Vibe L4-1.8L VIN L (2003)
Air Bag: Description and Operation
Dual Stage Inflator Modules
The inflator modules consist of an inflatable bag and an inflator. An inflator consists of a canister of gas-generating material and an two initiating
devices.
The two initiators are part of the deployment loop. When the vehicle is in a frontal crash of sufficient force, the SDM causes current to flow through the
frontal air bag deployment loops. The inflator modules have two stages of deployment, which varies the amount of restraint to the occupant according to
the collision severity. For moderate frontal collisions the inflator modules deploy at less than full deployment (low deployment) which consists of stage 1
of the inflator module. For more severe frontal collisions a full deployment is initiated which consists of stage 1 and stage 2 of the inflator module.
Current passing through the initiators ignites the material in the inflator module. The gas produced from this reaction rapidly inflates the air bag.
There are shorting bars located on the steering wheel module connector, the IP module connector, and the SDM connectors. The shorting bars will short
across the deployment loop circuits during the disconnection of the connector. The shorting of the circuitry will help prevent unwanted deployment of
the air bag or pretensioner when servicing the vehicle.