Passenger Airbag On/Off Indicator: Description

Fig 1: Passenger Airbag On/Off Indicator

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

Vehicles equipped with the Occupant Classification System (OCS) include a passenger airbag on/off indicator, which is located in the inboard grab handle end cap located on the instrument panel between the passenger airbag door and the glove box. See Fig 1. The passenger airbag on/off indicator and the grab handle are present only in vehicles equipped with the OCS. Vehicles without the OCS have only a trim bezel on the instrument panel, instead of a grab handle.

The passenger airbag on/off indicator consists of a molded plastic housing with an integral connector receptacle at the back, an integral latch tab on each side, and an oblong dark translucent outer lens.

The opaque words "PASS AIRBAG OFF" and an opaque International Control and Display Symbol icon for "Passenger Airbag Off or Not Available" are imprinted on the back of the lens within the indicator. The dark outer lens prevents the indicator text and icon from being clearly visible when it is not illuminated. An amber Light Emitting Diode (LED) behind the lens causes the "PASS AIRBAG OFF" text and icon to appear silhouetted against an amber field through the translucent lens when the indicator is illuminated from behind by the LED.

The passenger airbag on/off indicator cannot be repaired or adjusted and, if faulty or damaged, the indicator unit must be replaced.