.(3) Check for continuity between the ground cir-
cuit cavity of the power seat switch wire harness con-
nector and a good ground. There should be
continuity. If OK, go to Step 4. If not OK, repair the
open circuit to ground as required.
(4) Test the power seat switch as described in this
group. If the switch tests OK, check the wire harness
between the power seat switch and the motor for
shorts or opens. If the circuits check OK, replace the
faulty power seat track (adjuster) assembly. If the
circuits are not OK, repair the wire harness as
required.
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the appropriate seat from the vehicle.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/SEATS/SEAT - REMOVAL).
(2) Remove the power seat switch from the seat.
Refer to the procedure in this section of the service
manual.
(3) Remove four seat track mounting nuts from
cushion pan.
(4) Disconnect the power seat electrical and
remove the seat track from the seat cushion.
(5) Remove the necessary components that must
be transferred to the replacement seat track (seat
belt buckles, wire harness, etc.).
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the necessary components that must be
transferred to the replacement seat track (seat belt
buckles, wire harness, etc.).
(2) Position the seat track and install the retaining
nuts on the seat cushion pan studs. Torque the bolts
to 25 N´m.
(3) Route and connect the power seat electrical on
the seat track and cushion pan.
(4) Install the power seat switch on the seat. Refer
to the procedure in this section of the service man-
ual.
(5) Install the seat in the vehicle (Refer to 23 -
BODY/SEATS/SEAT - INSTALLATION).
(6) Connect the negative battery cable.
LUMBAR CONTROL SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
The power lumbar seat option includes an electri-
cally operated lumbar support mechanism. A single
two-way momentary power lumbar switch is integral
with the power seat switches. The power lumbar
switch is secured to the back of the seat cushion side
shield with screws, and the switch paddle protrudes
through a hole to the outside of the shield. The
switch paddle is located in a shallow depression
molded into the outer surface of the seat cushion side
Fig. 5 DR Driver Power Seat Track
1 - POWER SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLY
2 - SEAT TRACK WIRE HARNESS
3 - SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES
DRPOWER SEATS 8N - 17
POWER SEAT TRACK (Continued)

shield that helps to shroud it from unintentional
actuation when entering or leaving the vehicle.
The power lumbar switches cannot be adjusted or
repaired and, if faulty or damaged, the seat switch
assembly must be replaced.
OPERATION
When the power lumbar switch paddle is actuated,
a battery feed and a ground path are applied through
the switch contacts to the power lumbar adjuster
motor. The motor operates to move the lumbar
adjuster through its drive unit in the selected direc-
tion until the switch is released, or until the travel
limit of the adjuster is reached. When the switch is
moved in the opposite direction, the battery feed and
ground path to the motor are reversed through the
switch contacts. This causes the motor to run in the
opposite direction.
The power lumbar switch should not be held
applied in either direction after the adjuster has
reached its travel limit. The power lumbar adjuster
motor contains a self-resetting circuit breaker to pro-
tect it from overload. However, consecutive or fre-
quent resetting of the circuit breaker must not be
allowed to continue, or the motor may be damaged.
REMOVAL
The power lumbar switch is integral with the other
power seat switches. Refer to the appropriate driver
or passenger power front seat switch removal and/or
installation procedure.
LUMBAR MOTOR
DESCRIPTION
The power lumbar seat option includes an electri-
cally operated lumbar support mechanism. The only
visible evidence of this option is the separate power
lumbar switch control paddle that is located on the
outboard seat cushion switch bezel, next to the other
power seat switch control knobs. The power lumbar
adjuster and motor are concealed beneath the seat
back trim cover and padding, where they are secured
to a molded plastic back panel and to the seat back
frame.
The power lumbar adjuster cannot be repaired, and
is serviced only as a unit with the seat back frame. If
the power lumbar adjuster or the seat back frame
are damaged or faulty, the entire seat back frame
unit must be replaced (Refer to 23 - BODY/SEATS/
SEAT BACK - REMOVAL).
