Mark VIII V8-4.6L DOHC (1996)
Safing Sensor: Description and Operation
The sensor is an electrical switch which operates as follows:
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It reacts to impacts according to direction and force.
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It discriminates between impacts that require air bag inflation and impacts that do not require air bag inflation.
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When an impact occurs that requires air bag inflation, the sensor contacts close, completing the electrical circuit necessary for system operation.
Three sensors are mounted in the vehicle. Their locations are as follows:
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A primary crash front air bag sensor and bracket at the RH front radiator support.
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A primary crash front air bag sensor and bracket at the LH front radiator support.
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A safing rear air bag sensor and bracket at the LH kick panel in the passenger compartment.
NOTE: The safing and one of the primary crash sensors must be activated simultaneously to inflate the air bag.
The air bag system is designed to:
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Operate in frontal or front-angled collisions.
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Activate in a crash with severe frontal deceleration, more severe than hitting a parked car of similar size and weight head-on at about 45 km/h (28
mph).
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Sense the severity of the crash rather than the vehicle speed 80 some frontal conditions at speeds above 45 km/h (28 mph) may not be severe
enough to require air bag inflation.
