Description & Operation: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Mercury Sable and 2002 Ford Taurus. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Accidental air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. Read and follow all WARNINGS and AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS before working on air bag system or related components.

The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), or air bag system, is designed to provide increased accident protection for driver and front passenger by deploying air bags in a front-end collision or side air bags in a side collision. The air bags, stored in center of steering wheel, instrument panel above glove box and in driver's and front passenger's seat back, deploy in about 40 milliseconds after impact sensors close. Air bag system is designed to be used with 3-point seat belts.

During a front-end collision, Restraints Control Module (RCM), using input from front crash sensor, discriminates between an event that warrants air bag and seat belt pretensioner deployment and an event that does not. Using inputs from driver seat track position sensor and seat belt switches in conjunction with front crash sensor inputs, RCM determines which air bags to deploy and at what deployment rate. In a crash of sufficient force, the RCM signals the air bag modules and seat belt pretensioners to simultaneously deploy.

During a side or lateral collision, the RCM receives information from right and/or left side crash sensor and discriminates between an event that warrants air bag deployment and an event that does not. In a crash of sufficient force, the RCM signals the right and/or left seat air bag module(s) to deploy.

Air bag system includes the following components: Restraints Control Module (RCM), safing sensor (located inside the RCM), back-up power supply (also located inside the RCM), right and left side crash sensors, front crash sensor, dual-stage driver-side air bag module, dual-stage passenger-side air bag module, side air bag modules, seat belt pretensioners, AIR BAG warning light, clockspring and associated wiring harnesses. See COMPONENT LOCATIONS .