GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Handling Procedure

    Caution: Refer to Safety Glasses Caution in the Preface section.

  1. Do not apply power to an inflatable restraint except as specified.
  2. Do not attempt to make any repairs to the inflatable restraint assembly or front/side-impact sensors. A damaged or defective component must be replaced.
  3. Do not weld, solder, braze, hammer, machine drill, or heat any supplemental restraint system (SIR) component.
  4. When handling a deployed inflatable restraint assembly or pretensioner:
  5. • Always wear gloves and safety glasses.
    • The surface of these components may contain chemicals as a result of the gas generated during combustion which can irritate your skin. Wash hands with mild soap and water afterwards.
  6. When handling a steering column:
  7. • During any service operation that requires removal and reinstallation of a steering column fitted with an inflatable restraint assembly, always carry the steering column with two hands and with the steering wheel away from your body.
    • Do not set a steering column on the floor with the steering wheel facing towards the floor.
  8. When carrying out steering gear removal and installation procedures, remove the ignition key from the lock and ensure the steering column is locked. If this operation is not carried out and the steering wheel is spun while the steering gear is removed, the clock spring coil will be destroyed. This will result in the sensing diagnostic module (SDM) setting a DTC, and non-deployment of the steering wheel inflatable restraint assembly.

Deployment Inside Vehicle (Vehicle Scrapping Procedure)

   • 

Important: Deploy the inflator modules inside of the vehicle when destroying the vehicle or when salvaging the vehicle for parts. This includes but is not limited to the following situations:

  • The vehicle has completed its useful life.
  •    • 
  • Irreparable damage occurs to the vehicle in a non-deployment type accident.
  •    • 
  • Irreparable damage occurs to the vehicle during a theft.
  •    • 
  • The vehicle is being salvaged for parts to be used on a vehicle with a different VIN as opposed to rebuilding as the same VIN.
    1. Caution: Refer to Safety Glasses Caution in the Preface section.

    2. Ignition OFF.
    3. Remove the ignition key.
    4. Remove all loose objects from the vehicle.
    5. Disable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling .
    6. Remove the steering column covers. Refer to Steering Column Trim Covers Replacement .

    7. Object Number: 1959107  Size: SH
    8. Disconnect the steering wheel module yellow connector (2) from vehicle harness yellow connector (1).
    9. If vehicle is equipped with dual stage air bag the steering wheel module and I/P module will each have 4 wires. Refer to Component Connector End Views , for determining high and low circuits.
    10. Cut the yellow vehicle harness connector (1) out of the vehicle, leaving at least 16 cm (6 in) of wire at the connector.
    11. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each of the connector wire leads.

    12. Object Number: 1959057  Size: SH
    13. Cut two 6.1 m (20 ft) deployment wires from a 0.8 mm (18 gauge) or thicker multi-strand wire. Use these wires to fabricate the driver deployment harness.
    14. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends of the wires cut in the previous step.
    15. Twist together one end from each of the wires in order to short the wires. Deployment wires shall remain shorted and not connected to a power source until you are ready to deploy the inflator module.

    16. Object Number: 1959058  Size: SH
    17. Twist together 2 connector wire leads (the high circuits from both stages of the steering wheel module) to one sets of deployment wires. Refer to Component Connector End Views , in order to determine the correct circuits.
    18. Inspect that the 3-wire connection is secure.

    19. Object Number: 1959060  Size: SH
    20. Bend flat the twisted connection.

    21. Object Number: 1959061  Size: SH
    22. Secure and insulate the 3-wire connection to deployment harness using electrical tape.

    23. Object Number: 1959062  Size: SH
    24. Twist together 2 connector wire leads (the low circuits from both stages of the steering wheel module) to one sets of deployment wires. Refer to Component Connector End Views , in order to determine the correct circuits.
    25. Inspect that the 3-wire connection is secure.

    26. Object Number: 1959064  Size: SH
    27. Bend flat the twisted connection.

    28. Object Number: 1959065  Size: SH
    29. Secure and insulate the 3-wire connection to deployment harness using electrical tape.
    30. Connect the deployment harness to the steering wheel module in-line connector.

    31. Object Number: 2017941  Size: SH
    32. Route the deployment harness out of the driver side of the vehicle.

    33. Object Number: 2017943  Size: SH

      Important: Move the seat forward and grasp the rear edge of the rear outboard cover (1), lift upwards to disengage the retaining clips (2 and 3).

    34. Remove the rear outboard cover (1) from the seat rail.

    35. Object Number: 2017944  Size: SH

      Important: Grasp the rear edge of the front outboard cover (1) and prise upwards to disengage the rear retainer (4).

    36. Disengage the rear retainer (4) on the front outboard cover (3).
    37. Slide the front outboard cover (3) forward to remove, making sure to disengage the front retainer (2).

