2006 CHRYSLER PACIFICA belt

•Knee Impact Bolster
•Driver Inflatable Knee Blocker
•Front Passenger Seat Occupant Classification System
(OCS)
Occupant Classification Module
Passenger Airbag Disabled (PAD) Indicator Light
Interconnecting Wiring
Bladder Assembly
Belt Tension Sensor
How The Airbag System Works
•
The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) determines
if a frontal collision is severe enough to require the
airbags to inflate. Based on the level of collision
severity, the front control module determines the proper rate of inflation. The front airbag inflators are
designed to provide different rates of airbag inflation.
•The ORC may modify the rate of inflation based on the
occupant size provided by the Occupant Classification
Module.
•The ORC will not detect side, roll over, or rear impacts.
•The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts
of the system whenever the ignition switch is in the
START or RUN positions. These include all of the
items listed above except the steering wheel and
column, instrument panel and passenger knee bol-
sters. If the key is in the OFF position, in the ACC
position, or not in the ignition, the airbags are not on
and will not inflate.
•Also, the ORC turns on the AIRBAG warn-
ing light and PAD indicator light in the
center of the instrument panel for 6 to 8
seconds for a self-check when the ignition is
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

•TheSide Impact SRS Window Bags are designed to
activate only in certain side collisions. When the ORC
and the side impact sensors (with side impact option)
detects a collision requiring the window bags to
inflate, it signals the inflators on the crash side of the
vehicle. A quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the window bag. The inflating window bag
pushes the outside edge of the headliner out of the
way and covers the window. The airbag inflates in
about 30 milliseconds (about one quarter of the time it
takes to blink your eyes) with enough force to injure
you if you are not belted and seated properly, or if
items are positioned in the area where the window bag
inflates. This especially applies to children. The win-
dow bag is only about 3
12inches (9 cm) thick when it
is inflated.
•When the ORC and the impact sensors detect a
collision requiring the Driver Inflatable Knee
Blocker, it signals the inflator unit. A quantity of
nontoxic gas is generated to inflate the Driver Inflat-
able Knee Blocker. The Driver Inflatable Knee Blocker
inflates rearward towards the driver’s knees to help
protect the knees and position you for the best inter-
action with the front airbag. The Driver Inflatable
Knee Blocker fully inflates in about 50 milliseconds,
this is only about half of the time it takes you to blink
your eyes. It then quickly deflates while helping to
protect the driver’s knees.
•The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees, and
position everyone for the best interaction with the
front airbag.
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

placed on the seat, the light will remain OFF. (The PAD
indicator light is an amber light located on the center of
the instrument panel above the climate controls.)
For almost all sizes of properly seated adults, the airbag
will be enabled in the event of a collision. For small
teenagers and some small adults, depending on size, the airbag may or may not be enabled in the event of a
collision. Both drivers and passengers should always use
the PAD indicator light as an indication if the front
passenger is properly positioned or not. If the PAD
indicator light comes on when an adult is in the passen-
ger seat, have the passenger re-position themselves in the
seat until the light goes out.
Remember, if the PAD indicator light is illuminated the
passenger front airbag will not inflate. For properly
installed child restraint systems and children properly
seated on the front passenger seat, the airbag will be
disabled. If at all possible, place children 12 years and
younger in a back seat.
•The
Occupant Classification Module (OCM) is lo-
cated beneath the front passenger seat. The OCM
classifies the occupant into one of three size categories
based on the input from the Bladder Assembly and
Belt Tension Sensor. The size categories include empty,
Passenger Airbag Disabled Light
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

