2004 DODGE CARAVAN light

exterior lights will flash, the horn will sound, and the
ignition will not start the vehicle. If this occurs, disarm
the system.
SLIDING SIDE DOOR
The sliding door may be opened from the inside or the
outside. Pull out on the outside handle to open the
sliding door from the outside. To open the sliding door
from the inside, press the button on the grab handle and
open the door.
To keep your door operating properly, observe the fol-
lowing guidelines:
²Always open the door smoothly.
28 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

If the liftgate is locked and is not equipped with a
powered liftgate, pressing the button on the remote
keyless entry transmitter will result in the liftgate becom-
ing unlocked for 30 seconds allowing you to manually
access the liftgate area.
NOTE:On vehicles without power locks, the liftgate can
only be opened using the vehicle keys. The key must be
held in the unlocked position for the liftgate to open.
Power Liftgate Ð If Equipped
The power liftgate may be opened manually or by using
the button on the remote keyless entry transmitter. Press
the button on the remote keyless entry transmitter twice
within five seconds, to open the power liftgate. Once the
liftgate is fully open, pressing the button twice within
five seconds a second time will close the liftgate.
The power liftgate may also be opened by pressing the
button located on the overhead console.When the remote keyless entry transmitter button is
pressed and the ªLamp Flashº feature is enabled, the tail
lights will flash to signal that the liftgate is opening or
closing.
34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
During power operation, personal injury or cargo
damage may occur. Ensure the liftgate travel path is
clear. Make sure the liftgate is closed and latched
before driving away.
NOTE:
²If anything obstructs the power liftgate while it is
closing or opening, the liftgate will automatically
reverse to the closed or open position, provided it
meets sufficient resistance.
²There are also pinch sensors attached to the side of the
liftgate opening. Light pressure anywhere along these
strips will cause the liftgate to return to the open
position.
²The power liftgate must be in the full open or close
positions for any of the buttons to operate. If the
liftgate is not in the full open or close positions it must
be opened or closed manually.
²If the liftgate release button is activated while the
power liftgate is closing, the liftgate will reverse to the
full open position.
²The power liftgate buttons will not operate if the
vehicle is in gear or the vehicle speed is above 0 mph
(0 km/h).
²The power liftgate will not operate in temperatures
below212ÉF (224ÉC) or temperatures above 143ÉF
(62ÉC). Be sure to remove any build-up of snow or ice
from the liftgate before pressing any of the power
liftgate buttons.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 35
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WARNING!
²Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions the airbags won't deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you
have airbags.
²Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel during front airbag deployment could
cause serious injury. Airbags need room to inflate.
Sit back, comfortably extending your arms to
reach the steering wheel or instrument panel.
²If the vehicle has side airbags, they also need
room to inflate. Do not lean against the door. Sit
upright in the center of the seat.
The Front Airbag System consists of the following:
²Front Airbag Control Module (with integrated side
impact sensor - if equipped)
²AIRBAG Readiness Light
²Driver Airbag
²Front Passenger Airbag
²Steering Wheel and Column
²Instrument Panel
²Seat Belt Readiness Light
²Front Seat Belt Pretensioners
²Interconnecting Wiring
²Knee Impact Bolster
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

How The Front Airbag System Works
²
Thefrontairbag control module determines if a frontal
impact is severe enough to require the front airbags to
inflate. Based on the level of collision severity, the front
airbag control module determines the proper rate of
inflation. The front airbag inflators are designed to
provide different rates of airbag inflation. The front
airbag control module will not detect roll over, or rear
collisions.
The front airbag control module also monitors the
readiness of the electronic parts of the system when-
ever the ignition switch is in the START or ON
positions. These include all of the items listed above
except the knee bolster, instrument panel and the
steering wheel and column. If the key is in the OFF
position, in the ACC position, or not in the ignition
switch, the front airbags are not on and will not inflate.The front airbag control module sends a
message to the instrument cluster to turn on
the AIRBAG light in the instrument panel
for 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is
first turned ON, then turns the light off. If the front
control module detects a malfunction in any part of the
system, the airbag light will turn on either momen-
tarily or continuously.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG light in your instrument panel
could mean you won't have the airbags to protect
you in a collision. If the light does not come on, stays
on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you
drive, have the airbag system checked right away.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
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²When the front airbag control module detects a colli-
sion requiring the front airbags, it signals the inflator
units. A large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the front airbags. Different front airbag inflation
rates are possible, these rates are determined by the
front airbag control module based on collision severity.
The front airbag covers separate and fold out of the
way as the airbags inflate to their full size. The front
airbags fully inflate in about 50 milliseconds. This is
only about half of the time it takes you to blink your
eyes. The front airbags then quickly deflate while
helping to restrain the driver and front passenger. The
driver's and passenger's front airbag gas is vented
through the airbag material towards the instrument
panel. In this way the front airbags do not interfere
with your control of the vehicle.
²The Knee Impact Bolstershelp protect the knees and
position you for the best interaction with the front
airbags.
Side Airbags Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) Ð If Equipped
The Side Airbag System, if equipped, consists of the
following:
²AIRBAG Readiness Light (shared with the front airbag
system)
²Side Airbag in the driver's seat
²Side Airbag in the passenger's seat
²Front Airbag Control Module (with integrated side
impact sensor - if equipped)
²Interconnecting Wiring
How The Side Airbag System Works
Thefrontairbag control modules determine if a side
collision is severe enough to require the side airbags to
inflate. The front airbag control modules will not detect
roll over, or rear collisions.
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

haven't healed significantly within a few days, or if
you have any blistering, see your doctor immediately.
²As the airbags deflate you may see some smoke-like
particles. The particles are a normal by-product of the
process that generates the nontoxic gas used for airbag
inflation. These airborne particles may irritate the skin,
eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin or eye irritation,
rinse the area with cool water. For nose or throat
irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation continues,
see your doctor. If these particles settle on your
clothing, follow the garment manufacturer's instruc-
tions for cleaning.
²It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the
airbags have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the airbags and seat belt pretensioners will
not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed airbags and seat belt pretensioners cannot
protect you in another collision. Have the airbags
and seat belt pretensioners replaced by an autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible.
Enhanced Accident Response
If the airbags and seat belt pertensioners deploy after an
impact and the electrical system remains functional,
vehicles equipped with power door locks will unlock
automatically. In addition, approximately 10 seconds
after the vehicle has stopped moving, the interior lights
will illuminate until the ignition switch is turned off.
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbags are not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or
the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-
ture, or frame.
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to inflate for your
protection in a collision. While the airbag system is
designed to be maintenance free, if any of the following
occurs, have an authorized dealer service the system
immediately.
²The AIRBAG light does not come on or flickers during
the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
²The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
²The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
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