    38. Object Number: 2017942  Size: SH
    39. Detach the connector housing assembly (1) from the floor panel.
    40. Detach the driver side air bag/pretensioner yellow connector (3 and 4) from the connector housing assembly (2).
    41. Disconnect the driver side air bag/pretensioner yellow connector (3) from the vehicle harness yellow connector (4).
    42. Cut the yellow harness connector wires (2 for side air bag and 2 for pretensioner) leading to the yellow harness connector (4) from the vehicle, leaving at least 16 cm (6 in) of wire at the connector.

    43. Object Number: 1995406  Size: SH
    44. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from all 4 SIR wires connector leads (2 for side air bag and 2 for pretensioner).

    45. Object Number: 1959057  Size: SH
    46. Cut two 6.1 m (20 ft) deployment wires from a 0.8 mm (18 gauge) or thicker multi-strand wire. Use these wires to fabricate the deployment harness.
    47. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends of the wires cut in the previous step.
    48. Twist together one end from each of the wires in order to short the wires. Deployment wires shall remain shorted, and not connected to a power source until you are ready to deploy the side air bag module and pretensioner.

    49. Object Number: 1959058  Size: SH
    50. Twist together 2 connector wire leads (the high circuits from side air bag and pretensioner ) to one sets of deployment wires. Refer to Component Connector End Views , in order to determine the correct circuits.
    51. Inspect that the 3-wire connection is secure.

    52. Object Number: 1959060  Size: SH
    53. Bend flat the twisted connection.

    54. Object Number: 1959061  Size: SH
    55. Secure and insulate the 3-wire connection to deployment harness using electrical tape.

    56. Object Number: 1959062  Size: SH
    57. Twist together 2 connector wire leads (the low circuits from side air bag and pretensioner ) to one sets of deployment wires. Refer to Component Connector End Views , in order to determine the correct circuits.
    58. Inspect that the 3-wire connection is secure.

    59. Object Number: 1959064  Size: SH
    60. Bend flat the twisted connection.

    61. Object Number: 1959065  Size: SH
    62. Secure and insulate the 3-wire connection to deployment harness using electrical tape.
    63. Connect the deployment harness to the driver side air bag/pretensioner yellow connector.

    64. Object Number: 2017940  Size: SH
    65. Route the deployment harness out of the driver side of the vehicle.
    66. Remove the close out panel. Refer to Instrument Panel Insulator Panel Replacement - Left Side .
    67. Remove the I/P compartment. Refer to Instrument Panel Storage Compartment Replacement .

    68. Object Number: 1957153  Size: SH
    69. Release the electrical connector retaining clip (1) and disconnect the electrical connector (2) from the air bag (3).

    70. Object Number: 1957156  Size: SH
    71. Release the electrical connector retaining clip (1) and disconnect the electrical connector (2) from the air bag (3).

    72. Object Number: 1995406  Size: SH
    73. If vehicle is equipped with dual stage air bags the I/P module will each have 4 wires. Refer to Component Connector End Views , for determining high and low circuits.
    74. Cut the yellow harness connector out of the vehicle, leaving at least 16 cm (6 in) of wire at the connector.
    75. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from each of the connector wire leads.

    76. Object Number: 1959057  Size: SH
    77. Cut two 6.1 m (20 ft) deployment wires from a 0.8 mm (18 gauge) or thicker multi-strand wire. These wires will be used to fabricate the passenger deployment harness.
    78. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends of the wires cut in the previous step.
    79. Twist together one end from each of the wires in order to short the wires.

    80. Object Number: 1959058  Size: SH
    81. Twist together 2 connector wire leads (the high circuits from both stages of the steering wheel module) to one sets of deployment wires. Refer to Component Connector End Views , in order to determine the correct circuits.
    82. Inspect that the 3-wire connection is secure.

    83. Object Number: 1959060  Size: SH
    84. Bend flat the twisted connection.

    85. Object Number: 1959061  Size: SH
    86. Secure and insulate the 3-wire connection to deployment harness using electrical tape.

    87. Object Number: 1959062  Size: SH
    88. Twist together 2 connector wire leads (the low circuits from both stages of the I/P module) to one sets of deployment wires. Refer to Component Connector End Views , in order to determine the correct circuits.
    89. Inspect that the 3-wire connection is secure.

    90. Object Number: 1959064  Size: SH
    91. Bend flat the twisted connection.

    92. Object Number: 1959065  Size: SH
    93. Secure and insulate the 3-wire connection to deployment harness using electrical tape.
    94. Connect the deployment harness to the I/P module in-line connector.

