Pretensioner Handling and Scrapping
Scrapping Procedure
During the course of a vehicles useful life, certain situations may arise which will necessitate the disposal of a live (undeployed)
pretensioner. The following information covers the proper procedures for the disposing of a live (undeployed) pretensioner. Deploy
the pretensioner before disposal. Do not dispose of a live (undeployed) pretensioner through normal disposal channels until the
pretensioner has been deployed. The following information covers the proper procedures for the disposing of a live (undeployed)
pretensioner.
• After replacement of a pretensioner under warranty. The pretensioner may need to be returned undeployed to the original
manufacturer of pretensioner.
• If the vehicle is the subject of a Product Liability report related to the SIR system and is subject to a Preliminary
Investigation (GM-1241). Do not alter the SIR system in any manner.
• If the vehicle is involved in a campaign affecting the pretensioners. Follow the instructions in the Campaign Service
Bulletin for proper SIR handling procedures.
Deployment Procedures
Note: Some countries, states or localities may not allow service deployment of air bags without special permission or training. Local
laws regarding deploying and scrapping of air bags/devices with pyrotechnics must be followed.
The pretensioner can be deployed inside or outside of the vehicle. The method used depends upon the final disposition of the
vehicle. Review the following procedures in order to determine which will work best in a given situation.
Deployment Inside the Vehicle
Refer to
Inflatable Restraint Module Handling and Scrapping
for deploying the pretensioner inside vehicle under Vehicle Scrapping
Procedure.
Deployment Outside Vehicle for Seat Belt Pretensioners
Deploy the seat belt pretensioners outside of the vehicle when the vehicle will be returned to service. Situations that require
deployment outside of the vehicle include the following:
• Using the SIR diagnostics, you determine that the seat belt pretensioner is malfunctioning.
• The pretensioner pigtail (if equipped) is damaged.
• The pretensioner connector is damaged.
• The pretensioner connector terminal is damaged.
Deployment and disposal of a malfunctioning seat belt pretensioner is subject to any required retention period.
Warning: In order to prevent accidental deployment of the pretensioner which could cause personal injury, do not dispose of
an undeployed pretensioner as normal shop waste. The undeployed pretensioner contains substances that could cause severe
illness or personal injury if the sealed container is damaged during disposal. Use the following deployment procedures to safely
dispose of an undeployed pretensioner. Failure to dispose of a pretensioner as instructed may be a violation of federal, state,
or local laws.
Warning: When you are deploying a pretensioner for disposal, perform the deployment procedures in the order listed. Failure
to follow the procedures in the order listed may result in personal injury.
Special Tools
• EL-39401-B SIR Deployment Fixture
• EL-38826 SIR Deployment Harness
1. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
Restraints
RESTRAINTS
0-8
BACK TO CHAPTER INDEX
TO MODEL INDEX
CHEVROLET SONIC 2012 BODY REPAIR MANUAL
