Operations after an accident

Operations after an accident

If any of the safety system components are damaged following an accident, they SHOULD BE replaced. Do not attempt to repair the control unit, the clock spring or the Air Bag modules.

Accidents where the Air Bag system is or is not activated

Several of the safety system components should be inspected if the system has been activated and if it has been partly activated or if it has not been activated at all.

These components are the:

• steering column;
• steering column supports;
• area where the electronic control unit and modules are secured;
• clock spring;
• dashboard (in the area of the passenger air bag module).

If the component is distorted, broken or bent, it should be replaced.

Accidents where the Air Bag system is activated

Several of the safety system components should be replaced if the vehicle suffers a frontal impact where the safety system is activated.

These components are the:

• Air Bag modules;
• electronic control unit.

As far as the wiring and the connectors are concerned, they should be inspected to identify signs of burning, melting of the external insulation or damage due to excessive heat.

Any signs of damage to the clock spring or in the area where the electronic control unit and Air Bag modules are secured will involve the replacement of the damaged components.

Painting operations

There are no particular safety regulations to be observed for painting operations and drying in the oven, given that the safety system (Air Bag and pre-tensioners) have been designed so that they are not damaged when the exterior of the vehicle gets hot in normal paint drying systems.

The use of naked flames near modules is forbidden.
All electronic control units (including the one for the Air Bag system) should, however, always be removed in case the temperature in certain environments may reach or exceed 85°C).

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