    95. Object Number: 2019737  Size: SH
    96. Route the deployment harness out of the passenger side of the vehicle.

    97. Object Number: 2017935  Size: SH

      Important: Move the seat forward and grasp the rear edge of the rear outboard cover (2), life upwards to disengage the retaining clips (1 and 3).

    98. Remove the rear outboard cover (1) from the seat rail..

    99. Object Number: 2017931  Size: SH

      Important: Grasp the rear edge of the front outboard cover (2) and prise upwards to disengage the rear retainer (3).

    100. Disengage the rear retainer (4) on the front outboard cover (3).
    101. Slide the front outboard cover (4) forward to remove, making sure to disengage the front retainer (1).

    102. Object Number: 2017918  Size: SH
    103. Detach the connector housing assembly (3) from the floor panel.
    104. Detach the passenger side air bag/pretensioner yellow connector (1 and 4) from the connector housing assembly (2).
    105. Disconnect the passenger side air bag/pretensioner yellow connector (1) from the vehicle harness yellow connector (4).
    106. Cut the yellow harness connector wires (2 for side air bag and 2 for pretensioner) leading to the yellow harness connector (4) from the vehicle, leaving at least 16 cm (6 in) of wire at the connector.

    107. Object Number: 1995406  Size: SH
    108. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from all 4 SIR wires connector leads (2 for side air bag and 2 for pretensioner).

    109. Object Number: 1959057  Size: SH
    110. Cut two 6.1 m (20 ft) deployment wires from a 0.8 mm (18 gage) or thicker multi-strand wire. Use these wires to fabricate the deployment harness.
    111. Strip 13 mm (0.5 in) of insulation from both ends of the wires cut in the previous step.
    112. Twist together one end from each of the wires in order to short the wires. Deployment wires shall remain shorted, and not connected to a power source until you are ready to deploy the side air bag module and pretensioner.

    113. Object Number: 1959058  Size: SH
    114. Twist together 2 connector wire leads (the high circuits from side air bag and pretensioner) to one sets of deployment wires. Refer to Component Connector End Views , in order to determine the correct circuits.
    115. Inspect that the 3-wire connection is secure.

    116. Object Number: 1959060  Size: SH
    117. Bend flat the twisted connection.

    118. Object Number: 1959061  Size: SH
    119. Secure and insulate the 3-wire connection to deployment harness using electrical tape.

    120. Object Number: 1959062  Size: SH
    121. Twist together 2 connector wire leads (the low circuits from side air bag and pretensioner) to one sets of deployment wires. Refer to Component Connector End Views , in order to determine the correct circuits.
    122. Inspect that the 3-wire connection is secure.

    123. Object Number: 1959064  Size: SH
    124. Bend flat the twisted connection.

    125. Object Number: 1959065  Size: SH
    126. Secure and insulate the 3-wire connection to deployment harness using electrical tape.
    127. Connect the deployment harness to the passenger side air bag/pretensioner yellow connector.

    128. Object Number: 2017916  Size: SH
    129. Route the deployment harness out of the passenger side of the vehicle.

    130. Object Number: 2017914  Size: SH
    131. Completely cover the windshield and front door window openings with a drop cloth.
    132. Stretch out all of the deployment harness wires on the right side of the vehicle to their full length.
    133. Deploy each deployment loop one at a time.
    134. Place a power source, 12 V minimum/2 A minimum (i.e., a vehicle battery) near the shorted end of the harnesses.
    135. Separate the one set of wires and touch the wires ends to the power source in order to deploy the inflator modules, doing one module at a time.
    136. Disconnect the deployment harness from the power source and twist the wire ends together.
    137. Continue the same process with the remaining deployment harnesses that are available.

    138. Object Number: 2017912  Size: SH
    139. Stretch out all of the deployment harness wires on the left side of the vehicle to their full length.
    140. Deploy each deployment loop one at a time.
    141. Place a power source, 12 V minimum/2 A minimum (i.e., a vehicle battery) near the shorted end of the harnesses.
    142. Separate the one set of wires and touch the wires ends to the power source in order to deploy the inflator modules, doing one module at a time.
    143. Disconnect the deployment harness from the power source and twist the wire ends together.
    144. Continue the same process with the remaining deployment harnesses that are available.
    145. Remove the drop cloth from the vehicle.
    146. Disconnect all harnesses from the vehicle.
    147. Discard the harnesses.
    148. Scrap the vehicle in the same manner as a non-SIR equipped vehicle.
    149. If one or all of the inflator modules did not deploy, perform the following steps to remove the undeployed module(s) from the vehicle:
    150. •  Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Replacement
      •  Inflatable Restraint Instrument Panel Module Replacement
      •  Driver or Passenger Seat Side Inflatable Restraint Module Replacement

    Deployment Procedure - (Out Of Vehicle)

    Refer to TAS (Technical Assistant Service) for further instructions.