RAM 2500 Truck 4WD V8-5.7L VIN D (2005)
reinforcement integral to the instrument panel structural support. The passenger airbag door includes an air conditioning panel outlet and housing (2).
The panel outlet housing features four snap features that secure it to the back of the airbag door and a mounting tab that is also secured with one screw to
the upper glove box opening reinforcement.
Located behind the passenger airbag door within the instrument panel is the passenger airbag unit. The passenger airbag housing (8) fits into a molded
receptacle on the back of the airbag door, where six stamped hook formations on the upper and lower edges of the airbag housing are engaged in six
small window openings on the upper and lower flanges of the receptacle to secure the airbag door to the airbag housing. The inboard airbag door
fasteners and mounting flange are concealed beneath the instrument panel center bezel, while the lower fasteners and mounting flange are concealed
beneath the instrument panel lower surround. The passenger airbag unit is secured by four screws through two front (7) and two rear (4) brackets integral
to the base of the airbag housing to the instrument panel structural support.
The passenger airbag unit used in this model is a multistage, Next Generation-type that complies with revised federal airbag standards to deploy with less
force than those used in some prior models. The passenger airbag unit consists of a stamped and welded metal housing, the airbag cushion, the airbag
inflator initiators (6), and a stamped metal airbag and inflator retainer plate that is secured to the airbag housing with six studs and nuts. The airbag
housing contains the airbag inflator and the folded airbag cushion. An approximately 80 centimeter (31.5 inch) wide by 90 centimeter (35.5 inch) high
rectangular fabric cushion is used.
The airbag inflator is a non-azide, pyrotechnic-type unit that is secured to and sealed within the airbag housing. A short four-wire pigtail harness with a
keyed, yellow connector insulator (5) connects the two inflator initiators to the vehicle electrical system through a dedicated take out and connector of
the instrument panel wire harness.
The passenger airbag includes the airbag door, the panel outlet housing and for SRT-10 models only, the instrument panel trim bezel. This unit cannot be
repaired, and must be replaced if deployed, faulty, or in any way damaged.
The multistage passenger airbag is deployed by electrical signals generated by the Airbag Control Module (ACM) through the passenger airbag squib 1
and squib 2 circuits to the two initiators in the airbag inflator. By using two initiators, the airbag can be deployed at multiple levels of force. The force
level is controlled by the ACM to suit the monitored impact conditions by providing one of four delay intervals between the electrical signals provided to
the two initiators. The longer the delay between these signals, the less forcefully the airbag will deploy.
When the ACM sends the proper electrical signals to each initiator, the electrical energy generates enough heat to initiate a small pyrotechnic charge
which, in turn ignites chemical pellets within the inflator. Once ignited, these chemical pellets burn rapidly and produce a large quantity of inert gas. The
inflator is sealed to the airbag cushion and a diffuser in the inflator directs all of the inert gas into the airbag cushion, causing the cushion to inflate. As
the cushion inflates, the passenger airbag door will split at predetermined tear seam lines concealed on the inside surface of the door, then the door will
pivot up over the top of the instrument panel and out of the way. Following an airbag deployment, the airbag cushion quickly deflates by venting the inert
gas through vent holes within the fabric used to construct the back (instrument panel side) of the airbag cushion.
Typically, both initiators are used during an airbag deployment event. However, it is possible for only one initiator to be used during a deployment due to
an airbag system fault; therefore, it is necessary to always confirm that both initiators have been used in order to avoid the improper disposal of
potentially live pyrotechnic materials.
