Description & Operation: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Ford Windstar. 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 or side air bags in a side collision. The air bags, stored in center of steering wheel, instrument panel above glove box and in driver's and passenger's seat back, deploy in about 40 milliseconds after impact sensors close. Air bag system is designed to be used with 3-point seat belts.

During a front-end collision, the air bag Restraints Control Module (RCM), using input from front impact crash sensor, discriminates between an event that warrants air bag and seat belt pretensioner deployment and an event that does not. Using inputs from passenger seat occupant classification sensor, if equipped, driver seat track position sensor, seat belt switches in conjunction with front impact crash sensor inputs, RCM determines which air bags to deploy and at what deployment rate. In a crash of sufficient force, the RCM signals the air bag modules and seat belt pretensioners to simultaneously deploy.

During a side or lateral collision, the RCM using inputs from right and/or left side crash sensor, discriminates between an event that warrants air bag deployment and an event that does not. In a crash of sufficient force, the RCM signals the right and/or left seat air bag module to deploy.

Air bag system includes the following components: RCM, safing sensor (located inside the RCM), back-up power supply (also located inside the RCM), right and left side crash sensors (attached to floor under outboard side of front seats), dual-stage driver-side air bag module, dual-stage passenger-side air bag module, side air bag modules (located behind outboard bolster of driver and passenger seat backs), driver and passenger seat belt pretensioners and seat belt switches, driver seat track position sensor, passenger seat occupant classification sensor, if equipped, AIR BAG warning light, front impact crash sensor, ignitor assemblies (located in air bag modules), clockspring and associated wiring harnesses. See COMPONENT LOCATIONS .