OPERATION
The power lumbar adjuster mechanism includes a
reversible electric motor that is secured to theinboard side of the seat back panel and is connected
to a worm-drive gearbox. The motor and gearbox
operate the lumbar adjuster mechanism in the center
of the seat back driving a nut up or down a fixed
drive screw. The action of this nut extends or con-
tracts the plastic lumbar support band. The more
this band is contracted, the more outward pressure is
applied against the center of the seat back padding,
providing additional lumbar support.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - LUMBAR MOTOR
Actuate the power lumbar switch to move the
power lumbar adjuster in each direction. The power
lumbar adjuster should move in both directions. It
should be noted that the power lumber adjuster nor-
mally operates very quietly and exhibits little visible
movement. If the power lumbar adjuster fails to oper-
ate in only one direction, move the adjuster a short
distance in the opposite direction and test again to be
certain that the adjuster is not at its travel limit. If
the power lumbar adjuster fails to operate in only
one direction, Test the appropriate power seat switch
as described in this group. If the power lumbar
adjuster fails to operate in either direction, perform
the following tests. For complete circuit diagrams,
refer toWiring.
(1) Check the power seat circuit breaker. If OK, go
to Step 2. If not OK, replace the faulty power seat
circuit breaker.
(2) Check for battery voltage at the power seat cir-
cuit breaker. If OK, go to Step 3. If not OK, repair
the open fused B(+) circuit to the fuse in the Inte-
grated Power Module as required.
(3) Remove the outboard seat cushion side shield
from the seat. Disconnect the seat wire harness con-
nector from the power lumbar switch connector
receptacle. Check for battery voltage at the fused
B(+) circuit cavity of the power seat wire harness
connector for the power lumbar switch. If OK, go to
Step 4. If not OK, repair the open fused B(+) circuit
to the power seat as required.
(4) Check for continuity between the ground cir-
cuit cavity of the power seat wire harness connector
for the power lumbar switch and a good ground.
There should be continuity. If OK, go to Step 5. If not
OK, repair the open ground circuit to ground as
required.
(5) Test the power lumbar switch. . If the switch
tests OK, test the circuits of the power seat wire har-
ness between the power lumbar adjuster motor and
the power lumbar switch for shorts or opens. If the
circuits check OK, replace the faulty seat back frame
assembly. If the circuits are not OK, repair the power
seat wire harness as required.
8N - 18 POWER SEATSDR
LUMBAR CONTROL SWITCH (Continued)

(5) Momentarily touch the Positive (+) jumper
probe to the other motor connector terminal.
When positive probe is connected the motor should
rotate in one direction to either move window up or
down. If window is all the way up or down the motor
will grunt and the inner door panel will flex when
actuated in that one direction.
(6) Reverse jumper probes at the motor connector
terminals and window should now move in opposite
direction. If window does not move or grunt, replace
the motor.
If window moved completely up or down, reverse
the jumper probes and cycle window to the opposite
position to verify full operation.
If motor grunts and does not move, verify that reg-
ulator is not binding.
WINDOW MOTOR
REMOVAL
The window motor is serviced with the window
regulator (Refer to 23 - BODY/DOOR - FRONT/WIN-
DOW REGULATOR - REMOVAL) or (Refer to 23 -
BODY/DOORS - REAR/WINDOW REGULATOR -
REMOVAL).
WINDOW SWITCH
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - WINDOW SWITCH
The Light-Emitting Diode (LED) illumination
lamps for all of the power window and lock switch
and bezel unit switch paddles receive battery current
through the power window circuit breaker in the
junction block. If all of the LEDs are inoperative in
both the power window and lock switch units and the
power windows are inoperative, (Refer to 8 - ELEC-
TRICAL/POWER WINDOWS - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING). If the power windows operate, but any or
all of the LEDs are inoperative, the power window
and lock switch units with the inoperative LED(s) is
faulty and must be replaced. For complete circuit dia-
grams, refer to the appropriate wiring information.
(1) Check the fuse in the Integrated Power Module
(IPM) and the circuit breaker located near the park
brake pedal. If OK, go to Step 2. If not OK, replace
the faulty fuse or circuit breaker.
(2) Turn the ignition switch to the On position.
Check for battery voltage at the fuse in the Inte-
grated Power Module (IPM). If OK, turn the ignition
switch to the Off position and go to Step 3. If not OK,
check circuit breaker and repair the circuit to the
ignition switch as required.
(3) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Remove the power window switch unit fromthe door trim panel (passenger doors). The drivers
door switch is included with the Driver Door Module
(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/POWER LOCKS/DOOR
MODULE - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING) for service
procedures. Unplug the wire harness connector from
the switch unit.
(4) Test the power window switch continuity. See
the Power Window Switch Continuity charts to deter-
mine if the continuity is correct in the Off, Up and
Down switch positions (Fig. 1). If OK, (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/POWER WINDOWS - DIAGNOSIS
AND TESTING). If not OK, replace the faulty switch.
