Dakota 4WD V8-4.7L (2009)
through left or right curtain airbag line 1 and line 2 (or squib) circuits. The hybrid-type inflator assembly for each airbag contains a small canister of
highly compressed inert gas. When the ORC sends the proper electrical signal to the airbag inflator, the electrical energy creates enough heat to ignite
chemical pellets within the inflator.
Once ignited, these chemicals burn rapidly and produce the pressure necessary to rupture a containment disk in the inert gas canister. The inflator and
inert gas canister are sealed and connected to a tubular manifold so that all of the released gas is directed into the folded curtain airbag cushion, causing
the cushion to inflate. As the airbag cushion inflates it will drop down from the roof rail between the edge of the headliner and the side glass/body pillars
to form a curtain-like cushion to protect the vehicle occupants during a side impact collision.
The front and rear tethers keep the side airbag cushion taut to the side of the vehicle, thus ensuring that the bag will deploy in the proper position.
Following the airbag deployment, the airbag cushion quickly deflates by venting the inert gas through the loose weave of the cushion fabric, and the
deflated cushion hangs down loosely from the roof rail.
Proper diagnosis of the side curtain airbag inflator and the curtain airbag squib circuits requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate
diagnostic information.
Driver Air Bag - Description
DESCRIPTION
The color-keyed, injection molded, thermoplastic driver airbag protective trim cover (2) is the most visible part of the driver airbag. The driver airbag is
located in the center of the steering wheel (1), where it is secured with two screws to the armature of the four-spoke steering wheel. All vehicles have a
chrome Dodge Ram emblem in the center of the trim cover. Concealed beneath the driver airbag trim cover are the horn switch, the folded airbag
cushion, the airbag cushion retainer, the airbag housing, the airbag inflator, and the retainers that secure the inflator to the airbag housing.
The airbag cushion, housing (5), and inflator (3) are secured within an integral receptacle molded into the back of the trim cover (4). The four vertical
walls of this receptacle have a total of 12 small windows with blocking tabs that are engaged by 12 hook formations around the perimeter of the airbag
housing. Each hook is inserted through one of the windows and the blocking tab in each window keeps the hook properly engaged with the trim cover,
locking the trim cover securely into place on the airbag housing.