child, and adult. The OCM sends the Occupant Clas-
sification to the ORC to identify if a front passenger
airbag is allowed. If a fault is present, the AIRBAG
warning light is illuminated.
•The Passenger Airbag Disabled (PAD) Indicator
Light indicates to the driver and passenger when the
airbag is turned OFF in the presence of a properly
seated occupant. When the PAD indicator light is
illuminated, the airbag is OFF. Also, when the Occu-
pant Classification System (OCS) detects either an
empty seat of a weight less than the predetermined
occupant threshold, the ORC will not illuminate the
PAD indicator light even though the airbag is turned
off. When the OCS detects an adult the PAD indicator
light will be off, and the airbag will be enabled.
•The Belt Tension Sensor (BTS) is located at the
outboard passenger lap belt anchor. The BTS generates
a signal based on outboard lap belt tension. This signal is sent to the OCM to ensure that the resultant bladder
pressure increase due to applied lap belt tension does
not cause a small occupant to be classified as a larger
occupant.
•The
Bladder Assembly is located beneath the seat
cushion foam. The pressure sensor sends a signal to
the OCM.
The front passenger seat assembly contains critical com-
ponents that affect the front passenger airbag deploy-
ment. Correctly functioning front passenger seat compo-
nents are critical for the Occupant Classification System
(OCS) to properly classify the front passenger and calcu-
late the proper airbag deployment. Do not make any
modifications to the front passenger seat components,
assembly, or to the seat cover.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55
2

WARNING!
Deployed airbags, front seat belt buckle pretension-
ers and driver inflatable knee blocker cannot protect
you in another collision. Have the airbags, front seat
belt buckle pretensioners and driver inflatable knee
blocker replaced by an authorized dealer as soon as
possible. Also, have the Occupant Classification
System serviced as well.
Enhanced Accident Response
If the airbags and seat belt pretensioners 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.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications 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 structure, or frame.
•Do not attempt to modify any part of your advanced airbag
system. The airbag may inflate accidentally or may not
function properly if modifications are made. Take your
vehicle to an authorized dealer for any advanced airbag
system service. If your seat including your trim cover and
cushion needs to be serviced in any way (including removal
or loosening/tightening of seat attachment bolts), take the
vehicle to your authorized dealer. Only manufacturer ap-
proved seat accessories may be used. If it is necessary to
modify an advanced airbag system for persons with dis-
abilities, contact your authorized dealer.
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)
Each vehicle is equipped with two child restraint anchor-
age systems called LATCH, which stands for Lower
Anchors and Tether for CHildren. The LATCH child
restraint anchorage systems are installed on second-row
seats only. LATCH child restraint anchorage systems are
not provided on the six passenger third row seats.
Six passenger vehicles are equipped with second row
fold & tumble seats with lower anchorages that can
accommodate rigid mount or flexible webbing-mounted
LATCH-compatible child seats. The third row seating
positions are not equipped with lower anchorages. How-
ever, the third row driver side seating position is
equipped with a tether anchor. If you are installing
LATCH-compatible child restraints in any third row
seating position, you must use the vehicle’s seat belt.
Fold & Tumble Seat Latch Anchorages
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61
2

Five passenger vehicles are equipped with a second row
bench seat only. The two outboard seating positions have
lower anchorages that can accommodate rigid mount or
flexible webbing-mounted LATCH-compatible child
seats. The center seating position of the bench seat can
also accommodate a flexible webbing-mounted LATCH-
compatible child seat by using the inboard lower anchors
of the two outboard seating positions. A rigid mount seat
can only be installed at this seating location by using the
vehicle’s seat belt. Regardless of the specific type of lower
attachment, NEVER install LATCH-compatible child
seats such that two child seats share a common lower
anchorage. If you are installing LATCH-compatible child
restraints in adjacent rear seating positions, you can use
the LATCH anchors or the vehicle’s seat belt for the
outboard position, but you must use the vehicle’s seat
belt at the center position. The lower anchor bars of the LATCH System are located
where the seat back meets the seat cushion. The tether
anchors are located on the rear surface of the seat. Child
restraint systems designed to be compatible with the
vehicles LATCH System are now available. LATCH child
restraints make installation into the vehicle simple and
Bench Seat LATCH Anchors
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

convenient. When using the LATCH System, always
follow the child restraint manufacturer’s installation in-
structions.
NOTE: If your child restraint seat is not LATCH com-
patible, install the restraint using the vehicle seat belts.
Tether Anchors
There are tether strap anchorages behind all second row
seating positions and for six passenger vehicles on the
driver’s side third row seating position. The tether an-
chors are located in the rear surface of the seat. When
using the tether anchorages in the second row fold &
tumble seating positions and in the outboard second row
bench seating positions, ensure that the strap is routed
over the top of the seatback and under the head restraint
between the head restraint posts.
Fold & Tumble Seat Tether Strap Routing
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 63
2