POWER WINDOW SWITCH CONTINUITY
CHART
SWITCH POSITION CONTINUITY BETWEEN
NEUTRAL PIN 2 AND 5, PIN 4 AND
1
UP (FRONT
PASSENGER)PIN 6 AND 5
UP (REAR
PASSENGER)PIN 6 AND 1
DOWN (FRONT
PASSENGER)PIN 6 AND 1
DOWN (REAR
PASSENGER)PIN 6 AND 5
REMOVAL
FRONT PASSENGER
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Remove the door trim panel (Refer to 23 -
BODY/DOOR - FRONT/TRIM PANEL - REMOVAL).
(3) Remove the switch from the trim panel bezel.
Fig. 1 PASSENGER DOOR SWITCH
8N - 20 POWER WINDOWSDR
POWER WINDOWS (Continued)

RESTRAINTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
RESTRAINTS
DESCRIPTION..........................2
OPERATION............................4
WARNING
WARNINGS - RESTRAINT SYSTEM........5
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM...................6
STANDARD PROCEDURE
STANDARD PROCEDURE - HANDLING
NON-DEPLOYED SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINTS.........................6
STANDARD PROCEDURE - SERVICE
AFTER A SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
DEPLOYMENT.........................7
STANDARD PROCEDURE - VERIFICATION
TEST................................9
ACM COVER
REMOVAL.............................10
INSTALLATION.........................10
AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE
DESCRIPTION.........................11
OPERATION...........................11
REMOVAL.............................12
INSTALLATION.........................13
AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR
DESCRIPTION.........................14
OPERATION...........................14
CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHOR
DESCRIPTION.........................15
OPERATION...........................17
REMOVAL.............................17
INSTALLATION.........................18
CLOCKSPRING
DESCRIPTION.........................18
OPERATION...........................19
STANDARD PROCEDURE - CLOCKSPRING
CENTERING.........................19
REMOVAL.............................20
INSTALLATION.........................21
DRIVER AIRBAG
DESCRIPTION.........................23
OPERATION...........................23
REMOVAL.............................24
DISASSEMBLY.........................25
ASSEMBLY............................26
INSTALLATION.........................28
FRONT CENTER SEAT BELT & RETRACTOR
REMOVAL.............................29
INSTALLATION.........................29FRONT CENTER SEAT BELT
REMOVAL.............................30
INSTALLATION.........................31
FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT &
RETRACTOR
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - STANDARD CAB............32
REMOVAL - QUAD CAB................33
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - STANDARD CAB.........35
INSTALLATION - QUAD CAB.............36
FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE
REMOVAL.............................37
INSTALLATION.........................38
PASSENGER AIRBAG
DESCRIPTION.........................39
OPERATION...........................40
REMOVAL.............................40
INSTALLATION.........................41
PASSENGER AIRBAG ON/OFF SWITCH
DESCRIPTION.........................42
OPERATION...........................43
REMOVAL.............................43
INSTALLATION.........................44
REAR CENTER SEAT BELT & RETRACTOR
REMOVAL.............................44
INSTALLATION.........................45
REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT & RETRACTOR
REMOVAL.............................46
INSTALLATION.........................47
REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - CENTER & LEFT OUTBOARD . . 48
REMOVAL - CENTER ANCHOR & RIGHT
OUTBOARD..........................49
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - CENTER & LEFT
OUTBOARD..........................50
INSTALLATION - CENTER ANCHOR &
RIGHT OUTBOARD....................50
SEAT BELT SWITCH
DESCRIPTION.........................51
OPERATION...........................51
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - SEAT BELT
SWITCH............................51
SEAT BELT TENSIONER
DESCRIPTION.........................52
OPERATION...........................53
DRRESTRAINTS 8O - 1

SEAT BELT TENSION REDUCER
DESCRIPTION.........................53
OPERATION...........................54
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - SEAT BELT
TENSION REDUCER...................54
SEAT BELT TURNING LOOP ADJUSTER
REMOVAL.............................55
INSTALLATION.........................55
SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG
DESCRIPTION.........................56
OPERATION...........................56REMOVAL.............................57
INSTALLATION.........................58
SIDE IMPACT SENSOR
DESCRIPTION.........................59
OPERATION...........................59
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - STANDARD CAB............59
REMOVAL - QUAD CAB................60
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - STANDARD CAB.........61
INSTALLATION - QUAD CAB.............61
RESTRAINTS
DESCRIPTION
An occupant restraint system is standard factory-
installed safety equipment on this model. Available
occupant restraints for this model include both active
and passive types. Active restraints are those which
require the vehicle occupants to take some action to
employ, such as fastening a seat belt; while passive
restraints require no action by the vehicle occupants
to be employed (Fig. 1).
