Restraints (Service Information): Warning

Preliminary instructions 

Before carrying out any repair operations on the bodywork, welding or operations that involve removing the AirBag modules or the AirBag control unit:

Go to Key-OFF condition.

Always disconnect the battery, i.e. disconnect the two terminals (positive and negative) from their poles and carefully insulate them with tape.

Wait for at least one minute before disconnecting the electrical connections of the airbag system components.

Position the devices with the cover upwards in a locked metal cupboard. This cupboard, intended exclusively for this purpose, must not, under any circumstances, be used to store any other types of material, particularly if they are flammable. The cupboard must be designed to store pyrotechnic charges (metal, impact resistant cupboard with grates to allow natural internal ventilation) and must have the markings required by law (DANGER PYROTECHNICS - NO OPEN FLAMES - NOT TO BE OPENED BY UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL).

All the system components have been specifically designed to work on a specific make and type of vehicle, therefore airbags cannot be adapted, reused or installed on other vehicles, only the ones for which they have been designed and produced.

Correct operation of pyrotechnic components (Air Bag, Side Air Bag and tensioners) of Air Bag system must NOT be checked using a tester, but only through the diagnosis equipment which detects any failures.

Since sensors (front and side) are located in impact areas, they must always be replaced in case of activation of their Air Bag modules, even if the do not show any sign of damage or deformation.

After every repair, the system must be checked using the diagnostic equipment.

The system pyrotechnic components have a timed validity, thus it is recommended to replace them after expiration.

To replace an Air Bag module, it is necessary to:

Remove the detachable part of the adhesive label from the new module and place it in a special file that contains the vehicle data (model, registration date, chassis no.) and the serial number of the old control unit. This file should be kept for future checks.

Together with the new module, a new adhesive plate is provided which should be attached on the existing plate on the vehicle. First, it should be pierced at the corresponding expiry month and year

After each activation of one of the controlled systems (tensioners, front Air Bags, Side Air Bags), the control unit stores the activation in its permanent memory and controls activation of the fault warning light on the instrument panel.

In this case, the Air Bag control unit needs to be replaced with a new one even if it doesn't show any sign of damage or deformation.

If the control unit is being replaced, the detachable part of the adhesive label must also be removed and placed in the file mentioned above.

The clock spring for connecting the driver's airbag module is equipped with a device that automatically stops it rotating when the steering wheel is removed. This is designed to prevent the upper plate, no longer secured to the steering wheel, from turning freely and unwinding or winding the cables inside the device and possibly causing them to break. The device is automatically released when the steering wheel is installed.

In case of replacement, installation must be carried out with the wheels straight because this is the corresponding position of the new device. The new device is equipped with a safety system which keeps it locked; this must be removed at steering wheel installation to allow the clock spring to correctly rotate.

There are no special safety regulations to follow for painting and subsequent drying operations in an oven because the modules in particular have been designed in such a way that they are not damaged when the outside surfaces of the vehicle get hot from normal paint drying systems.

If any of the safety system components is damaged following an accident it MUST be replaced.

Do not attempt to repair the control unit, clockspring or airbag modules.

Accidents with or without activation of the airbags

Some of the system components must be inspected after an accident whether the system has been activated or it has NOT been activated. These components are:

Steering column;

Steering column supports;

Electronic control unit and module anchoring area;

Clock spring;

Dashboard (in the area of the passenger Air Bag module).

If the component shows signs of distortion, breaks or bends it MUST be replaced.

Accidents with activation of the airbags

Several of the system components should be replaced if the vehicle is subject to a frontal impact that has fully or partially activated the system.

In the event of partial activation (tensioners or Side Air Bags only), these components are:

Tensioners or Side Air Bags;

Electronic control unit.

In the event of total activation (Air Bag, Side Air Bag and tensioners), these components are:

Front Air Bag modules;

Tensioners or Side Air Bags;

Occupant Restraint Controller module.

As far as the wiring and connectors are concerned, they must be inspected for any signs of burning, melting of the outside insulation or damage from excessive heat.

Any signs of damage to the clock spring or in the area where the electronic control unit and airbag modules are mounted means that the damaged components MUST be replaced

The following precautions should be observed when handling activated airbag modules:

Wear polyurethane protective gloves and safety goggles;

Wash your hands and other exposed parts of the body with soap and water after touching triggered Air Bag units.

There is no potential danger of exposure to the propellants used, as the system is completely sealed.

The propellant mixture is in a solid state; therefore it is impossible to inhale it even if the gas generator cartridge is broken.

There is no danger to human health if the gas escapes.

Contact with the skin should be avoided and the propellant should not be swallowed.

In the case of:

Contact with skin: wash immediately with soap and water.

Contact with eyes: wash eyes immediately with running water for at least 15 minutes.

Inhalation: take the affected person into the open air immediately.

Swallowing: induce vomiting if the person is conscious.

A doctor must always be called in these situations. In normal conditions the driver and passenger Air Bags are activated by the electronic control which enables during the impact. The gases that develop in these conditions are not toxic.

It is important that the personnel who work on devices installed on the car follow the obligatory safety regulations listed below.

The personnel working on the devices must have received suitable training and must observe the following precautions:

When removing and replacing open (deployed) Air Bags, move the modules one at a time and wear protective gloves and goggles for the removal.

Always rest the Air Bag module with the opening flap and the pre-breaking serration facing upwards. Never place anything on top of this flap.

At the end of the operations, wash your hands thoroughly with mild soap and, if there is any contact between the device residual powders and your eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of running water.

On all versions with Air Bag it is forbidden to work from the front seats before having rendered the system inoperative by disconnecting the two battery cables and having waited for 1 minute.

The Air Bag metal components are very hot just after it has been deployed. Avoid touching these components for 10 minutes after the Air Bag has been activated.

Never carry out repair operations on Air Bag modules. Send all defective modules to the supplier.

Never heat the Air Bag module (e.g. through welding, striking, drilling, mechanical machining, etc.).

Never install on the vehicle Air Bag units that have been dropped or show signs of any type of damage.

Gas generators must not come into contact with acid, grease or heavy metal: contact with these substances could cause the formation of gases that are poisonous or harmful, or explosive compounds.

Replacement parts must be stored in their original packaging and the same procedures as for airbag modules that have not been activated and have been removed from the car must be followed for their temporary storage, i.e. in a specially designed, locked, metal cupboard (impact resistant metal cupboard with grates for natural internal ventilation). The cupboard must have special warning signs (DANGER: EXPLOSIVES - NO OPEN FLAMES - NOT TO BE OPENED BY UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL).

The airbag modules installed on the car must not be scrapped with the car itself, but removed first.

The airbag units cannot be scrapped unless they have been activated first.

If the airbag module has not been deployed during an accident it should be considered as still charged.

All non-deployed pyrotechnic material SHOULD NOT BE ACTIVATED, but should be sent to a specialist center with the following written on the accompanying docket: "AIRBAG CONTAINING PYROTECHNIC CHARGE TO BE DEACTIVATED".

The local laws in force must be observed in all cases.

The devices must be sent in the packaging that the replacement parts are received in and, if it is not available, the packaging only can be ordered from the SPARE PARTS department.

Obviously, if airbags are being replaced, the original packaging must be kept intact for dispatching devices which have not been activated.

If necessary, the devices can be ordered, as and when required, from the Spare Parts Department through the V.O.R. procedure since Dealers do not keep these parts in stock. In any case, a record should be kept of internal movements, recording the module identification numbers and vehicle details (chassis number, registration date, model, etc.).