Air Bag, Knee Blocker: Description
A driver side Knee AirBag (KAB) is available equipment in this vehicle. These airbags are passive, inflatable, Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) components. Vehicles with this equipment may be readily identified by the SRS - AIRBAG logo located on the upper outboard corner of the KAB deployment door in the instrument panel steering column opening cover.
The molded thermoplastic KAB deployment door (4) located below the steering column on the driver side lower instrument panel is the most visible part of the KAB. Located behind the deployment door, the stamped and welded metal KAB housing (2) is secured within a molded receptacle on the back of the deployment door by numerous hook formations (1) stamped in the upper and lower flanges of the housing that are engaged through numerous small window openings in the upper and lower flanges of the deployment door receptacle. The deployment door is secured to the instrument panel steering column opening cover by several tabs (3) integral to the outer perimeter of the door receptacle.
Two studs (1) on the back of the KAB housing secure it to the supporting structure of the instrument panel. The KAB housing contains the airbag inflator and a heat shield. The airbag inflator is a single-initiator, non-azide pyrotechnic-type unit that is secured to the housing by two studs with nuts (2) and sealed within the KAB housing. The KAB is connected to the vehicle electrical system through a dedicated take out and connector insulator of the instrument panel wire harness that connects directly to the inflator initiator (3).
The KAB cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed, ineffective or in any way damaged. The KAB deployment door is available for separate service replacement. If the KAB is deployed, the deployment door and the entire instrument panel assembly must also be replaced.