ACTIVE RESTRAINTS
The active restraints for this model include:
²Front Seat Belts- Both outboard front seating
positions are equipped with three-point seat belt sys-
tems employing a lower B-pillar mounted inertia
latch-type emergency locking retractor, height-adjust-
able upper B-pillar mounted turning loops, a fixed
lower seat belt anchor secured to the lower B-pillar
(standard cab) or floor panel adjacent to the B-pillar
(quad cab), and a traveling end-release seat belt
buckle secured to the inboard seat track. The driver
side retractor for standard cab models includes an
electrically actuated seat belt tension reducer. The
passenger side front seat retractor for all models is
also switchable from an emergency locking retractor
to an automatic locking retractor. The front seat belt
buckle for the driver side of all models includes an
integral seat belt switch that detects whether its seat
belt has been fastened. The center front seating posi-
tion for standard cab models is also equipped with a
three-point seat belt employing a floor panel
mounted inertia latch-type retractor, a routing
bracket and bezel near the top of the cab back panel,
and two fixed end-release buckles secured to the cen-
ter seat cushion frame. The center front seating posi-
tion for quad cab models is equipped with a fixed lap
belt and an end-release buckle secured to the center
seat cushion frame.
²Rear Seat Belts- All three rear seating posi-
tions are equipped with three-point seat belt sys-
tems. The outboard seating position belts employ a
lower C-pillar mounted inertia latch-type emergencylocking retractor, a fixed position upper C-pillar
mounted turning loop, and a fixed lower seat belt
anchor secured to the lower C-pillar. The rear seat
center seating position belt has a rear floor panel
mounted inertia latch-type emergency locking retrac-
tor and a routing bracket and bezel on the top of the
cab back panel. The end-release buckle units for the
right outboard seating position and the center seat-
ing position lower anchor are integral to the center
retractor mounting bracket on the rear floor panel.
The end-release buckle units for the center and left
outboard seating positions are individually secured to
the rear floor panel on models with the standard
equipment rear bench seat, or secured with the rear
seat mounting hardware on models with the optional
60/40 split rear bench seat.
²Child Restraint Anchors- All standard cab
models are equipped with two, fixed-position, child
seat upper tether anchors that are integral to the
upper cab back panel reinforcement and concealed
behind individual trim cover and bezel units that are
integral to the cab back trim panel. All quad cab
models are equipped with three child seat upper
tether anchor straps that are secured to the upper
cab back panel reinforcement, behind the upright
rear seat back. Two lower anchors are also provided
for the front outboard seating position of standard
cab models, and for each rear outboard seating posi-
tion on quad cab models. These lower anchors are
accessed from the front of the seat where the seat
back meets the seat cushion. The child seat tether
and lower anchors for the front seat are deleted on
quad cab models.
PASSIVE RESTRAINTS
The passive restraints available for this model
include the following:
²Dual Front Airbags- Multistage driver and
front passenger airbags are available for this model.
This airbag system is a passive, inflatable, Supple-
mental Restraint System (SRS) and vehicles with
this equipment can be readily identified by the ªSRS
- AIRBAGº logo molded into the driver airbag trim
cover in the center of the steering wheel and also
8O - 2 RESTRAINTSDR

into the passenger airbag door on the instrument
panel above the glove box (Fig. 2). Vehicles with the
airbag system can also be identified by the airbag
indicator, which will illuminate in the instrument
cluster for about six seconds as a bulb test each time
the ignition switch is turned to the On position. A
pyrotechnic-type seat belt tensioner is integral to the
front outboard seat belt retractors mounted on each
lower B-pillar of all models equipped with dual front
airbags.
²Side Curtain Airbags- Optional side curtain
airbags are available for this model when it is also
equipped with dual front airbags. This airbag systemis a passive, inflatable, Supplemental Restraint Sys-
tem (SRS) and vehicles with this equipment can be
readily identified by a molded identification trim but-
ton with the ªSRS - AIRBAGº logo located on the
headliner above each B-pillar (Fig. 2).
