Air Bag 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
Always follow these
precautions and the relevant Service Manual procedures when servicing air bags and other SRS
components. Only trained professionals should service the SRS.
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, before the unit has been deployed.
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: Passive Safety Restraint Control Module (PSRCM), Body Control Module (BCM), front seat belt pre-tensioners, curtain air bags.
- Electrical system: Pyrotechnic fuse, SRS harnesses, link leads, connectors.
Making the system safe
Before working on, or in the vicinity of, SRS components, perform the following procedures to disable the system:
- Use Toolbox to check for any stored fault codes.
- Perform the vehicle HV disablement procedure. See Vehicle HV Disablement Procedure.
- Wait 1 minute 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 a PSRCM 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 PSRCM is installed correctly. There must not be any gap between the PSRCM and its mounting bracket. An incorrectly mounted PSRCM might cause the system to malfunction.
- Do not supply power to the PSRCM 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 multi meter 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 PSRCM, 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 PSRCM 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 refer to the Deployment/Disposal Procedures for disposal of 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
SRS wiring can be repaired
only by a Tesla Service Center, Regional Technical Specialist (RTS), or Field Technical
Specialist (FTS). If repair to SRS wiring is necessary, adhere to the documented
procedures.
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 Angle Sensor (SAS) Precautions
CAUTION
Always follow the procedure for fitting and checking the SAS 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 SAS when it is removed from the vehicle.
- Always ensure the SAS 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 SAS is being installed, ensure the locking tab holding the SAS 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.
SRS Component Deployment
If a vehicle is to be scrapped and contains an undeployed air bag module or pre-tensioner, the module must be manually deployed.
Always observe the following precautions:
Warning
Only personnel who have undergone the appropriate training should undertake
deployment of air bag and seat belt pre-tensioner modules.
Warning
A recently deployed air bag or seat belt pre-tensioner is very hot. DO NOT
handle a deployed module until at least 30 minutes after deployment.
Warning
Only use approved deployment equipment, and only deploy air bags and
pre-tensioner components in a well-ventilated designated area. Ensure components are not damaged
or ruptured before deployment.
Warning
Do not lean over air bag modules or seat belt pre-tensioner units when
connecting deployment equipment.
Warning
Contact with chemicals from deployed and damaged SRS components could
present a health hazard. Wear protective clothing when handling and seal deployed units in a
plastic bag. DO NOT eat, drink or smoke when handling SRS components.
Warning
Deployment of air bag modules and seat belt pre-tensioners can cause injury
to personnel in the close vicinity of the deploying unit. Ensure that all personnel are at least
15 m (50 ft) away from the deployment zone. Possible sources of injury include:
- Impact - due to inflating air bag or pre-tensioner operation causing component 'kick'.
- Hearing - due to noise produced by deploying air bags and seat belt pre-tensioner units.
- Burns - hot component parts and gases.
- Irritation to eyes and lungs - from deploying gases or combustion residue.
Warning
Ensure the SRS component to be deployed is securely fastened to its
mounting.
Warning
- Only use deployment equipment approved for the intended purpose.
- Test the deployment tool before beginning the deployment procedure.
- Notify the relevant authorities of intention to deploy SRS components.