Description & Operation: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Ford ZX2 and 2002 Ford Escort. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Accidental air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. Read and follow all WARNINGS and AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS before working on air bag system or related components.

The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), also known as air bag system, is designed to provide increased accident protection for driver and passenger by deploying air bags in a front-end collision. The air bags, stored in center of steering wheel and in instrument panel above glove box, deploy in about 40 milliseconds after impact sensors close. SRS is designed to be used in addition to the 3-point seat belts.

During a front-end collision, the air bag Electronic Crash Sensor (ECS) discriminates between an event that warrants air bag deployment and an event that does not. In a crash of sufficient force, the ECS signals the air bag modules to simultaneously inflate.

SRS includes following components: Electronic Crash Sensor (ECS) module, safing sensor (located inside the ECS), back-up power supply (also located inside the ECS), driver-side air bag module, passenger-side air bag module, AIR BAG warning light, ignitor assemblies (located in air bag modules), clockspring and associated wiring harnesses. See COMPONENT LOCATIONS .