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.
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:
- Turn on the drive rail of the vehicle.
- Connect a laptop to the diagnostic port of the vehicle, and then use Toolbox 3 to locally connect to the vehicle. See Toolbox 3 (Connect and Disconnect).
- Unlock the vehicle gateway for diagnostic communication. See Gateway Unlock.p
- Determine the RCM type of the vehicle under cfg_restraint_controls. See Gateway Configuration (Display and Change).
- In Toolbox 3, click the Actions tab, type "Airbag-Config" into the search field, click , click Run, and allow the routine to complete.
- In Toolbox 3, click the Actions tab, type "ESP-CONFIG" into the search field, click PROC_ESP_X_ESP-CONFIGSearch for routine in ToolboxESP ConfigurationChassis / Brakes - ESP Config, click Run, and allow the routine to complete.
- Cycle the drive rail.
- Perform the vehicle HV disablement procedure (refer to 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.
- 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 Passive Safety Restraint Control Module (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.
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:
Handling and storage
- 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.
SRS Harnesses and Connectors
Steering Angle Sensor (SAS) 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
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:
- 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.
- 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.