Stratus Sedan V6-2.7L (2001)
Body Control Module: Description and Operation
Part 2 of 2
Part 2A
AIRBAG SYSTEM/OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROLLER SYSTEM
The 2001 Airbag System contain the following components: Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC), Airbag Warning Indicator, Clockspring,
Driver and Passenger Dual Squib Airbags, Seat belt Tensioners, Left and Right Side Impact Airbag Control Module (SIACM), and Curtain (roof
mounted) Airbags.
The (ORC) is a new type of Airbag Control Module (ACM) that supports staged airbag deployment. Staged deployment is the ability to trigger
airbag system squib inflators all at once or individually as needed to provide the appropriate restraint for the severity of the impact. The ORC has
four major functions: PCI Bus communications, On-board diagnostics, impact sensing, and component deployment. The ORC also contains an
energy-storage capacitor. This capacitor stores enough electrical energy to deploy the front airbag components for two seconds following a battery
disconnect or failure during an impact. The ORC is secured to the floor panel transmission tunnel between the front seats inside the vehicle. The
ORC cannot be repaired or adjusted and must be replaced.
The ORC sends and/or receives PCI Bus messages with the Instrument Cluster (MIC), Body Control Module (BCM), Left and Right Side Impact
Airbag Control Module (SIACM) and Powertrain Control Module (PCM). Diagnostic trouble codes will be set if the communication with these
modules is lost or contains invalid information.
The microprocessor in the ORC monitors the impact sensor signal and the airbag system electrical circuits to determine the system readiness. The
ORC also monitors bus messages from both SIACM. If the ORC detects a monitored system fault or SIACM fault, it sends a message to the
instrument cluster via PCI bus to turn on the airbag warning indicator. The ORC can set both active and stored diagnostic trouble codes to aid in
the diagnosing system problems. See ORC/SIACM DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES.
The ORC has an internal accelerometer that senses the rate of vehicle deceleration, which provides verification of the direction and severity of an
impact. A pre-programmed decision algorithm in the ORC microprocessor determines when the deceleration rate is severe enough to require
airbag system protection. The ORC also uses the crash severity to determine the level of driver and front passenger deployment, low medium or
high. When the programmed conditions are met, the ORC sends an electrical signal to deploy the appropriate airbag system components.
THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE, COMPLEX ELECTROMECHANICAL UNIT. BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO 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 MCI 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.
Driver Airbag
The airbag protective trim cover is the most visible part of the driver side airbag system. The protective trim cover is fitted to the front of the
airbag module and forms a decorative cover in the center of the steering wheel. The module is mounted directly to the steering wheel. Located
under the trim cover are the horn switch, the airbag cushion, and the airbag cushion supporting components. The airbag module includes a housing
to which the cushion and hybrid inflator are attached and sealed. For 2001 driver airbag has dual stage squib inflators that include a small canister
of highly compressed argon gas. The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) uses vehicle crash severity, to determine the level of airbag
deployment. When supplied with the proper electrical signal, the hybrid inflator or inflators discharge the compressed gas it contains directly into
the cushion. The airbag module cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed or in any way damaged.
WARNING: THE DRIVER AIRBAG MODULE CONTAINS ARGON GAS PRESSURIZED TO OVER 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 CHRYSLER MOPAR PARTS
CATALOG. SUBSTITUTE PARTS MAY APPEAR INTER-CHANGEABLE, 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.
