Grand Caravan FWD V6-3.3L VIN 3 Flex Fuel (2002)
Air Bag Control Module: Description and Operation
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
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.
