Caravan FWD V6-3.3L VIN 3 Flex Fuel (2001)
Air Bag Control Module: Description and Operation
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROLLER
The front driver and passenger airbag system is designed to reduce the risk of fatality or serious injury, caused by a frontal impact of the vehicle.
The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) contains the impact sensor and energy reserve capacitor. It is mounted on a bracket, under the
instrument panel, just forward of the storage bin. The ORC monitors the system to determine the system readiness. The ORC contains on-board
diagnostics and will light the AIRBAG warning lamp in the message center when a problem occurs.
The impact sensor provides verification of the direction and severity of the impact. One impact sensor is used. It is located inside the Occupant
Restraint Controller (ORC). The impact sensor is an accelerometer that senses deceleration. The deceleration pulses are sent to a microprocessor
which contains a decision algorithm. When an impact is severe enough to require airbag protection, the ORC microprocessor sends a signal that
completes the electrical circuit to the driver and passenger airbags. The impact sensor is calibrated for the specific vehicle and reacts to the
severity and direction of an impact.
SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE
The side airbag system is a safety devise designed to reduce the risk of fatality or serious injury, caused by a side impact of the vehicle.
Vehicles equipped with side impact airbags use two Side Impact Airbag Control Modules (SIACM). One is located on each respective side body
B-pillar. Each contains an impact sensor that senses a side impact occurrence. The SIACM communicates with the ORC via the PCI bus in order
to notify the driver of any potential side airbag system problem.
The impact sensor provides verification of the direction and severity of the side impact. The right side SIACM controls the right seat airbag. The
left side SIACM controls the left seat airbag. In the event of a side impact the appropriate SIACM will send an electronic signal to its airbag,
deploying the airbag. The SIACM communicates with the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) via the PCI bus circuit.
The accelerometer pulses are sent to a microprocessor, which contains a decision algorithm. When an impact is severe enough to require airbag
protection, the SIACM microprocessor sends a signal to deploy the side airbag that completes the electrical circuits to the right or left side airbag.
The sensor is calibrated for the specific vehicle and reacts to the severity and direction of the impact.
