New bumper, airbag question.

[Iron James]

I'm getting a new bumper/bush bar fabbed for my 93 ZJ, and was just wondering what precautions should I take when taking off my stock front bumper and getting the new one put on?
Is there a way to disable the airbag while doing work on the front end? Or do I even need to worry about it?

[HIWYH8R]

Take the airbag fuse out (should be written on fusebox cover) and disconnect the battery. It takes considerable force to set off the airbag and I doubt any hammering or what not would cause it to go off, but I wouldn't want to find out the hard way (or expensive way)

Kel

[Dragonmaster]

the airbags take a lot of deceleration force to go off and aren't connected to your bumpers in any way.  Hammer away.

[HIWYH8R]

Yes you are right about the force it takes and the fact that the crash sensors are not mounted to the bumper, but the crash sensors are usually on the radiator support or somewhere near. A miss with a hammer while modifying:) and accidently hitting the crash sensor could cause it to go off. I say know where the sensors are and be aware of them.

[Iron James]

Awsome thanks for the input. I wasn't sure if there was a fuse for it or not and like HIWYH8R said, I really didn't feel like learning the expensive way.

Thanks

- Joel

[BlackYJ]

Actually there are multiple sensors and the decleration force has to be enough through a couple sensors for the bags to go off; hitting 1 should not be a problem

[HIWYH8R]

Ok, I see what your saying, I should of knew that since I'm a tech. But I still wouldn't wan't to try hitting one with a hammer  :shock:  I hate taking airbags out when fixing cars, I get this feeling of handling a loaded bomb even though I know what it takes to set one off  

[ramtuff]

Ok, I see what your saying, I should of knew that since I'm a tech. But I still wouldn't wan't to try hitting one with a hammer  :shock:  I hate taking airbags out when fixing cars, I get this feeling of handling a loaded bomb even though I know what it takes to set one off  

gimme a 20lb sledge, I'll hit it as hard as you want. there is no way your gonna set of a airbag in a ZJ with a hammer. the airbag control module sits on the tranny tunnel and measures deceleration. no decel, no deploy.

[Luxton]

I"ve actually seen reports that state an airbag deployment can happen at as little as 9km/h... now, where the impact has to be wasn't discussed, but 9km/h is pretty slow, and couple probably be dup'd with a hammer.

so, watch what yer poundin and g'luck

this being said, I beat the snot out of my bumper mount with a small sledge to straighten in after some 'rock modifications' and my air bag is still intact...

[ramtuff]

IMPACT SENSOR
The impact sensor provides verification of the direction and severity of an impact. One impact sensor is used. It is located inside the Airbag Control Module (ACM), which is secured to a bracket on the floor pan transmission tunnel inside the vehicle.

The impact sensor is an accelerometer that senses the rate of deceleration. The microprocessor in the ACM monitors the impact sensor signal. A pre-programmed decision algorithm in the microprocessor determines when the deceleration rate indicates an impact that is severe enough to require airbag system protection. The ACM then sends an electrical signal to deploy the airbag system components. The sensor is calibrated for the specific vehicle.


AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE
The Airbag Control Module (ACM) contains the impact sensor, and a microprocessor that monitors the impact sensor signals and the airbag system electrical circuits to determine the system readiness. The ACM contains On-Board Diagnostics (OBD), and will send an airbag lamp-on message to the instrument cluster on the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus to light the airbag indicator lamp in the instrument cluster when a monitored airbag system fault occurs.

The ACM also contains an energy-storage capacitor. This capacitor stores enough electrical energy to deploy the airbags for up to one second following a battery disconnect or failure during an impact. The purpose of the capacitor is to provide airbag system protection in a severe secondary impact, if the initial impact has damaged or disconnected the battery, but was not severe enough to deploy the airbags


NOTES, CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS
A dual front airbag system is a standard equipment safety feature on this model. The system includes an inflatable airbag module in the center of the steering wheel, and a second inflatable airbag module in the instrument panel above the glove box. This system is designed to reduce serious injuries to the driver and front seat passenger during a frontal impact of the vehicle.

To test this passive restraint system, refer to the proper Body Diagnostic Procedures manual. If an airbag module assembly is defective and non-deployed, refer to the Chrysler Corporation current parts return list in the Warranty Policies and Procedures manual for the proper handling procedures.

Following are general descriptions of the major components in the airbag system. Refer to Airbag System in Wiring Diagrams for complete circuit descriptions and diagrams.

NOTE: This group covers both Left-Hand Drive (LHD) and Right-Hand Drive (RHD) versions of this model. Whenever required and feasible, the RHD versions of affected vehicle components have been constructed as mirror-image of the LHD versions. While most of the illustrations used in this group represent only the LHD version, the diagnostic and service procedures outlined can generally be applied to either version. Exceptions to this rule have been clearly identified as LHD or RHD, if a special illustration or procedure is required.

WARNING:
· 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. THEN 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.
· THE AIRBAG MODULE INFLATOR ASSEMBLY CONTAINS SODIUM AZIDE AND POTASSIUM NITRATE. THESE MATERIALS ARE POISONOUS AND EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. CONTACT WITH ACID, WATER, OR HEAVY METALS MAY PRODUCE HARMFUL AND IRRITATING GASES (SODIUM HYDROXIDE IS FORMED IN THE PRESENCE OF MOISTURE) OR COMBUSTIBLE COMPOUNDS. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MODULE CONTAINS ARGON GAS PRESSURIZED TO OVER 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 TEMPERATURES EXCEEDING 93° C (200° F)
· REPLACE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS ONLY WITH PARTS SPECIFIED IN THE CHRYSLER MOPAR PARTS CATALOG. SUBSTITUTE PARTS MAY APPEAR INTERCHANGEABLE, 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 SUBSTITUTES. ANY TIME A NEW FASTENER IS NEEDED, REPLACE IT WITH THE CORRECT FASTENERS PROVIDED IN THE SERVICE PACKAGE OR SPECIFIED IN THE CHRYSLER MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.
· WHEN A STEERING COLUMN HAS AN AIRBAG MODULE ATTACHED, NEVER PLACE THE COLUMN ON THE FLOOR OR ANY OTHER SURFACE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR AIRBAG MODULE FACE DOWN.





as taken from the grand cherokee service manual. If you read that a hammer is dangerous then I guess it is. I don't see it.