Passive Restraints

The passive restraints available for this model include Next Generation driver and front passenger airbags. This airbag system is a passive, inflatable, Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and vehicles with this equipment can be readily identified by the "SRS - AIRBAG" logo molded into the driver airbag trim cover in the center of the steering wheel and also into the passenger airbag door on the instrument panel above the glove box. See Fig 1. Vehicles with the airbag system can also be identified by the airbag indicator, which will illuminate in the instrument cluster for about seven seconds as a bulb test each time the ignition switch is turned to the On position.

Fig 1: SRS Logo

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

The supplemental restraint system includes the following major components, which are described in further detail elsewhere in this service information:

1. Airbag Control Module  - The Airbag Control Module (ACM) is located on a mount on the floor panel transmission tunnel, below the center of the instrument panel.
2. Airbag Indicator  - The airbag indicator is integral to the ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC), which is located on the instrument panel in front of the driver.
3. Clockspring  - The clockspring is located near the top of the steering column, directly beneath the steering wheel.
4. Driver Airbag  - The driver airbag is located in the center of the steering wheel, beneath the driver airbag trim cover.
5. Driver Knee Blocker  - The driver knee blocker is a molded plastic structural unit secured to the back side of and integral to the instrument panel steering column opening cover.
6. Passenger Airbag  - The passenger airbag is located on the instrument panel, beneath the passenger airbag door on the instrument panel above the glove box on the passenger side of the vehicle.
7. Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch  - Models without a rear seat are equipped with a passenger airbag on/off switch, which is located in a dedicated opening on the passenger side of the accessory switch bezel in the lower center stack area of the instrument panel.
8. Passenger Knee Blocker  - The passenger knee blocker is a structural reinforcement that is integral to and concealed within the glove box door.

The ACM and the EMIC each contain a central processing unit and programming that allow them to communicate with each other using the Programmable Communication Interface (PCI) data bus network. This method of communication is used by the ACM for control of the airbag indicator on all models equipped with dual front airbags. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES/COMMUNICATION - DESCRIPTION) .

Hard wired circuitry connects the supplemental restraint system components to each other through the electrical system of the vehicle. These hard wired circuits are integral to several wire harnesses, which are routed throughout the vehicle and retained by many different methods. These circuits may be connected to each other, to the vehicle electrical system and to the supplemental restraint system components through the use of a combination of soldered splices, splice block connectors and many different types of wire harness terminal connectors and insulators. Refer to SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS and WIRING DIAGRAM INFORMATION . The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures, further details on wire harness routing and retention, as well as pin-out and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.