Dodge Ram 2004, Service Manual

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WARNING: IGNORING THE AIRBAG WARN-
ING LIGHT IN YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
COULD MEAN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG
ON-OFF SWITCH IS NOT FUNCTIONAL AND
THE AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY IF AN IMPACT
OCCURS. IF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT
TURNS ON WHILE DRIVING, THE AIRBAG
ON-OFF SWITCH SETTING WILL REMAIN
FUNCTIONAL FOR THAT KEY CYCLE. IF THE
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN
AT THE NEXT KEY ON AND STAYS LIT FOR
MORE THAN 6-8 SECONDS, THE ACM WILL
DEFAULT TO PASSENGER AIRBAG ON. FAIL-
URE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS
COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG
DEPLOYMENT AND PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH.
3.1.5 SEAT BELT TENSIONER
Front seat belt systems incorporate Tensioner
Modules (SBT). At the onset of an impact event each
tensioner uses a pyrotechnic device, which is trig-
gered simultaneously with the airbags, to rapidly
retract the seat belts. With the slack removed, the
occupant’s forward motion in an impact will be
reduced as will the likelihood of contacting interior
components. After an impact that deploys the air-
bag, the seat belt tensioner assembly must be
replaced.
The ACM module monitors the Seat Belt Tension-
ers circuit resistance and reports active and stored
DTC’s if any problem is found.
3.1.6 SIDE IMPACT SENSORS
The side impact sensors are electronic accelerom-
eters that sense the rate of vehicle deceleration and
when combined with the ACM Accelerometer pro-
vides verification of the direction and severity of a
side impact. Each sensor also contains an electronic
communication chip that allows the unit to commu-
nicate the sensor status as well as sensor fault
information to the microprocessor in the Airbag
Control Module. The ACM microprocessor continu-
ously monitors all of the passive restraint system
electrical circuits to determine the system readi-
ness. If the ACM detects a system fault, it sets a
Diagnostic Trouble Code and controls the airbag
warning indicator operation accordingly. The side
impact sensors receive battery current and ground
through dedicated driver and passenger sensor sig-
nal and ground circuits from the ACM. The impact
sensors and the ACM communicate by modulating
the current in the sensor signal circuit. If the sensor
is dropped it must be replaced. Disconnect the
battery or remove both airbag fuses before servicing
impact sensors.
CAUTION: Do not remove or install the
impact sensors while the sensor is attached
to the vehicle wiring.
3.1.7 CURTAIN AIRBAGS
The Left and Right curtain airbags are located in
the outboard edge of the roof under the headliner,
just above the door openings. When supplied with
the proper electrical signal the inflator can dis-
charge the compress gas directly into the curtain
airbag. Upon deployment, the curtain will tear open
the headliner allowing the curtain airbag to fully
deploy between the headliner and seat. The curtain
airbag cannot be repaired and must be replaced if
deployed or in any way damaged.
WARNING: THE CURTAIN AIRBAG CON-
TAINS AN INERT GAS PRESSURIZED TO
17236.89 Kpa (2500 PSI). DO NOT ATTEMPT
TO DISMANTLE AN AIRBAG MODULE OR
TAMPER WITH ITS INFLATOR. DO NOT PUNC-
TURE,
INCINERATE, OR BRING INTO
CONTACT WITH ELECTRICITY. DO NOT
STORE AT TEMPERATURE EXCEEDING 93°C
(200°F). REPLACE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPO-
NENTS ONLY WITH PARTS SPECIFIED IN
THE CHRYSLER MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.
SUBSTITUTE PARTS MAY APPEAR INTER-
CHANGEABLE, BUT INTERNAL DIFFEREN-
CES MAY RESULT IN INFERIOR OCCUPANT
PROTECTION. THE FASTENERS, SCREWS,
AND BOLTS ORIGINALLY USED FOR THE
AIRBAG
SYSTEM COMPONENTS HAVE
SPECIAL COATINGS AND ARE SPECIFICAL-
LY DESIGNED FOR THE 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. FAILURE TO
TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD
RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOY-
MENT AND PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
3.1.8 SPECIAL TOOLS
Some airbag diagnostic test use special tools,
airbag load tools, 8310 and 8443 for testing squib
circuits. The load tools contain fixed resistive loads,
jumpers and adapters. The fixed loads are con-
nected to cables and mounted in a storage case. The
cables can be directly connected to some airbag
system connectors. Jumpers are used to convert the
load tool cable connectors to the other airbag sys-
tem connectors. The adapters are connected to the
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GENERAL INFORMATION