Description & Operation: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis and 2002 Ford Crown Victoria. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Accidental air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. Read and follow all WARNINGS and AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS before working on air bag system or related components.

The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), also known as air bag system, is designed to provide increased accident protection for driver and passenger by deploying air bags in a front-end collision. The air bags, stored in center of steering wheel and in instrument panel above glove box, deploy in about 40 milliseconds after impact sensors close. Air bag system is designed to be used with 3-point seat belts.

During a front-end collision, the air bag Restraints Control Module (RCM), using input from front impact crash sensor, discriminates between an event that warrants air bag and seat belt pretensioner deployment and an event that does not. Using inputs from passenger seat occupant classification sensor, if equipped, driver seat track position sensor and seat belt switches in conjunction with front impact crash sensor inputs, RCM determines which air bags to deploy and at what deployment rate. In a crash of sufficient force, the RCM signals the air bag modules and seat belt pretensioners to simultaneously deploy.

Air bag system includes the following components: Restraints Control Module (RCM) or also known as air bag monitor, safing sensor (located inside the RCM), back-up power supply (also located inside the RCM), dual-stage driver-side air bag module, dual-stage passenger-side air bag module, driver and passenger seat belt pretensioners and seat belt switches, driver seat track position sensor, passenger seat occupant classification sensor, if equipped, AIR BAG warning light, front crash sensor, ignitor assemblies (located in air bag modules), clockspring and associated wiring harnesses. See COMPONENT LOCATIONS .