GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Accident With or Without Air Bag Deployment - Component Inspections

CAUTION:  Proper operation of the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) sensing system requires that any repairs to the vehicle structure return the vehicle structure to the original production configuration. Not properly repairing the vehicle structure could cause non-deployment of the air bag(s) in a frontal collision or deployment of the air bag(s) for conditions less severe than intended.

After any collision, inspect the following components as indicated. If you detect any damage, replace the component. If you detect any damage to the mounting points or mounting hardware, repair the component or replace the hardware as needed.

    • Steering column - Perform the steering column accident damage inspection - off vehicle. Refer to Steering Column Accident Damage Inspection - Off Vehicle in Steering Wheel and Column - Tilt.
    • IP Knee Bolsters - Inspect the knee bolsters for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage.
    • IP brackets, braces, etc. - Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage.
    • Seat Belts - Perform the seat belt operational and functional checks. Refer to Operational and Functional Checks in Seat Belts.

Accident With Frontal Air Bag and Seat Belt Pretensioner Deployment - Component Replacement and Inspections

After a collision involving a seat belt pretensioner deployment and frontal air bag deployment, replace the following components. If you detect any damage to the mounting points or mounting hardware, repair or replace the mounting points and mounting hardware as needed.

    • Inflatable restraint I/P module
    • Inflatable restraint steering wheel module
    • Inflatable restraint steering wheel module coil
    • Driver seat belt pretensioner
    • Passenger seat belt pretensioner
    • Inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic and seat belt pretensioner module (SDM)

After a collision involving frontal air bag deployment, inspect the Inflatable restraint steering wheel module coil and the coil wiring pigtail for melting, scorching, or other damage due to excessive heat. Perform this component inspection in addition to the inspections indicated above in Accident With or Without Air Bag Deployment. If you detect any damage, replace the component. If you detect any damage to the mounting points or mounting hardware, repair the component or replace the hardware as needed.

Accident With Seat Belt Pretensioner Deployment - Component Replacement and Inspections

After a collision involving a seat belt pretensioner deployment, replace the following components. If you detect any damage to the mounting points or mounting hardware, repair or replace the mounting points and mounting hardware as needed.

    • Driver seat belt pretensioner
    • Passenger seat belt pretensioner

If Current DTC 56 is set, the SDM must also be replaced. This is because the vehicle has been involved in 3 pretensioner-only deployment collisions, the maximum number of pretensioner-only deployments allowed with one SDM. Select Reset Pretensioner Devices from the SIR Data List using the scan tool to verify that the seat belt pretensioners have deployed 3 times.

Accident With Driver Side Air Bag Deployment - Component Replacement and Inspections

After a collision involving a driver side air bag deployment, replace the following components. If you detect any damage to the mounting points or mounting hardware, repair or replace the mounting points and mounting hardware as needed.

    • Inflatable restraint driver seat module
    • Inflatable restraint side impact sensor (LH)
    • Inflatable restraint side impact sensor (LH) mounting bracket

After a collision involving driver side air bag deployment, inspect the LH front door harness, LH door seal and driver seat for cutting/chafing or other damage due to a side impact. Perform this component inspection in addition to the inspections indicated above in Accident With or Without Air Bag Deployment. If you detect any damage, replace the component. If you detect any damage to the mounting points or mounting hardware, repair the component or replace the hardware as needed.

If Current DTC 56 is set, the SDM must also be replaced. This is because the vehicle has been involved in 3 driver side air bag deployment collisions, the maximum number of driver side air bag deployments allowed with one SDM. Select and read Reset Driver Side Air Bag from the SIR Data List using the scan tool to verify that the driver side air bag has deployed 3 times.

Accident With Passenger Side Air Bag Deployment - Component Replacement and Inspections

After a collision involving a passenger side air bag deployment, replace the following components. If you detect any damage to the mounting points or mounting hardware, repair or replace the mounting points and mounting hardware as needed.

    • Inflatable restraint passenger seat module
    • Inflatable restraint side impact sensor (RH)
    • Inflatable restraint side impact sensor (RH) mounting bracket

After a collision involving passenger side air bag deployment, inspect the RH front door harness, RH door seal and driver seat for cutting/chafing or other damage due to a side impact. Perform this component inspection in addition to the inspections indicated above in Accident With or Without Air Bag Deployment. If you detect any damage, replace the component. If you detect any damage to the mounting points or mounting hardware, repair the component or replace the hardware as needed.

If Current DTC 56 is set, the SDM must also be replaced. This is because the vehicle has been involved in 3 passenger side air bag deployment collisions, the maximum number of passenger side air bag deployments allowed with one SDM. Select and read Reset Passenger Side Air Bag from the SIR Data List using the scan tool to verify that the passenger side air bag has deployed 3 times.

Side Impact Sensor Replacement Guidelines

The SIR sensor replacement policy requires replacing the inflatable restraint side impact sensors in the area of accident damage. The area of accident damage is defined as the portion of the vehicle which is crushed, bent, or damaged due to a collision. For example, a moderate collision where the front of the vehicle impacts a tree. If the vehicle has a SIR sensor mounted forward of the radiator, it must be replaced.

    • Replace the sensor whether or not the relevant side air bag has deployed.
    • Replace the sensor even if it appears to be undamaged.

Sensor damage which is not visible, such as slight bending of the mounting bracket or cuts in the wire insulation, can cause improper operation of the SIR sensing system. Do not try to determine whether the sensor is undamaged, replace the sensor. Also, if you follow a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) table and a malfunctioning sensor is indicated, replace the sensor.