Lotus Evora, Service Notes

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Lotus Service Notes Section WF
WF.11 - PASSENGER AIRBAG MODULE
WARNING: Safety precautions must be observed when handling a deployed airbag. After deployment,
the airbag surface may contain a white packing powder used to ease deployment. Always wear gloves
and safety glasses when handling a deployed inflator module, and wash your hands with a mild soap
and water afterwards.
The passenger's airbag (or inflator module) is mounted on the underside of the main fascia panel and
also braced to the rear face of the chassis scuttle beam. An airbag 'door' in the top surface of the fascia, is
designed to break open under the force of airbag deployment, and, hinging at its front end, direct the inflating
bag into the area of optimum effectiveness.
The passenger's airbag (or inflator module) comprises:
- an inflatable fabric bag;
- an inflator (canister of gas generating material)
- an initiator (or 'squib')
When the vehicle suffers a forward deceleration which closes the safing sensor, and the signal from the
SDM accelerometer or either of the two forward sensors indicates that the severity is sufficient to require airbag
deployment, current flows through the stage 1 or stage 2 deployment loop of both the driver and passenger
airbag module initiators and ignites the gas generating material. Each bag inflates in a fraction of a second, the
passenger's bag bursting open the fascia airbag door, and then deflates via vents in the bag, with the whole cycle
taking less than one second. The airbag is designed for a single deployment, and must then be renewed.
To replace passenger airbag
WARNING: The following procedures must be followed in the order listed to temporarily disable the
airbag system whilst working in the immediate vicinity of an airbag. Failure to follow this procedure
could cause unintended airbag deployment, resulting in personal injury and unnecessary airbag sys-
tem repairs.
i). Turn off the ignition.
ii). Before disconnecting the battery, use the Lotus TechCentre to read any stored trouble codes.
iii). Disconnect the negative (earth) lead from the battery and tape back to ensure that no contact with the
battery negative terminal can be made.
iv). Wait for at least 30 seconds to allow the SDM capacitors to discharge.
v). Open the glovebox, release the tether and damper cords, and lower the glovebox fully.
vi). Remove the glovebox back panel; remove the two screws into the underside of the fascia panel, and prise
out the four 'fir tree' fasteners. Disconnect the glovebox lamp.
vii). Access is now available to unplug the airbag harness yellow connector.
1. Replacement of the passenger airbag requires that the main fascia panel be removed - refer to sub-section
VE.8.
2. Release the four fixings securing the airbag module to the underside of the fascia.
WARNING: When carrying a live airbag module, make sure the top surface of the module is pointed
away from you. In case of an accidental deployment, the bag will then deploy with minimal chance of
injury. When placing a live airbag module on a bench or other surface, always arrange for the deploy-
ment face to be uppermost. This is necessary so that a free space is provided to allow the airbag to
expand in the unlikely event of accidental deployment.
3. If an airbag deployment has occurred, the chassis scuttle beam and main fascia panel must be carefully
examined for damage or distortion and replaced if necessary. The airbag door will always need replac-
ing.