3.2TL TYPE S V6-3.2L SOHC (2002)
Air Bag(s) Arming and Disarming: Description and Operation
SRS Components
SRS Components
Airbags
The SRS is a safety device which, when used with the seat belt, is designed to help protect the driver and front passenger in a frontal impact exceeding a
certain set limit. The system consists of the SRS unit, including safing sensor and impact sensor (A), the cable reel (B), the driver's airbag (C), the front
passenger's airbag (D), side airbags (E), and seat belt tensioners (I).
Since both airbags use the same sensors, both airbags normally inflate at the same time. However, it is possible for only one airbag to inflate.
This can occur when the severity of a collision is at the margin, or threshold, that determines whether or not the airbags will deploy. In such cases, the
seat belt will provide sufficient protection, and the supplemental protection offered by the airbag would be minimal.
Side Airbags
The side airbags (E) are in each front seat-back. They help protect the upper torso of the driver or front seat passenger during a moderate to severe side
impact. Side impact sensors (F) in each door sill and in the SRS unit detect such an impact and instantly inflate the driver's or the passenger's side airbag.
Only one side airbag will deploy during a side impact. If the impact is on the passenger's side, the passenger's side airbag will deploy even if there is no
passenger.
Seat Belt Tensioner
The seat belt tensioners (1) are linked with the SRS airbags to further increase the effectiveness of the seat belt. In a front-end collision, the tensioner
instantly retracts the belt firmly to secure the occupants in their seats.
OPDS
The side airbag system also includes an Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS). This system consists of sensors (G) and an OPDS unit (H) in the
front passenger's seat-back. The OPDS unit sends occupant height and position data to the SRS unit. If the SRS unit determines that the front passenger
is of small stature (for example, a child) and the front passenger is leaning into the side airbag deployment path, it will automatically disable the airbag.
The SRS unit will also disable the airbag when the OPDS detects certain objects on the seat. When the side airbag is disabled, the Side Airbag indicator
on the instrument panel alerts the driver that the passenger's side airbag will not deploy in a side impact. When the object is removed, or the passenger
sits upright, the Side Airbag indicator will go off, alerting the driver that the side airbag will deploy in a side impact.
