Dodge Nitro. Manual — part 228

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

RESTRAINT SYSTEM

further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the
supplemental restraint system. Failure to take the proper precautions
could result in accidental airbag deployment.

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, before
performing any welding operations disconnect and isolate the battery
negative (ground) cable and disconnect all wire harness connectors from
the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). Failure to take the proper
precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment and other
possible damage to the supplemental restraint system circuits and
components.

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury, do not attempt to dismantle an airbag unit
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). An airbag inflator unit may contain 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. An airbag inflator unit may also contain a gas
canister pressurized to over 17.24 kPa (2500 psi).

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury when handling a seat belt tensioner
retractor, proper care should be exercised to keep fingers out from under
the retractor cover and away from the seat belt webbing where it exits
from the retractor cover.

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury, replace all restraint system components
only with parts specified . Substitute parts may appear interchangeable,
but internal differences may result in inferior occupant protection.

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury, the fasteners, screws, and bolts originally
used for the restraint system components must never be replaced with
any substitutes. These fasteners have special coatings and are
specifically designed for the restraint system. Any time a new fastener is
needed, replace it with the correct fasteners provided in the service
package .

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury when a steering column has an airbag unit
attached, never place the column on the floor or any other surface with
the steering wheel or airbag unit face down.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

The hard wired circuits between modules and components related to the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring
information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures,
details of wire harness routing and retention, connector pin-out information and location views for the various
wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.

However, conventional diagnostic methods will not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the SRS or the
electronic controls or communication between other modules and devices that provide features of the SRS. The
most reliable, efficient, and accurate means to diagnose the SRS or the electronic controls and communication
related to SRS operation, as well as the retrieval or erasure of a DTC requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool.
Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

In addition to a diagnostic scan tool that contains the latest version of the proper diagnostic software, certain
diagnostic procedures for the SRS may require the use of the SRS Load Tool special tool along with the
appropriate Load Tool Jumpers and Adapters or the Occupant Classification System (OCS) Seat Weight special
tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

STANDARD PROCEDURE

VERIFICATION TEST - SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable
the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) before attempting any steering
wheel, steering column, airbag, Occupant Classification System (OCS),
seat belt tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel component
diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground)
cable, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before
performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to
disable the SRS. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in
accidental airbag deployment.

NOTE:

The following procedure should be performed using a diagnostic scan tool to
verify proper Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) operation following the
service or replacement of any SRS component. In addition, if the vehicle is
equipped with the Occupant Classification System (OCS) and one of the
passenger front seat SRS components has been replaced, following successful
completion of the SRS Verification Test procedure, perform the OCS
Verification Test using a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate
diagnostic procedures.

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable
the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) before attempting any steering
wheel, steering column, airbag, Occupant Classification System (OCS),
seat belt tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel component
diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground)
cable, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

Fig. 4: Identifying Instrument Panel & 16-Way Data Link Connector (DLC)
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

1. During the following test, the battery negative cable remains disconnected and isolated, as it was during

the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) component removal and installation procedures.

2. Be certain that the diagnostic scan tool contains the latest version of the proper diagnostic software.

Connect the scan tool to the 16-way Data Link Connector (DLC) (2). The DLC is located on the driver
side lower edge of the instrument panel (1), inboard of the steering column.

3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position and exit the vehicle with the scan tool.

4. Check to be certain that nobody is in the vehicle, then reconnect the battery negative cable.

5. Using the scan tool, read and record the active (current) Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) data.

6. Next, use the scan tool to read and record any stored (historical) DTC data.

7. If any DTC is found in step 5 or 6, refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

8. Use the scan tool to erase the stored DTC data. If any problems remain, the stored DTC data will not

erase. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information to diagnose any stored DTC that will not erase. If
the stored DTC information is successfully erased, go to step 9.

9. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position for about 15 seconds, and then back to the ON position.

Observe the airbag indicator in the instrument cluster. It should light for six to eight seconds, and then go
out. This indicates that the SRS is functioning normally and that the repairs are complete. If the airbag
indicator fails to light, or lights and stays ON, there is still an active SRS fault or malfunction. Refer to
the appropriate diagnostic information to diagnose the problem.

SERVICE AFTER A SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT

Any vehicle which is to be returned to use following a supplemental restraint deployment, must have the
deployed restraints replaced. In addition, if the driver airbag has been deployed, the clockspring and the steering

performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to
disable the SRS. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in
accidental airbag deployment.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

column must be replaced. If the passenger airbag is deployed, the passenger airbag door and both passenger
airbag squib connectors must be replaced. The seat belt tensioners are deployed by the same signal that deploys
either the driver and passenger front airbags or the side curtain airbags and must also be replaced if any airbag
has been deployed.

If a side curtain airbag has been deployed, the complete airbag unit, the headliner, as well as the upper A, B, C
and D-pillar trim must be replaced. These components are not intended for reuse and will be damaged or
weakened as a result of a supplemental restraint deployment, which may or may not be obvious during a visual
inspection. On vehicles with an optional sunroof, the sunroof drain tubes and hoses must be closely inspected
following a side curtain airbag deployment.

It is also critical that the mounting surfaces and mounting brackets for the Occupant Restraint Controller
(ORC), side impact sensors, and front impact sensors be closely inspected and restored to their original
conditions following any vehicle impact damage. Because the ORC and each front and side impact sensor are
used by the supplemental restraint system to monitor or confirm the direction and severity of a vehicle impact,
improper orientation or insecure fastening of these components may cause airbags not to deploy when required,
or to deploy when not required.

All other vehicle components should be closely inspected following any supplemental restraint deployment, but
are to be replaced only as required by the extent of the visible damage incurred.

AIRBAG SQUIB STATUS

Multistage airbags with multiple initiators (squibs) must be checked to determine that all squibs were used
during the deployment event. The driver and passenger airbags in this vehicle are deployed by electrical signals
generated by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) through the driver or passenger squib 1 and squib 2
circuits to the two initiators in the airbag inflators. Typically, both initiators are used and all potentially
hazardous chemicals are burned during an airbag deployment event. However, it is possible for only one
initiator to be used due to an airbag system fault; therefore, it is always necessary to confirm that both initiators
have been used in order to avoid the improper handling or disposal of potentially live pyrotechnic or hazardous
materials. The following procedure should be performed using a diagnostic scan tool to verify the status of both
airbag squibs before either deployed airbag is removed from the vehicle for disposal.

1. Be certain that the diagnostic scan tool contains the latest version of the proper diagnostic software.

Connect the scan tool to the 16-way Data Link Connector (DLC). The DLC is located on the driver side
lower edge of the instrument panel, inboard of the steering column.

2. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.

3. Using the scan tool, read and record the active (current) Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) data.

CAUTION: Deployed front airbags having two initiators (squibs) in the airbag inflator

may or may not have live pyrotechnic material within the inflator. Do not
dispose of these airbags unless you are certain of complete deployment.
Refer to the Hazardous Substance Control System for proper disposal
procedures. Dispose of all non-deployed and deployed airbags and seat
belt tensioners in a manner consistent with state, provincial, local, and
federal regulations.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro