sensor SUBARU TRIBECA 2009 1.G Service Workshop Manual
Page 1 of 2453
AB-2
General Description
AIRBAG SYSTEM
1. General Description
A: COMPONENT
1. DRIVER’S AIRBAG MODULE
Tightening torque:
10 N·m (1.0 kgf-m, 7.2 ft-lb)
2. PASSENGER’S AIRBAG MODULE
Tightening torque:
7.4 N·m (0.75 kgf-m, 5.5 ft-lb)
3. SIDE AIRBAG MODULE
Tightening torque:
6 N·m (0.61 kgf-m, 4.4 ft-lb)
4. AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE
Tightening torque:
25 N·m (2.5 kgf-m, 18.1 ft-lb)
CAUTION:
Do not reuse mounting bolts and nuts.
5. FRONT SUB SENSOR
Tightening torque:
13 N·m (1.32 kgf-m, 9.6 ft-lb)
CAUTION:
Do not reuse mounting bolts and nuts.
AB-01269
TT
AB-01270
T
AB-00754
T
(A) Bolt
(A) Bolt
AB-01271
T
(A)
AB-01272
T
T
(A)
(A) 
Page 2 of 2453
AB-3
General Description
AIRBAG SYSTEM
6. SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR
Tightening torque:
8 N·m (0.82 kgf-m, 5.9 ft-lb)
CAUTION:
Do not reuse mounting bolts and nuts.
7. CURTAIN AIRBAG SENSOR
Tightening torque:
8 N·m (0.82 kgf-m, 5.9 ft-lb)
CAUTION:
Do not reuse mounting bolts and nuts.
8. STEERING ROLL CONNECTOR
9. AIRBAG HARNESS(A) Bolt
(A) Nut
AB-01190
T
(A)
AB-01191
(A)
(1) Airbag main harness
(2) Airbag rear harness RH
(3) Airbag rear harness LH
AB-01273
AB-01275
(1)
(3)
(2) 
Page 3 of 2453
AB-4
General Description
AIRBAG SYSTEM
10.CURTAIN AIRBAG MODULE
Tightening torque:
7.5 N·m (0.77 kgf-m, 5.5 ft-lb)
B: CAUTION
•When servicing a vehicle, be sure to turn the ig-
nition  switch  to  OFF,  disconnect  the  ground  cable
from  battery,  and  wait  for  more  than  20  seconds
before starting work.
•The airbag system is fitted with a backup power
source. After disconnecting the battery ground ca-
ble,  the  airbag  may  deploy  if  you  do  not  wait  for
more than 20 seconds before starting the service of
airbag system.
•If the airbag warning light illuminates, repair the
vehicle immediately. Otherwise, the airbag or pre-
tensioner  may  inflate  incorrectly,  or  not  inflate  in
collision.
•If sensors, airbag module, airbag control module,
pretensioner  or  harness  is  deformed  or  damaged,
replace with new part.
•When checking the airbag system, be sure to
use a digital circuit tester. Use of an analog circuit
tester may cause the airbag to activate erroneously
due to a minimal current inside tester.
(F) Front side (1) Bolt
AB-01274
(1)(1)
(1)
(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)
(1)
(1)
(F)
IN-00203
AB-00120
AB-00121 
Page 4 of 2453
AB-5
General Description
AIRBAG SYSTEM
•When checking, use a test harness (1). Damage
to connector terminal cause malfunction. Do not di-
rectly apply the tester probe to connector terminal
of airbag.
•Do not allow water or oil to come in contact with
the connector terminals. Also do not touch the con-
nector terminals.
•Do not check continuity of the airbag modules for
driver’s  side,  passenger’s  side  and  curtain,  or  the
pretensioner.
•If damage, open circuit or rust is found on airbag
system wire harness, do not use a soldering equip-
ment  to  repair.  Replace  the  faulty  harness  with  a
new genuine part.
•Install the wire harness securely with the speci-
fied clips to avoid interference or tangled with other
parts.
•When painting or performing sheet metal work
on  the  front  part  of  the  vehicle,  including  the  front
wheel apron, front fender and front side frame, re-
move the front sub sensors and wire harness of air-
bag system.
•When painting or performing sheet metal work
on  the  side  of  the  vehicle,  including  the  side  sill,
center  pillar  and  front  and  rear  doors,  remove  the
side airbag sensors and wire harness of the airbag
system.
•Do not use the airbag or pretensioner parts from
other  vehicles.  Always  replace  the  defective  parts
with new parts.
•Never reuse a deployed airbag module and pre-
tensioner.
AB-00122
(1)
AB-00126
AB-00006
AB-00124
AB-00125
AB-00129 
Page 5 of 2453
AB-6
General Description
AIRBAG SYSTEM
•Do not discard the uninflated airbag or preten-
sioner.
•When airbag control module, front sub sensor,
side  airbag  sensor  and  curtain  airbag  sensor  are
removed, do not reuse the bolts and nuts of them.
Always use new bolts and nuts for them.
