GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Caution: In order to avoid deploying the air bag when troubleshooting the SIR system, use only the equipment specified in this manual and the instructions given in this manual. Failure to use the specified equipment as instructed could cause air bag deployment, personal injury to you or someone else, or unnecessary SIR system repairs.

Caution: If any water enters the vehicle's interior up to the level of the carpet or higher and soaks the carpet, the sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) and the SDM harness connector may need to be replaced. The SDM could be activated when powered, which could cause deployment of the air bag(s) and result in personal injury. Before attempting these procedures, the SIR system must be disabled. Refer to Disabling the SIR System.

With the ignition OFF, inspect the SDM mounting area, including the carpet. If any significant soaking or evidence of significant soaking is detected, you must perform the following tasks:

  1. Remove all water.
  2. Repair the water damage.
  3. Replace the SDM harness connector.
  4. Replace the SDM.
Failure to follow these tasks could result in possible air bag deployment, personal injury, or otherwise unneeded SIR system repairs.

These diagnostic procedures will help you to find and repair SIR system malfunctions. This service category also contains information for repairing SIR system malfunctions. For best results, use the diagnostic tables, and follow the sequence listed below:

  1. Refer to the diagnostic table as directed by the SIR diagnostic system check. The diagnostic tables will help enable you to diagnose any SIR system malfunction. Bypassing these procedures may result in the following:
  2. • Extended Diagnostic Time
    • Incorrect Diagnosis
    • Incorrect Parts Replacement
  3. Repeat the SIR diagnostic system check after you perform any repair or diagnostic procedures. This will verify that you correctly performed the repair. This will also ensure that no other malfunctions exist.

Circuit Description

The ignition switch supplies Ignition 1 voltage to the inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) at terminal A1. When the ignition switch is turned ON, the SDM responds by performing tests on the SIR system while flashing the AIR BAG warning indicator seven times and then the SDM commands the instrument panel cluster (IPC) to turn the AIR BAG warning indicator OFF through the Class 2 serial data circuit. If the SDM detects a malfunction, the SDM commands the IPC to turn the AIR BAG warning indicator ON.

Diagnostic Aids

When an intermittent concern is indicated by a customer symptom that can not be duplicated or by a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) that is retrieved as a history DTC without a corresponding current DTC, an intermittent condition may exist. Intermittent problems are usually caused by circuit and connector concerns. Refer to Testing for Electrical Intermittents and Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step checks to see if the AIR BAG warning lamp/indicator flashes seven times when the ignition is first turned ON.

  2. This step checks to see if the scan tool powers up.

  3. This step checks to see if the scan tool can communicate with the inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM).

  4. This step checks to see if there are any current or history diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) present.

  5. This step checks to see if there are any communication DTCs (U-codes) present.

  6. This step checks to see if DTC B1000 (ECU Malfunction) is present.

SIR Diagnostic System Check

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

  1. Note the AIR BAG warning lamp/indicator when the ignition is turned ON, with the engine OFF.
  2. The AIR BAG warning lamp/indicator should turn OFF after flashing seven times.

Does the AIR BAG Warning lamp/indicator flash seven times?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Symptoms

2

Install a scan tool.

Does the scan tool power up?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Scan Tool Does Not Power Up in Data Link Communications

3

Attempt to establish communication with the inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM).

Does the scan tool communicate with the SDM?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Scan Tool Does Not Communicate with Class 2 Device in Data Link Communications

4

  1. Use the scan tool to request the SIR diagnostic trouble code (DTC) display.
  2. Record the displayed DTCs on the repair order, specifing as current or history.

Does the scan tool display any current and/or history DTCs?

--

Go to Step 5

System OK

5

Does the scan tool display any DTCs which begin with a "U"?

--

Go to Scan Tool Does Not Communicate with Class 2 Device in Data Link Communications

Go to Step 6

6

Does the scan tool display DTC B1000?

--

Go to DTC B1000 ECU Malfunction in Body Control System

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List/Type