The supplemental restraint system includes the
following major components, which are described in
further detail elsewhere in this service information:
²Airbag Control Module- The Airbag Control
Module (ACM) is also sometimes referred to as the
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). The ACM is
located on a mount on the floor panel transmission
tunnel, below the center of the instrument panel.
Fig. 1 Supplemental Restraint System
1 - AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE
2 - PASSENGER AIRBAG
3 - PASSENGER AIRBAG ON/OFF SWITCH (STD CAB ONLY)
4 - DRIVER AIRBAG5 - SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG (2)
6 - SIDE IMPACT SENSOR (2 - W/SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS
ONLY)
7 - SEAT BELT TENSIONER (2)
DRRESTRAINTS 8O - 3
RESTRAINTS (Continued)

²Airbag Indicator- The airbag indicator is inte-
gral to the ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster
(EMIC), which is located on the instrument panel in
front of the driver.
²Clockspring- The clockspring is located near
the top of the steering column, directly beneath the
steering wheel.
²Driver Airbag- The driver airbag is located in
the center of the steering wheel, beneath the driver
airbag trim cover.
²Driver Knee Blocker- The driver knee blocker
is a structural unit secured to the back side of and
integral to the instrument panel steering column
opening cover.
²Passenger Airbag- The passenger airbag is
located on the instrument panel, beneath the passen-
ger airbag door on the instrument panel above the
glove box on the passenger side of the vehicle.
²Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch- Standard
cab models without a rear seat are equipped with a
passenger airbag on/off switch, which is located on
the right side of the instrument panel center bezel.
²Passenger Knee Blocker- The passenger knee
blocker is a structural reinforcement that is integral
to and concealed within the glove box door.
²Seat Belt Tensioner- The seat belt tensioner
is integral to the front outboard seat belt retractor
units on vehicles equipped with dual front airbags.
²Side Impact Sensor- Two side impact sensors
are used on vehicles equipped with the optional side
curtain airbags, one left side and one right side. One
sensor is located behind the B-pillar trim near the
base of each B-pillar.
²Side Curtain Airbag- In vehicles equipped
with this option, a side curtain airbag is located on
each inside roof side rail above the headliner, and
extends from the A-pillar to the B-pillar on standard
cab models, and from the A-pillar to the C-pillar on
quad cab models.The ACM and the EMIC each contain a central
processing unit and programming that allow them to
communicate with each other using the Programma-
ble Communications Interface (PCI) data bus net-
work. This method of communication is used by the
ACM for control of the airbag indicator on all models
equipped with dual front airbags. (Refer to 8 - ELEC-
TRICAL/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES/
COMMUNICATION - DESCRIPTION).
Hard wired circuitry connects the supplemental
restraint system components to each other through
the electrical system of the vehicle. These hard wired
circuits are integral to several wire harnesses, which
are routed throughout the vehicle and retained by
many different methods. These circuits may be con-
nected to each other, to the vehicle electrical system,
and to the supplemental restraint system compo-
nents through the use of a combination of soldered
splices, splice block connectors, and many different
types of wire harness terminal connectors and insu-
lators. Refer to the appropriate wiring information.
The wiring information includes wiring diagrams,
proper wire and connector repair procedures, further
details on wire harness routing and retention, as well
as pin-out and location views for the various wire
harness connectors, splices and grounds.
OPERATION
ACTIVE RESTRAINTS
The primary passenger restraints in this or any
other vehicle are the standard equipment factory-in-
stalled seat belts and child restraint anchors. Seat
belts and child restraint anchors are referred to as
an active restraint because the vehicle occupants are
required to physically fasten and properly adjust
these restraints in order to benefit from them. See
the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for more
information on the features, use and operation of all
of the factory-installed active restraints.
PASSIVE RESTRAINTS
The passive restraints are referred to as a supple-
mental restraint system because they were designed
and are intended to enhance the protection for the
occupants of the vehicleonlywhen used in conjunc-
tion with the seat belts. They are referred to as pas-
sive restraints because the vehicle occupants are not
required to do anything to make them operate; how-
ever, the vehicle occupants must be wearing their
seat belts in order to obtain the maximum safety
benefit from the factory-installed supplemental
restraint system.
