’04 Solara_U (L/O 0402)
74
2004 SOLARA from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM33640U)
The SRS side airbag and curtain shield
airbag system consists mainly of the fol-
lowing components, and their  locations are
shown in the illustration.
1. SRS warning light
2. Front passenger occupant classification
indicator light
3. Curtain shield airbag modules
(airbag and inflator)
4. Front passenger occupant classification
system (ECU and sensors)
5. Side and curtain shield airbag sensors
6. Curtain shield airbag sensors
7. Side airbag modules 
(airbag and inflator)8. Front passenger ’s seat belt buckle
switch
9. Airbag sensor assembly
The SRS side airbag and curtain shield
airbag system is  controlled by  the airbag
sensor assembly. The airbag sensor as-
sembly consists of a safing sensor and
airbag sensor.
In a severe side impact, the side and
curtain shield airbag sensor and/or the
curtain shield airbag sensor trigger(s) the
side airbag inflators and/or the curtain
shield airbag inflators. At this time a
chemical reaction in the inflators quickly
fills the airbags with non−toxic gas  to help
restrain the lateral motion of the occu-
pants.
When the airbags  inflate, they  produce a
fairly loud noise and release some smoke
and residue along with non−toxic gas. This
does not indicate a fire. This smoke may
remain inside the vehicle for some time,
and may cause some minor irritation to
the eyes,  skin or breathing. Be sure to
wash off any residue as soon as possible
to prevent any potential skin irritation with
soap and water. If  you can safely exit
from the vehicle, you should do so imme-
diately.Deployment of the airbags happens in a
fraction of a second, so the airbags must
inflate with considerable force. While the
system is designed to reduce serious inju-
ries, it may also cause minor burns or
abrasions and swelling.
Front seats as well as parts of the front
and rear pillars, and roof side rail may be
hot for several minutes, but the airbags
themselves will not be hot. The airbags
are designed to inflate only once.
CAUTION
SRS side airbags and curtain shield
airbags inflate with considerable
force. To reduce the possibility of
death or serious injury when they in-
flate, the driver, front passenger and
rear outside passengers must:
Wear their seat belts properly.
Remain properly seated with their
backs upright and against the seats
at all times. 
’04 Solara_U (L/O 0402)
78
2004 SOLARA from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM33640U)
This indicator comes on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the “ON” position.
It goes off after about 6 seconds. This
means the SRS side airbags and curtain
shield airbags are operating properly.This warning light system monitors the
airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sen-
sors, side and curtain shield airbag sen-
sors, curtain shield airbag sensors, driv-
er ’s seat position sensor, driver ’s seat belt
buckle switch, front passenger occupant
classification system and indicator light,
front passenger ’s  seat belt buckle switch,
seat belt pretensioner assemblies, infla-
tors, warning light, interconnecting wiring
and power sources.  (For details,  see “Ser-
vice reminder indicators and warning buzz-
ers” on page 129 in Section 1−6.)
If any of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction of  the airbags
or seat belt pretensioners. Contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
When the ignition key is turned to the
“ON” position, the light does not come
on or remains on for more than 6 sec-
onds.
The light comes on while driving.
The SRS warning light will come on and
front passenger occupant classification in-
dicator light will indicate “OFF” if there is
a malfunction in the front passenger occu-
pant classification system.