RAM 1500 Truck 2WD V8-5.7L VIN 2 (2006)
Air Bag: Description and Operation
Air Bag-Side Curtain
Optional side curtain airbags are available for this model when it is also equipped with dual front airbags. These airbags are passive, inflatable,
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) components, and vehicles with this equipment can be readily identified by a molded identification trim button with
the "SRS - AIRBAG" logo located on the headliner above each A-pillar (standard cab), or above each B-pillar (quad cab and mega cab). This system is
designed to reduce injuries to the vehicle occupants in the event of a side impact collision.
Vehicles equipped with side curtain airbags have two individually controlled curtain airbag units. These airbag units are concealed and mounted above
the headliner where they are each secured to one of the roof side rails (5). Each folded airbag cushion is contained within a fabric wrap (8) that extends
along the roof rail from the A-pillar (6) at the front of the vehicle to the pillar at the rear of the vehicle. The channel is initially secured during installation
with plastic push-in fasteners to the roof rail.
A long tether (7) extends down the A-pillar from the front of the airbag cushion, where it is retained to the pillar with plastic push-in routing clips and it
is secured to the base of the A-pillar near the belt line with a screw. Mega cab models also hale a rear tether that is retained with plastic push-in routing
clips and secured to the C-pillar near the back of the cab with a screw.
The hybrid-type inflator (3) for each airbag is secured to the roof rail at the rear of the airbag unit behind the B-pillar (standard cab) or C-pillar (quad cab
and mega cab), and is connected to the airbag cushion by a long tubular manifold (4). The entire assembly is secured to several spring nuts spaced along
the inside of the roof rail with screws.
A two-wire take out and connector of the body wire harness with a keyed and latched connector insulator (1) on the B-pillar (standard cab) or C-pillar
(quad cab and mega cab) is connected directly to the connector receptacle of the initiator near the back of the airbag inflator. The body wire harness
connects each curtain airbag unit to the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC).
The side curtain airbag unit cannot be adjusted or repaired and must be replaced if deployed, faulty, or in any way damaged. Once a side curtain airbag
has been deployed, the complete airbag unit, the headliner, the upper A, B, and C-pillar trim, and all other visibly damaged components must be
replaced.
Each side curtain airbag is deployed individually by an electrical signal generated by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) to which it is connected
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
