For 1990-2009 cars

Caution: When carrying an undeployed inflatable restraint seat belt retractor pretensioner:

• | Do not carry the seat belt pretensioner by the seat belt webbing or pigtail connector, if equipped.

• | Carry the seat belt pretensioner by the housing, keeping hands and fingers away from the seat belt webbing.

• | Make sure the opening, from which the seat belt webbing extends, faces downward and the seat belt webbing hangs freely.

Failure to observe these guidelines may result in personal injury.

### Scrapping Procedure

During the course of a vehicles useful life, certain situations may arise which will require the disposal of a live and undeployed seat belt retractor pretensioner. Do not dispose of a live and undeployed seat belt pretensioner through normal disposal channels until the seat belt pretensioner has been deployed. The following information covers the proper procedures for disposing of a live and undeployed seat belt pretensioner. Do not deploy the seat belt retractor pretensioner in the following situations:

• | After replacement of a seat belt retractor pretensioner under warranty. The seat belt retractor pretensioner may need to be returned undeployed to the manufacturer.

• | If the vehicle is the subject of a Product Liability report, GM1241, related to the SIR system or the seat belt system. If the vehicle is subject to the Product Liability report, do not alter the SIR or seat belt system in any manner.

• | If the vehicle is involved in a campaign affecting the seat belt retractor pretensioners. Follow the instructions in the Campaign Service Bulletin for proper SIR handling procedures.

### Deployment Procedures

The seat belt pretensioner can be deployed inside or outside of the vehicle. The method used depends upon the final disposition of the vehicle. Review the following procedures in order to determine which will work best in a given situation.

### Deployment Inside the Vehicle

Refer to Inflator Module Handling and Scrapping for deploying the pretensioner inside vehicle under Vehicle Scrapping Procedure.

### Deployment Outside Vehicle for Seat Belt Pretensioners

Deploy the seat belt pretensioners outside of the vehicle when the vehicle will be returned to service. Situations that require deployment outside of the vehicle include the following:

• | Using the SIR diagnostics, it is determined that the seat belt pretensioner is malfunctioning.

• | The seat belt pretensioner pigtail, if equipped, is damaged.

• | The seat belt retractor pretensioner connector is damaged.

• | The seat belt retractor pretensioner connector terminals are damaged.

Deployment and disposal of a malfunctioning seat belt pretensioner is subject to any required retention period.

Caution: In order to prevent accidental deployment and the risk of personal injury, do not dispose of an undeployed inflatable restraint seat belt pretensioner as normal shop waste. Undeployed seat belt pretensioners contain substances that could cause severe illness or personal injury if their sealed containers are damaged during disposal. Use the following deployment procedures to safely dispose of an undeployed seat belt pretensioner. Failure to observe the following disposal methods may be a violation of federal, state, or local laws.

#### Tools Required

• | J 38826 SIR Deployment Harness

• | J 38826-25 for seat belt pretensioner module adapter

• | J 39401-B SIR Deployment Fixture

• | An appropriate pigtail adaptor

1. Turn OFF the ignition.
2. Remove the ignition key.
3. Put on safety glasses.
4. Remove the seat belt retractor pretensioner from the vehicle. Refer to Seat Belt Retractor Pretensioner Replacement - Front.
5. When carrying a seat belt retractor pretensioner to the deployment area, keep fingers clear of the seat belt webbing.
6. Clear a space on the ground about 1.85 m (6 ft) in diameter (a) for deployment of the seat belt pretensioner. If possible, use a paved, outdoor location free of activity. Otherwise, use a space free of activity on the shop floor. Make sure you have sufficient ventilation.
7. Make sure no loose or flammable objects are in the area.
8. Place the J 39401-B in the center of the cleared area.
9. Fill the fixture plastic reservoir with water or sand.
10. Mount the seat belt pretensioner (1) in the SIR deployment fixture (3) with the open end facing up using the following mounting method.

• | Adjust and secure the J 39401-B arms (4) to the deployment fixture, with the short slotted portions of the arms standing vertically and facing toward the center of the deployment fixture.

• | To mount, use the proper size bolt (2) and nut (5) with washers in order to secure the seat belt pretensioner (1) to the deployment fixture brackets.

• | Securely tighten all fasteners prior to deployment.

11. Inspect the J 38826 and the appropriate pigtail adapter for damage. Replace as needed.
12. Short the 2 SIR deployment harness (1) leads together using 1 banana plug seated into the other.
13. Connect the appropriate pigtail adapter (2) to the SIR deployment harness (1).
14. Extend the SIR deployment harness and adapter to full length from the deployment fixture.
15. Connect the seat belt pretensioner connector to the adapter on the deployment harness.

Important: When deploying a seat belt retractor pretensioner, the rapid expansion of gas is very loud. Notify the people in the immediate area that a seat belt pretensioner will be deployed.

16. Clear the area of people.
17. Separate the 2 banana plugs on the SIR deployment harness.

Important: When the seat belt retractor pretensioner deploys, the deployment fixture may jump about 30 cm (1 ft) vertically. This is a normal reaction of the seat belt pretensioner due to the force of the rapid expansion of gas inside the pretensioner.

18. Place a 12 V minimum/2 A minimum power source, such as a vehicle battery, near the shorted end of the harness.
19. Connect the SIR deployment harness wires to the power source. Seat belt pretensioner deployment will occur when contact is made.
20. Disconnect the SIR deployment harness from the power source after the seat belt retractor pretensioner deploys.
21. Seat one banana plug into the other in order to short the deployment harness leads.
22. If the seat belt retractor pretensioner did not deploy, disconnect the adapter and discontinue the procedure. Contact the Technical Assistance Group. Otherwise, proceed to the following steps.
23. Put on a pair of shop gloves.
24. Disconnect the pigtail adapter from the seat belt retractor pretensioner as soon as possible.
25. Dispose of the deployed seat belt retractor pretensioner through normal refuse channels.
26. Wash hands with a mild soap.