General description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Air Bag is a passive safety device formed of one or two cushions which, in the event of a head-on crash, automatically inflate between the body of the occupants of the front seats of the vehicle and the front structures of the passenger compartment.

The system comprises the following components:

• an electronic control unit which contains an electronic circuit with two deceleration sensors; it evaluates the impact situation, implements the intervention strategy and checks and memorises any system faults;
• a driver's side Air Bag module;
• a passenger's side Air Bag module;
• a warning light that indicates any faults,
• a connector for the ALFA TESTER.
• An automatic passenger Air Bag disabling sensor (only up to June '99)

The electronic control, is located in the centre console, unit is equipped with suitably calibrated deceleration sensors, through which it detects a collision situation and triggers the reaction of a chemical compound which produces nitrogen through two electric detonators. The gas inflates the two synthetic fibre cushions respectively housed at the centre of the steering wheel and in a compartment of the dashboard in front of the passenger.

SAFETY RULES TO BE FOLLOWED FOR OPERATIONS ON CARS FITTED WITH AIR BAG SYSTEM

Below we are giving some rules which MUST BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO during any type of operation concerning vehicles fitted with Air Bag safety systems.

PRELIMINARY RULES

You are reminded that Air Bag modules should be handled with care. The use, transport and storage of them are ruled by the following procedures for handling these components.

• Before starting to carry out: body repair work; welding operations; work requiring the removal of Air Bag modules or the control unit.
• Remove the key from the ignition switch

• Always disconnect the battery, i.e.: disconnect the two terminals from their posts and isolate them taping carefully.
• Disconnect the control unit connector waiting at least 10 minutes after disconnecting the battery.
• When removing one of the inflating devices, closely follow the procedure given below:

1. Wait for at least 10 minutes after disconnecting the battery before starting to disassemble the module.
2. Slacken the fastening screws.
3. Disconnect the coupling of the inflation devices
4. Store the devices with the cover upwards in a key-locked metal cabinet. This cabinet, to be used only for this purpose, must never be used for storing any other type of material, especially if inflammable. The cabinet must possess all the requisites foreseen for containing pyrotechnical charges (shockproof metal cabinet with air vents to allow natural ventilation inside) and it must be labelled according to the laws in force (DANGER EXPLOSIVES - USE OF NAKED FLAMES PROHIBITED - DO NOT OPEN UNLESS DULY AUTHORISED).

• All the connectors used and wired on Air Bag modules contain a short circuit clip, until the moment in which the Air Bag modules are connected to a suitable power source through the appropriate connector there is no possibility of unduly activating the units.

A component of the system that was not activated during an accident is to be considered still "active" therefore unexploded components due to faults or guarantee expiry or other causes which make their replacement necessary must be returned to the special centre following the procedure described below

Assembly and disassembly of components of the safety system must be carried out SOLELY by competent, authorised technical staff. The failure to abide by the instructions herein may involve undesired activation of the system, personal injury or unnecessary system repairs. IT IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED TO DISASSEMBLE THE COMPONENTS OF AIR BAG MODULES.

All the system components have been designed specifically to work on a car of specific make and model, therefore Air Bags cannot be adapted, re-used or installed on other vehicles, but only on those for which they were designed and produced. Any attempt to re-use, adapt or install an Air Bag on a different model may cause serious or lethal harm to the occupants of the vehicle in the event of an accident.