Dodge Nitro. Manual — part 238

The impact sensors cannot be repaired or adjusted and, if damaged or ineffective, they must be replaced.

OPERATION

SIDE IMPACT SENSOR

The side impact sensors are electronic accelerometers that sense the rate of vehicle deceleration, which provides
verification of the direction and severity of an impact. Each sensor also contains an electronic communication
chip that allows the unit to communicate the sensor status as well as sensor fault information to the
microprocessor in the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC).

The ORC microprocessor continuously monitors all of the side passive restraint system electrical circuits to
determine the system readiness. If the ORC detects a monitored system fault, it sets a Diagnostic Trouble Code
(DTC) and controls the airbag indicator operation accordingly. The impact sensors each receive battery current
and ground through the same left or right sensor plus and minus circuits in a series arrangement from the ORC.
The impact sensors and the ORC communicate by modulating the voltage in the sensor plus circuit.

The hard wired circuits between the side impact sensors and the ORC may be diagnosed using conventional
diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. However, conventional diagnostic
methods will not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the impact sensors or the electronic controls or
communication between other modules and devices that provide features of the supplemental restraint system.
The most reliable, efficient, and accurate means to diagnose the impact sensors or the electronic controls and
communication related to side impact sensor operation requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the
appropriate diagnostic information.

FRONT IMPACT SENSOR

The front impact sensors are electronic accelerometers that sense the rate of vehicle deceleration, which
provides verification of the direction and severity of an impact. Each sensor also contains an electronic
communication chip that allows the unit to communicate the sensor status as well as sensor fault information to
the microprocessor in the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC).

The ORC microprocessor continuously monitors all of the passive restraint system electrical circuits to
determine the system readiness. If the ORC detects a monitored system fault, it sets a Diagnostic Trouble Code
(DTC) and controls the airbag indicator operation accordingly. The impact sensors each receive battery current
and ground through dedicated left and right sensor plus and minus circuits from the ORC. The impact sensors
and the ORC communicate by modulating the voltage in the sensor plus circuit.

The hard wired circuits between the front impact sensors and the ORC may be diagnosed using conventional
diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. However, conventional diagnostic
methods will not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the impact sensors or the electronic controls or
communication between other modules and devices that provide features of the supplemental restraint system.
The most reliable, efficient, and accurate means to diagnose the impact sensors or the electronic controls and
communication related to front impact sensor operation requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the
appropriate diagnostic information.

REMOVAL

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

SIDE IMPACT SENSOR - B-PILLAR

Fig. 40: Identifying B-Pillar, Nut, Side Impact Sensor & Body Wire Harness Connector
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

1. Adjust the driver or passenger side front seat to its most forward position for easiest access to the B-pillar

trim.

2. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge

before further service.

3. Remove the trim from the inside of the lower right or left B-pillar (1). Refer to REMOVAL .

4. Remove the nut (2) that secures the side impact sensor (3) to the weld stud on the lower B-pillar.

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.

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury, never strike or drop the side impact
sensor, as it can damage the impact sensor or affect its calibration. The
side impact sensor enables the system to deploy the side Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) components. If an impact sensor is accidentally
dropped during service, the sensor must be scrapped and replaced with a
new unit. Failure to observe this warning could result in accidental,
incomplete, or improper side SRS component deployment.

NOTE:

The front and side impact sensors are interchangeable.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

5. Remove the sensor from the weld stud on the inner B-pillar.

6. Disconnect the body wire harness connector (4) from the sensor connector receptacle.

SIDE IMPACT SENSOR - C-PILLAR

Fig. 41: Identifying Nut, Side Impact Sensor, Body Wire Harness Connector & C-Pillar
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge

before further service.

2. Remove the lower trim from the inside of the lower right or left C-pillar (4). Refer to REMOVAL .

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.

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury, never strike or drop the side impact
sensor, as it can damage the impact sensor or affect its calibration. The
side impact sensor enables the system to deploy the side Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) components. If an impact sensor is accidentally
dropped during service, the sensor must be scrapped and replaced with a
new unit. Failure to observe this warning could result in accidental,
incomplete, or improper side SRS component deployment.

NOTE:

The front and side impact sensors are interchangeable.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

3. Remove the nut (1) that secures the side impact sensor (2) to the weld stud on the lower C-pillar.

4. Remove the sensor from the weld stud on the inner C-pillar.

5. Disconnect the body wire harness connector (3) for the side impact sensor from the sensor connector

receptacle.

FRONT IMPACT SENSOR

Fig. 42: Identifying Front Lamp Unit Park/Turn Signal Bulb Socket, Body Wire Harness, Nut, Jumper
Wire Harness & Impact Sensor
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

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.

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury, never strike or drop the front impact
sensor, as it can damage the impact sensor or affect its calibration. The
front impact sensor enables the system to deploy the front Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) components. If an impact sensor is accidentally
dropped during service, the sensor must be scrapped and replaced with a
new unit. Failure to observe this warning could result in accidental,
incomplete, or improper front SRS component deployment.

NOTE:

The front and side impact sensors are interchangeable.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro