Airbag and Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) Precautions
General Precautions
The supplementary restraint system (SRS) includes air bags, pre-tensioners, and other safety-related components. The SRS contains components which could be potentially hazardous to the technician if not serviced and handled correctly.
Warning
Take all SRS-related training
courses prior to servicing SRS components and always follow these precautions and the relevant
Service Manual procedures when servicing air bags and other SRS components.
Warning
An undeployed air bag module
or pre-tensioner contains sodium azide, which is poisonous and extremely flammable. Contact with
water, acid or heavy metals might produce harmful or explosive compounds. Do not dismantle,
incinerate or bring into contact with electricity.
Warning
In the event of an air bag or seat belt tensioner deployment, certain air bag and seat belt components must be replaced, and other components must be inspected for damage. Refer to the Body Repair procedures manual section "SRS Inspection and Component Replacement" for a specific list of items that must be inspected and replaced.
Warning
Do not expose an air bag module or seat belt pre-tensioner to heat exceeding 85°C.
These precautions are not restricted to operations performed when servicing the SRS; the same care must be exercised when working on other systems and components located near the SRS components:
- Steering system: Driver’s air bag, clockspring.
- Dash: Passenger's air bag, knee air bags.
- Interior trim: Restraint Control Module (RCM), Vehicle Controllers (VCLEFT, VCRIGHT, VCEREAR), front seat belt pre-tensioners, curtain air bags.
- Electrical system: Pyrotechnic fuse, SRS harnesses, connectors.
Making the system safe
Before working on, or in the vicinity of, SRS components, perform the following procedures to disable the system:
- Use Service Mode to check for any stored fault codes.
- Disconnect MV power. See Disconnect MV Power.
- Wait 2 minutes for the energy reserve capacitors to discharge.
Installation
Carefully inspect SRS components before installation. Do not install a component if it shows evidence of being dropped or improperly handled, such as dents, cracks or deformation.
Warning
- Never install used SRS components from another vehicle or attempt to repair an SRS component. Use only new, genuine Tesla replacement parts.
- Never use SRS components that lack clear identification labels.
- Never use an RCM that has been dropped.
- Never apply electrical power to an SRS component unless instructed to do so as part of an approved test procedure.
- Always use new fasteners when replacing SRS components. Ensure that the fasteners are tightened to the specified torque.
- Ensure SRS components are not contaminated with oil, grease, detergent or water.
- Ensure the RCM is installed correctly. There must not be any gap between the RCM and its mounting bracket. An incorrectly mounted RCM might cause the system to malfunction.
- Do not supply power to the RCM until all other SRS components are connected.
Note
After seat belt pre-tensioner deployment, the affected seat belts will be locked and can not be used as conventional seat belts. They must be replaced.
SRS component testing precautions
The air bags and other SRS components are triggered using relatively low operating currents. To prevent accidental deployment, always adhere to the following precautions:
Warning
Do not use a multimeter or
other general purpose test equipment on SRS components. Only use the recommended diagnostic
equipment to diagnose system faults.
Warning
Do not use electrical test equipment on any SRS harness unless all SRS components are disconnected.
Handling and storage
Warning
- The RCM, pre-tensioners, and air bags must be stored in a secure steel cabinet at room temperature. The storage area must comply with all legal requirements. It must be away from flammable items and have suitable fire extinguishers or other fire extinguishing equipment. Ensure that heat, fire, water and corrosive substances cannot contaminate the stored components.
- Keep new SRS components in the original packaging until they are ready to be installed.
- Never wrap your arms around an air bag module. If an air bag module has to be carried, hold it by the cover, with the cover face up and the base away from your body.
- When handling seat belt pre-tensioners with retracting spool assemblies, never point the end of the piston tube towards your body or at other people. Hold with the piston pointing towards the ground. Do not grip by the retractor reel or seat belt. Hold the outer casing only.
- Always keep components cool, dry and free from contamination.
- Never transport air bag modules or seat belt pre-tensioners in the cabin of a vehicle.
- Never attach anything to an air bag cover or any trim component covering an air bag module. Do not allow anything to rest on top of an air bag module.
- Do not apply grease or cleaning solvents to seat belt pre-tensioner units. Component failure could result.
- Never drop an air bag or SRS component. The RCM is a particularly shock sensitive device and must be handled with extreme care.
Warning
Store the airbag module with the deployment
side facing up. This will prevent it from being propelled if accidentally
deployed, which might cause injury.
Warning
Improper handling or storage
can internally damage air bag modules and pre-tensioners, making them inoperative. If you
suspect a module has been damaged, install a new component and properly dispose the damaged
module.
SRS Harnesses and Connectors
Note
SRS wiring can be identified by a special yellow outer sleeve protecting the wires (black with yellow stripe protective coverings are sometimes used).
Warning
Not all SRS wiring may be
serviced. Refer to SI-17-17-002 for more information on what types of SRS wiring can be
serviced and whether approvals are needed before performing the repair.
Warning
Never install electronic equipment (such as a mobile telephone, two-way radio or in-car entertainment system) in such a way that it could generate electrical interference in the SRS harnesses. Seek specialist advice when installing such equipment.
Warning
Always ensure that SRS wiring is routed correctly. Be careful to avoid trapping or pinching the cables. Do not leave the connectors hanging loose or allow SRS components to hang from their harnesses. Look for possible points of chafing.
Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) Precautions
CAUTION
Always follow the procedure
for fitting and checking the SCCM as instructed in the air bag and SRS repairs section. Comply
with all safety and installation procedures to ensure the system functions correctly.
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions:
- Do not unlock and rotate the SCCM when it is removed from the vehicle.
- Always ensure the SCCM is removed and installed in its centered position and with the front road wheels in the straight ahead position. Refer to the air bag and SRS repair section for the correct removal and installation procedure.
- If a new SCCM is being installed, ensure the locking tab holding the SCCM rotational position is not broken; units with a broken locking tab should not be used.
Warning Labels
Warning
Read and follow all warnings and cautions printed on SRS component warning labels.
Undeployed SRS Components
- Airbags (Knee, Side curtain, Steering Wheel, Passenger etc.), seatbelt/lap pre-tensioners and pyrotechnic devices contain a small pyrotechnic charge and toxic chemicals and are therefore hazardous.
- When they are returned to the manufacturer or to the automaker they do not have to be managed as waste.
- Immediately begin to manage undeployed airbags and seatbelt/lap pre-tensioners as hazardous when the decision is made to discard them.
- Place undeployed airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners in a UN-rated steel drum labeled “Waste Safety Devices”.
- Verify that containers are kept less than half full.