Dodge 2008 Caravan, Owner'S Manual

Page: 71 / 501

Airbag Deployment Sensors and Controls
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
The ORC is part of a Federally regulated safety system
required for this vehicle.
The ORC determines if a frontal or side collision is severe
enough to require the airbags to inflate. Based on the
impact sensors signals, a central electronic ORC deploys
the front airbags, side inflatable airbag curtains, side seat
thorax airbags, and front seat belt pretensioners as re-
quired for each type of impact.
The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts of
the system whenever the ignition switch is in the START
or ON positions. These include all of the components
listed above except the steering wheel and column,
instrument panel, and seatbelt reminder light. 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.
The ORC contains a backup power supply system that
will deploy the airbags even if the battery loses power or
it becomes disconnected prior to deployment.
Also, the ORC turns on the AIRBAG warning
light in the instrument panel for approximately
4 to 5 seconds for a self-check when the ignition
is first turned on. After the self-check, the
AIRBAG warning light will turn off. If the ORC detects a
malfunction in any part of the system, it turns on the
AIRBAG warning light either momentarily or continu-
ously. A single chime will sound if the light comes on
again after initial start up.
It also includes diagnostics that will illuminate the instru-
ment cluster airbag warning light if a malfunction is
noted. The diagnostics also record the nature of the
malfunction.
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE