Airbag and Supplementary
Restraint System (SRS)
Precautions
General Precautions
The Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) includes airbags,
pretensioners, 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 airbags and
other SRS components. Only trained professionals should service the SRS.
Warning
An undeployed airbag
module or pretensioner 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
airbag or seatbelt pretensioner deployment, certain airbag and seatbelt components
must be replaced, and other components must be inspected for damage.
Warning
Do not expose an
airbag module or seatbelt pretensioner to heat exceeding 85°C.
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.
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
airbag and knee airbag.
Dash: Passenger airbag
and knee airbag.
Interior trim: Restraint
Control Module (RCM), LH and RH Body Control Modules (BCM), seatbelt
pretensioners, and curtain air bags.
Electrical system:
Pyrotechnic fuse, SRS harnesses, link leads, and connectors.
Making the SRS System Safe
Before working on, or in the vicinity of, SRS components, perform the
following procedures to disable the SRS system:
Use Toolbox to check for any stored fault Diagnostic Trouble
Codes (DTCs).
Perform the vehicle HV disablement procedure. Refer to procedure
17010000, "Vehicle HV Disablement Procedure."
Wait 1 minute for the energy reserve capacitors to
discharge.
Installation
Carefully inspect SRS components before installation. Do not install an
SRS 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 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. Make
sure that the fasteners are tightened to the specified torque.
Make sure that SRS components are not contaminated with oil,
grease, detergent, or water.
Make sure that the RCM is installed correctly. There must
not be any gap between the RCM and the body. An incorrectly mounted RCM
might cause the SRS system to malfunction.
Do not supply power to the RCM until all other SRS
components are connected.
Note
After seatbelt pretensioner
deployment, the affected seatbelts will be locked and cannot be used as conventional
seatbelts. They must be replaced.
SRS Component Testing
Precautions
The airbags 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 SRS 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, pretensioners, and airbags 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.
Makes sure 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 airbag module. If an airbag
module has to be carried, hold it by the cover, with the cover face up
and the base away from your body.
When handling seatbelt pretensioners 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 seatbelt. Hold the outer casing
only.
Always keep components cool, dry, and free from
contamination.
Never transport airbag modules or seatbelt pretensioners in
the cabin of a vehicle.
Never attach anything to an airbag cover or any trim
component covering an airbag module. Do not allow anything to rest on
top of an airbag module.
Do not apply grease or cleaning solvents to seatbelt
pretensioner units. Component failure could result.
Never drop an airbag 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 airbag modules and pretensioners, 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 make sure
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.
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 airbag module
or pretensioner, the module or pretensioner must be manually deployed.
Always observe the following precautions:
Warning
Only personnel who
have undergone the appropriate training should undertake deployment of airbag and
seatbelt pretensioner modules.
Warning
A recently deployed
airbag or seatbelt pretensioner is very hot. DO NOT handle a deployed module or
pretensioner until at least 30 minutes after deployment.
Warning
Only use approved
deployment equipment, and only deploy airbags and pretensioner components in a
well-ventilated designated area. Make sure components are not damaged or ruptured
before deployment.
Warning
Do not lean over
airbag modules or seatbelt pretensioner 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 airbag
modules and seatbelt pretensioners can cause injury to personnel in the close
vicinity of the deploying unit. Make sure that all personnel are at least 15 m (50
ft) away from the deployment zone. Possible sources of injury include:
Impact: due to inflating
airbag or pretensioner operation causing component "kick."
Hearing: due to noise
produced by deploying airbags and seatbelt pretensioner units.
Burns: hot component
parts and gases.
Irritation to eyes and
lungs: from deploying gases or combustion residue.
Warning
Make sure 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.