The supplemental restraint system electrical cir-
cuits are continuously monitored and controlled by a
microprocessor and software contained within the
Fig. 2 SRS Logo
8O - 4 RESTRAINTSDR
RESTRAINTS (Continued)

Airbag Control Module (ACM). An airbag indicator in
the ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC)
illuminates for about six seconds as a bulb test each
time the ignition switch is turned to the On or Start
positions. Following the bulb test, the airbag indica-
tor is turned on or off by the ACM to indicate the
status of the supplemental restraint system. If the
airbag indicator comes on at any time other than
during the bulb test, it indicates that there is a prob-
lem in the supplemental restraint system electrical
circuits. Such a problem may cause airbags not to
deploy when required, or to deploy when not
required.
Deployment of the supplemental restraints
depends upon the angle and severity of an impact.
Deployment is not based upon vehicle speed; rather,
deployment is based upon the rate of deceleration as
measured by the forces of gravity (G force) upon the
impact sensors. When an impact is severe enough,
the microprocessor in the ACM signals the inflator of
the appropriate airbag units to deploy their airbag
cushions. The outboard front seat belt tensioners are
provided with a deployment signal by the ACM in
conjunction with the driver and passenger front air-
bags. During a frontal vehicle impact, the knee block-
ers work in concert with properly fastened and
adjusted seat belts to restrain both the driver and
the front seat passenger in the proper position for an
airbag deployment. The knee blockers also absorb
and distribute the crash energy from the driver and
the front seat passenger to the structure of the
instrument panel. The seat belt tensioner removes
the slack from the outboard front seat belts to pro-
vide further assurance that the driver and front seat
passenger are properly positioned and restrained for
an airbag deployment.
Typically, the vehicle occupants recall more about
the events preceding and following a collision than
they do of an airbag deployment itself. This is
because the airbag deployment and deflation occur
very rapidly. In a typical 48 kilometer-per-hour (30
mile-per-hour) barrier impact, from the moment of
impact until the airbags are fully inflated takes
about 40 milliseconds. Within one to two seconds
from the moment of impact, the airbags are almost
entirely deflated. The times cited for these events are
approximations, which apply only to a barrier impact
at the given speed. Actual times will vary somewhat,
depending upon the vehicle speed, impact angle,
severity of the impact, and the type of collision.
When the ACM monitors a problem in any of the
supplemental restraint system circuits or compo-
nents, including the seat belt tensioners, it stores a
fault code or Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) in its
memory circuit and sends an electronic message to
the EMIC to turn on the airbag indicator. Propertesting of the supplemental restraint system compo-
nents, the Programmable Communications Interface
(PCI) data bus, the electronic message inputs to and
outputs from the EMIC or the ACM, as well as the
retrieval or erasure of a DTC from the ACM or EMIC
requires the use of a DRBIIItscan tool. Refer to the
appropriate diagnostic information.
See the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for
more information on the features, use and operation
of all of the factory-installed passive restraints.
WARNING
WARNINGS - RESTRAINT SYSTEM
WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH, DURING AND FOLLOWING ANY SEAT BELT
OR CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHOR SERVICE, CARE-
FULLY INSPECT ALL SEAT BELTS, BUCKLES,
MOUNTING HARDWARE, RETRACTORS, TETHER
STRAPS, AND ANCHORS FOR PROPER INSTALLA-
TION, OPERATION, OR DAMAGE. REPLACE ANY
BELT THAT IS CUT, FRAYED, OR TORN.
STRAIGHTEN ANY BELT THAT IS TWISTED.
TIGHTEN ANY LOOSE FASTENERS. REPLACE ANY
BELT THAT HAS A DAMAGED OR INOPERATIVE
BUCKLE OR RETRACTOR. REPLACE ANY BELT
THAT HAS A BENT OR DAMAGED LATCH PLATE
OR ANCHOR PLATE. REPLACE ANY CHILD
RESTRAINT ANCHOR OR THE UNIT TO WHICH THE
ANCHOR IS INTEGRAL THAT HAS BEEN BENT OR
DAMAGED. NEVER ATTEMPT TO REPAIR A SEAT
BELT OR CHILD RESTRAINT COMPONENT.
ALWAYS REPLACE DAMAGED OR FAULTY SEAT
BELT AND CHILD RESTRAINT COMPONENTS WITH
THE CORRECT, NEW AND UNUSED REPLACEMENT
PARTS LISTED IN THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOPAR
PARTS CATALOG.
WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH, ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS,
DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYS-
TEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING
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.
DRRESTRAINTS 8O - 5
RESTRAINTS (Continued)