Stratus Sedan V6-2.7L (2001)
DIAGNOSE OR SERVICE ANY AIRBAG SYSTEM OR RELATED STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT
PANEL COMPONENTS YOU MUST FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE. WAIT
TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE FURTHER SYSTEM SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE
WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DO THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND
POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY. NEVER STRIKE OR KICK THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE, AS IT CAN DAMAGE THE IMPACT
SENSOR OR AFFECT ITS CALIBRATION. IF AN AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE IS ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED DURING SERVICE,
THE MODULE MUST BE SCRAPPED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW UNIT.
The airbag warning lamp is the only point at which the customer can observe symptoms of a system malfunction. Whenever the ignition key is
turned to the run or start position, the MIC performs a lamp check by turning the airbag warning indicator on for 6-8 seconds. After the lamp
check, if the indicator turns on, it means that the ORC has checked the system and found it to be free of discernible malfunctions. If the lamp
remains on, there could be an active fault in the system or the MIC lamp circuit may be internally shorted to ground. If the lamp comes on and
stays on for a period longer than 6-8 seconds then goes OFF, there is usually an intermittent problem in the system.
Curtain Airbags
The Left and Right curtain airbag modules are located in the outboard edge of the roof under the headliner, just above the door opening. The
curtain airbag contains a squib and inflator (a small canister of highly compressed argon gas) and a mounting bracket mounted to the C post and
tethered to the A post. When supplied with the proper electrical signal the inflator can discharge the compress gas it contains directly into the
curtain airbag. Upon deployment, the curtain will tear open the headliner allowing the curtain airbag to fully deploy between the headliner and
seat. The curtain airbag module cannot be repaired and must be replaced if deployed or in any way damaged.
WARNING: THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MODULE CONTAINS ARGON GAS PRESSURIZED TO 17236.89 Kpa (2500 PSI). DO
NOT ATTEMPT TO DISMANTLE AN AIRBAG MODULE OR TAMPER WITH ITS INFLATOR. DO NOT PUNCTURE,
INCINERATE, OR BRING INTO CONTACT WITH ELECTRICITY. DO NOT STORE AT TEMPERATURE EXCEEDING 93 °C
(200 °F). REPLACE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS ONLY WITH PARTS SPECIFIED IN THE MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.
SUBSTITUTE PARTS MAY APPEAR INTERCHANGEABLE, BUT INTERNAL DIFFERENCES MAY RESULT IN INFERIOR
OCCUPANT PROTECTION. THE FASTENERS, SCREWS, AND BOLTS ORIGINALLY USED FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM
COMPONENTS HAVE SPECIAL COATINGS AND ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THEY MUST
NEVER BE REPLACED WITH ANY SUBSTITUTES. ANY TIME A NEW FASTENER IS NEEDED, REPLACE IT WITH THE
CORRECT FASTENERS PROVIDED IN THE SERVICE PACKAGE OR SPECIFIED IN THE MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.
ORC/SIACM Diagnostic Trouble Codes
Airbag diagnostic trouble codes consist of active and stored codes. If more than one code exists, diagnostic priority should be given to the active
codes. Each diagnostic trouble code is diagnosed by following a specific testing procedure. The diagnostic test procedures contain step-by-step
instructions for determining the cause of the trouble codes. It is not necessary to perform all of the tests in this book to diagnose an individual
code.
Always begin by reading the diagnostic trouble codes using the DRB III. Always begin diagnostic with the Table of Contents. This will direct you
to the specific test(s) that must be performed. Active diagnostic trouble codes for the air-bag system are not permanent and will change the
moment the reason for the code is corrected. In certain test procedures diagnostic trouble codes are used as a diagnostic tool.
Part 2B
Active Codes
The code becomes active as soon as the malfunction is detected or key-in, whichever occurs first. An active trouble code indicates an on-going
malfunction. This means that the defect is currently there every time the airbag control module checks that circuit or component. It is impossible to
erase an active code. Active codes automatically erase by themselves when the reason for the code has been corrected. With the exception of the
warning lamp trouble codes or malfunctions, when a malfunction is detected, the airbag lamp remains lit for a minimum of 12 seconds or as long
as the malfunction is present.
Stored Codes
Airbag codes are automatically stored in the ORC's memory as soon as the malfunction is detected. The exception is the Loss of Ignition Run Only
code which is an active code only. A stored code indicates there was an active code present at some time. However, the code currently may not be
present as an active code, although another code could be active. When a trouble code occurs, the airbag warning indicator illuminates for 12
seconds minimum (even if the problem existed for less than 12 seconds). The code is stored, along with the time in minutes it was active, and the
number of times the ignition has been cycled since the problem was last detected. The minimum time shown for any code will be one minute, even
if the code was actually present for less than one minute. Thus, the time shown for a code that was present for two minutes 13 seconds, for
example, would be three minutes. If a malfunction is detected a diagnostic trouble code is stored and will remain stored. When and if the
malfunction ceases to exist, an ignition cycle count will be initiated for that code. If the ignition cycle count reaches 100 without a reoccurrence of
the same malfunction, the diagnostic trouble code is erased and that ignition cycle counter is reset to zero. If the malfunction reoccurs before the
count reaches 100, then the ignition cycle counter will be reset and the diagnostic trouble code will continue to be a stored code. If a malfunction is
not active while performing a diagnostic test procedure, the active code diagnostic test will not locate the source of the problem. In this case, the
stored code can indicate an area to inspect. It no obvious problems are found, erase stored codes, and with the ignition on wiggle the wire harness
and connectors, rotate the steering wheel from stop to stop. Recheck for codes periodically as you work through the system. This procedure may
uncover a malfunction that is difficult to locate.
