Grand Caravan V6-3.8L (2009)
Located below the passenger airbag door within the instrument panel is the passenger airbag unit. The passenger airbag unit is secured through a stamped
metal bracket (5) with screws to the instrument panel structural support armature forward of the upper glove box opening. The passenger airbag housing
(1) fits into a molded retainer/receptacle on the lower surface of the airbag door, where several stamped hook formations (2) on the upper and lower
edges of the airbag housing are engaged in mating small window openings on the front and rear flanges of the retainer/receptacle to secure the airbag
door to the airbag housing. These airbag door fasteners and mounting provisions are all concealed below the upper surface of the instrument panel.
The passenger airbag unit used in this vehicle is a multistage, Next Generation-type that complies with revised federal airbag standards to deploy with
less force than those used in some prior vehicles. The passenger airbag unit consists of a stamped metal housing, the airbag cushion (3), and a dual
initiator airbag inflator. The airbag housing contains the airbag inflator and the folded airbag cushion. An approximately 80 centimeter (31.5 inch) wide
by 90 centimeter (35.5 inch) high rectangular fabric cushion with internal tethers is used.
The airbag inflator is a non-azide, hybrid-type unit that is secured to and sealed within the airbag housing. The two inflator initiators (4) are connected to
the vehicle electrical system through a pigtail wire harness with connector insulators connected to the two inflator initiators on the airbag. The connector
insulators are uniquely keyed and color-coded to ensure they can only be connected to the correct initiator. A four-wire connector insulator on the
opposite end of the pigtail connects to a dedicated takeout and connector of the instrument panel wire harness.
A service replacement passenger airbag does not include the airbag door. The passenger airbag door may be disassembled from the passenger airbag and
is available for individual service replacement. The passenger airbag unit cannot be repaired and must be replaced if deployed, ineffective, or in any way
damaged.
Passenger Air Bag - Operation
OPERATION
The multistage passenger airbag is deployed by electrical signals generated by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) through the passenger airbag
squib 1 and squib 2 circuits to the two initiators of the hybrid airbag inflator. By using two initiators, the airbag can be deployed at multiple levels of
force. The force level is controlled by the ORC to suit the monitored impact conditions by providing one of several delay intervals between the electrical
signals provided to the two initiators. The longer the delay between these signals, the less forcefully the airbag will deploy.
When the ORC sends the proper electrical signals to each initiator, the electrical energy generates enough heat to initiate a small pyrotechnic charge
which produces the pressure necessary to rupture a containment disk in an inert gas canister. The inflator and inert gas canister are sealed to the airbag
cushion and a diffuser in the inflator directs all of the inert gas into the airbag cushion, causing the cushion to inflate. As the cushion inflates, the
passenger airbag door will split longitudinally at predetermined tear seam lines concealed on the lower surface of the door. The upper half of the door
pivots up and the lower half pivots down and out of the way. Following an airbag deployment, the airbag cushion quickly deflates by venting the inert
gas through a vent hole in each fabric side panel of the airbag cushion.
Typically, both initiators are used during an airbag deployment event. However, it is possible for only one initiator to be used during a deployment due to
an airbag system fault; therefore, it is necessary to always confirm that both initiators have been used in order to avoid the improper disposal of
potentially live pyrotechnic materials. See: Service and Repair.
Proper diagnosis of the passenger airbag inflator and the passenger airbag squib circuits requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the
appropriate diagnostic information.
Seat Air Bag - Description
DESCRIPTION
