SRS Inspection and Component Replacement

Inspection and replacement of safety restraint system (SRS) components after a collision.

This document provides instructions on what safety restraint system (SRS) components to inspect and replace following a collision.
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Warning
After any collision, inspect the impact sensor(s) near the collision area for damage. If a sensor is damaged, replace the sensor and the hardware that secures the sensor to the body.

Parts That Must Always be Inspected Following Airbag or Seat Belt Pretensioner Deployment, and Replaced if Damaged

After any collision:

  • Inspect the harnesses and harness connectors that connect to all deployed airbags, pretensioners, and to all damaged components. Replace any damaged harnesses.
  • Inspect all seats and seat belts for visible deformation or signs of wear on the webbing. Replace any damaged components.
  • Inspect all seats, seat belts, and retractors with pretensioners for visible signs of deformation or signs of wear. Replace any damaged components.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    When inspecting the seat belt system, pay special attention to the area around the D-ring, where the seat belt webbing passes through the seat shoulder.
  • Inspect all seat belt anchor points for damage. Check for tears, bends, dents, fastener damage, or mount point damage. Assess fixing this damage before replacing any sort of seat belt component.
  • Inspect any impact sensor(s) near the collision area for damage. If the sensor is damaged, replace the sensor, and the hardware that secures it to the vehicle. Refer to the Service Manual for more information about impact sensor replacement.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    Warning
    Always replace any plugs or tape removed from the front door shells when replacing a front door pressure sensor. Additional holes in the door create more escape paths for air, which decreases the sensor's ability to detect a side impact, and can negatively affect airbag deployment.
  • Inspect any undeployed knee airbag asembly:
    • If the knee airbag cover is damaged, or if there are 3 or more consecutive broken bridges (as shown below) or 5 or more broken bridges total, replace the complete knee airbag assembly.


    • If there are signs of damage to the knee airbag cushion, such as scuffs, rips or holes, replace the knee airbag assembly.
    • If there are signs of damage to the airbag housing, such as bent hooks or scuffing, replace the knee airbag assembly.
  • Inspect the sterering column:
    • Remove components as necessary to access the steering column.
    • For vehicles built before April 10th, 2016: Inspect the top of the steering column. The tabs highlighted below move toward the front of the vehicle as the steering column collapses. If the tabs are recessed more than 2 mm inside the carrier, replace the steering column.


      1. Front of vehicle
      2. Tab is flush with the carrier
    • For vehicles built after April 10, 2016:
      • Adjust the steering column so that the column shaft (shown in yellow below) is fully retracted inside of the housing.
      • Measure the left side C-channel (shown in red) on the side of the steering column. If the left side C-channel is recessed more than 2.1 mm into the housing, replace the steering column.




      • Measure the right side C-channel (shown in red) on the side of the steering column. If the right side C-channel protrudes less than 19.5 mm from the housing, replace the steering column.




    1. Inspect Pedestrian Protection components on the vehicle if it is equipped with Pedestrian Protection (see Pedestrian Protection Components for more information), and replace any damaged components.
    2. Use Toolbox to test the supplementary restraint system for proper operation.

    Parts That Must be Replaced Following Airbag or Seat Belt Pretensioner Deployment

    After a collision when a seat belt pretensioner deployed, replace the following items and all accompanying fasteners:
    • The RCM (Restraint Control Module).
    • Any seat belt that has a deployed pretensioner, and the accompanying seat belt buckle.
    • Any seat belts and buckles that were in use during the collision.
    • If any airbag has deployed, replace the pyrotechnic battery disconnect fuse.
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      Note
      If a seat belt pretensioner deployed, but no airbag deployed, replace the pyrotechnic battery disconnect fuse only if blown.
      Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
      Note
      Do not replace the pyrotechnic battery disconnect fuse unless it has been positively confirmed that the vehicle will be repaired.
    In addition to the parts replaced after a seat belt pretensioner deployed, replace the following items and all accompanying fasteners after a collision when an airbag deployed:
    • Replace any deployed airbag and all accompanying fasteners.
    • If the driver’s front airbag has deployed, replace the steering wheel assembly.
      Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
      Note
      The steering wheel is designed to absorb the forces from the occupant during a collision when an airbag or a pretensioner is deployed. The steering wheel must be replaced because damage may not be visible, and the inspection needed to adequately verify steering wheel structural integrity causes unrepairable damage to the steering wheel.
    • If the driver’s front or knee airbag has deployed, replace the following items and all accompanying fasteners:
      • The steering column assembly
      • The Steering Column Control Module (SCCM)
    • If a side (seat mounted) airbag has deployed, replace the 1st row seat assembly that contains the deployed airbag.
    • If a front airbag (driver or passenger), a knee airbag, or a side (seat mounted) airbag has deployed, replace the following items and all accompanying fasteners:
      • The 3rd row seat assembly, if occupied during the collision.
      • The Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) (clock spring).

    Pedestrian Protection Components

    Model S vehicles are equipped with Pedestrian Protection components such as a pressure sensing tube, and hood actuators.

    1. Pedestrian Protection Pressure Sensing Tube
    2. Pedestrian Protection Hood Actuator (LH)
    3. Pedestrian Protection Hood Actuator (RH)

    To determine if a vehicle is equipped with Pedestrian Protection components, open the hood and look for Pedestrian Protection hood actuators, as shown above.

    If the vehicle is equipped with Pedestrian Protection components, after a frontal collision:

    • Replace the Pedestrian Protection hood actuators if they deployed.
    • Inspect the Pedestrian Protection pressure sensor tube and connector for signs of damage, such as tears in the tube and cracks in the connector. Replace the pressure sensor assembly if any part has been damaged.

    Part Information

    Current airbag component part information can be obtained through the VIN decode feature of the Parts Manual.