Chrysler PT Cruiser, Service & Repair Manual, Page: 486 / 2078

SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SYSTEM
WARNING: THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SYSTEM
CONTAINS
SENSITIVE, COMPLEX ELECTRONIC
UNITS. BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE OR
SERVICE ANY SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SYSTEM COM-
PONENTS, YOU MUST FIRST DISCONNECT AND
ISOLATE
THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND)
CABLE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE
THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO
DO THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL SIDE
IMPACT AIRBAG MODULE DEPLOYMENT AND POS-
SIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
ALLOW SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE FOR
TWO MINUTES BEFORE REMOVING AIRBAG COM-
PONENTS.
DO NOT PLACE A NON-DEPLOYED SIDE AIRBAG
FACE DOWN ON A HARD SURFACE, THE AIRBAG
WILL PROPEL INTO THE AIR IF ACCIDENTALLY
DEPLOYED, AND COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS OR
FATAL INJURY.
BEFORE SERVICING A SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG CON-
TROL MODULE (SIACM), ALWAYS DISCONNECT
THE APPROPRIATE (LEFT OR RIGHT) SIDE IMPACT
AIRBAG
CONNECTOR UNDER THE SEAT TO
ENGAGE THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SYSTEM
SHORTING BAR TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL
DEPLOYMENT.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISMANTLE A SIDE IMPACT
AIRBAG MODULE OR TAMPER WITH ITS INFLA-
TOR. DO NOT PUNCTURE, INCINERATE, OR BRING
INTO
CONTACT WITH ELECTRICITY. DO NOT
STORE AT TEMPERATURES EXCEEDING 93° C
(200° F).
REPLACE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPO-
NENTS ONLY WITH PARTS SPECIFIED IN THE
MOPAR PARTS CATALOG. SUBSTITUTE PARTS
MAY APPEAR INTERCHANGEABLE, BUT INTERNAL
DIFFERENCES MAY RESULT IN INFERIOR OCCU-
PANT PROTECTION.
THE FASTENERS, SCREWS, AND BOLTS ORIGI-
NALLY USED FOR THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SYS-
TEM
COMPONENTS HAVE SPECIAL COATINGS
AND ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE SIDE
IMPACT AIRBAG SYSTEM. THEY MUST NEVER BE
REPLACED WITH ANY SUBSTITUTES. ANY TIME A
NEW FASTENER IS NEEDED, REPLACE IT WITH
THE CORRECT FASTENERS PROVIDED IN THE
SERVICE PACKAGE OR SPECIFIED IN THE MOPAR
PARTS CATALOG.
NOTE: Please refer to the Hazardous Substance
Control System for Proper Disposal. Dispose of
deployed air bags in a manner consistent with
state, provincial, local, and federal regulations.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - AIRBAG SYSTEM
(1) With the battery negative remote cable discon-
nected, connect the DRB III
t
scan tool to the Data
Link connector.
(2) Turn the ignition key to the ON position. Exit
vehicle with the scan tool.
(3) After checking that no one is inside the vehicle,
connect the battery negative remote terminal.
(4) Read and record the ACTIVE Diagnostic Trou-
ble Code (DTC) data.
(5) Read and record any STORED DTC’s.
(6) Refer to the proper Body Diagnostic Procedures
manual if any DTC’s are found in Step 4 and Step 5.
(7) If the airbag warning lamp either fails to light,
or goes ON and stays ON, there is a system malfunc-
tion. To test the airbag warning lamp (bulb) opera-
tion in the cluster, refer to Electrical, Instrument
Cluster, Diagnosis and Testing - Instrument Cluster.
Refer to the proper Body Diagnostic Procedures man-
ual for any other system problems.
STANDARD PROCEDURE
STANDARD PROCEDURE - HANDLING
AIRBAGS
DEPLOYED AIRBAG
The vehicle interior may contain a very small
amount of sodium hydroxide powder, a by-product of
airbag deployment. Sodium hydroxide powder can
irritate the skin, eyes, nose and throat. Wear safety
glasses, rubber gloves, and long sleeved clothing
when cleaning any of the powder residue from the
vehicle.
If you find that the cleanup is irritating your skin,
run cool water over the affected area. Also, if you
experience nasal or throat irritation, exit the vehicle
for fresh air until the irritation ceases. If irritation
continues, see a physician.
UNDEPLOYED AIRBAG
The airbags must be stored in its original special
container until used for service. At no time should a
source of electricity be permitted near the inflator on
the back of an airbag module. When carrying or han-
dling an undeployed airbag module, the trim side of
the airbag should be pointing away from the body to
minimize possibility of injury if accidental deploy-
ment occurs. Do not place undeployed airbag face
down on a solid surface, the airbag will propel into
the air if accidental deployment occurs.
8O - 4 RESTRAINTS
PT
RESTRAINTS (Continued)