General description and operation of the airbag system (Chevrolet Aveo T200)

Airbags are part of the passive safety system along with seat belts. All people in the car must wear seat belts. As an option, seat belts can be equipped with pretensioners, which are also part of the safety system.

Opening the main cushions (driver and front passenger) occurs in the event of a frontal (±30° from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle) collision, and additional (side airbags, installed as an option) - and in case of side impacts.



Deployment of the driver's airbag in the event of a collision.

The vehicle airbag system consists of the following components:

• driver airbag module;
• passenger airbag module;
• driver side airbag module (optional);
• passenger side airbag module (optional);
• driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners (and load limiter for some models) (option);
• indication and diagnostics unit (IDU);
• clock springs;
• wiring harness and connectors;
• airbag malfunction indicator (AIRBAG) on the instrument cluster;
• side airbag sensor.

Driver airbag module

The driver's airbag module is located under the center pad on the steering wheel. The module contains an igniter and a gas generator designed to (almost instantaneous) filling the folded airbag.

Warning: manipulations with the driver's airbag module create a risk of injury from its unexpected activation. Therefore, the driver's airbag module cannot be disassembled and, if replaced, is disposed of using a special method.

Passenger airbag module

The airbag module is located in the glove compartment lid on the instrument panel opposite the passenger. The airbag module also contains an igniter and a gas generator to inflate the folded airbag.

Side airbag module (optional)

The side airbag modules are located on the sides of the driver and passenger seat backs. The side airbag module has an igniter and a gas generator to inflate the folded airbag.

Front seat belt pretensioners (optional)

Seat belt pretensioners (with load limiter for some models) are installed with the seat belt tensioner of each seat and are designed to instantly tension the seat belt webbing at the moment of a frontal collision. Seat belt pretensioners are controlled by the indicator and diagnostic unit (IDU). The seat belt pretensioner has an igniter and a gas generator for tensioning the seat belt.

Warning: Manipulating the seat belt pretensioner creates a risk of injury from unexpected activation. The seat belt pretensioner must be replaced after an accident that caused it to activate.

Indication and diagnostic unit (IDU)

Warning: When servicing, be careful when handling the BID. Avoid impacts and do not shake the BID. Do not connect the power supply if the unit is not securely fastened to the vehicle. All bolts must be tightened to the recommended torque and the arrow on the unit must point forward (in the direction of the car). A powered but poorly secured BID may become dislodged, causing the airbag to deploy unexpectedly, possibly resulting in injury.

The unit is located on the bottom under the floor console unit. The BID performs the following functions:

• monitors the electrical components of the optional inflatable safety system and sets a diagnostic fault code when a problem is detected;
• records any faults found;
• when a scanner is connected, displays diagnostic trouble codes and system status information;
• turns on the airbag indicator to warn the driver of any malfunction, provides additional power to deploy the airbag if the original power source is damaged in a crash;
• monitors and analyzes changes in vehicle speed (acceleration) and issues a command to activate the airbags;
• ensures that airbags and seat belt pretensioners are deployed in the event of a severe frontal impact.

The unit is not repairable and must be replaced after the system has been triggered. If water has entered the car's interior, for example, due to driving through water bodies, in the event of a flood, or for any other reason, the BID and its connector must also be replaced.



The airbag malfunction indicator is located on the instrument cluster.



When the ignition is turned on, the indicator flashes seven times and goes out. This indicates that the BID is performing a test, briefly connecting the indicator control lamp circuit to the "ground". If the indicator goes out after this, then no faults have been detected and the system is functioning normally.

If the indicator remains lit, this indicates a fault in the internal or external circuit that may affect the operation of the security system.

Warning: If a system malfunction is detected, immediately contact a certified service station to diagnose and eliminate the malfunction. Further operation of the vehicle with this malfunction is unacceptable, as this may lead to the airbags deploying at any time and not deploying when necessary.

[The article is reprinted from the website ChevyMan]