•Do not drop each airbag module, airbag control
module and each sensor, or store these parts un-
der high temperature over 93°C (199°F), or let wa-
ter, oil or grease get on them; the internal parts may
be  damaged  or  the  reliability  may  be  greatly  low-
ered.
•After removal of each parts for airbag system,
keep  them  with  the  pad  facing  upward  on  a  dry,
clean  and  flat  surface  without  heat,  light  sources,
moisture and dust.
•The airbag modules for driver’s, passenger’s,
side or curtain, or the pretensioner must not be dis-
assembled.
•When performing attachment of the steering
wheel  and  steering  roll  connector,  make  sure  to
perform adjustment of the steering roll connector.
•The removed front seat with airbag module must
be kept at least 200 mm (8 in) away from walls and
other objects.
AB-00123
AB-00056
(1) 200 mm (8 in) or more
AB-00779
AB-00128
(1) 
Page 10 of 2453
AB-11
Airbag Connector
AIRBAG SYSTEM
5. FRONT SUB SENSOR, SIDE AIRBAG 
SENSOR, CURTAIN AIRBAG SENSOR AND 
SEAT POSITION SENSOR
1) How to disconnect:
Holding outer part (A), pull it in the direction of ar-
row.
CAUTION:
When pulling the slide lock or disconnecting 
connector, be sure to hold the connector, not 
the harness.
2) How to connect:
Holding  the  connector,  push  it  in  securely  until  a
clicking sound is heard.
CAUTION:
•Outer side (A) move back, and so do not put
your hand on the outer part.
•Be sure to insert the connector in until it is
locked. Then pull it gently to make sure that it is
locked.
6. PASSENGER DETECTION SYSTEM (BE-
TWEEN AIR BAG REAR HARNESS AND 
SEAT HARNESS) AND BELT TENSION 
SENSOR
1) How to disconnect:
Push lock arm (A), then disconnect the connector.
CAUTION:
When pulling the slide lock or disconnecting 
connector, be sure to hold the connector, not 
the harness.
2) How to connect:
Holding  the  connector,  push  it  in  securely  until  a
clicking sound is heard.
CAUTION:
Be sure to insert the connector in until it is 
locked. Then pull it gently to make sure that it is 
locked.
AB-00024
AB-00025 
Page 11 of 2453
AB-12
Inspection Locations After a Collision
AIRBAG SYSTEM
3. Inspection Locations After a 
Collision
A: REPLACEMENT
Replace the following parts when the airbag is de-
ployed.
1. FRONT COLLISION
1) Driver’s airbag module
2) Passenger’s airbag module
3) Driver’s seat belt (Pretensioner)
4) Passenger’s seat belt (Pretensioner)
5) Airbag control module
6) Front sub sensor (L/R)
7) Roll connector
8) Instrument  panel  (for  integrating  with  passen-
ger’s airbag module)
9) Passenger side seat cushion pad and frame as-
sembly
2. SIDE COLLISION
1) Airbag control module
2) Side  airbag  module  (operating  side  seat  back-
rest)
3) Side airbag sensor (operating side)
4) Curtain airbag module (operating side)
5) Curtain airbag sensor (operating side)
3. INSPECTION OF OTHER PARTS
Check for the following parts, and replace the dam-
aged parts with new parts.
1) Steering wheel and steering shaft
Check  the  steering  shaft  for  mounting  conditions
and deflection of front and rear, upward and down-
ward directions, and deflection of front and rear di-
rection  with  tilt  lever  released.  (After  a  collision,
there  is  a  good  chance  that  the  shock  absorbing
part of steering shaft may have operated.)
2) Check the connectors of airbag module, preten-
sioner, etc. for damage, and also check each har-
ness for pinch and connector damage. Replace the
harness as a unit if damage is found.
3) Check the seat cushion frame, backrest, seat rail
and headrest for deformation, distortion, crack, and
installing condition and play.
4) For  passengers  seat,  replace  the  seat  cushion
frame  assembly  with  new  one  if  the  seat  cushion
frame is deformed or cracked. 
5) If there are tears  or loosening in the passenger
side  seat  cushion  cover,  it  may  interfere  with  the
proper  operation  of  the  passenger  detection  sys-
tem. Replace with a new cushion cover.
6) Be sure to perform the system calibration for the
occupant  detection  system  after  removing  or  re-
placing the  passenger seat cushion cover.  Failure
to do so may cause improper operation of the pas-
senger  detection  system.  <Ref.  to  OD(diag)-18,
SYSTEM CALIBRATION (REZEROING), OPERA-
TION, Subaru Select Monitor.>
7) Use the Subaru Select Monitor to check whether
the drivers seat position sensor and the drivers and
the front left/right seat belt buckle switches are op-
erating normally.
B: INSPECTION
If the vehicle is involved in a collision, even if it is a
slight collision, be sure to check the following sys-
tems.
1. DRIVER’S AIRBAG MODULE
1) Check  for  the  following,  and  replace  the  dam-
aged parts with new parts.
•Airbag module is cracked or deformed.
•Harness and/or connector is cracked, deformed
or open. Harness wire is exposed.
•The module surface is fouled with grease, oil,
water or cleaning solvent.
2) When  installing  a  new  driver’s  airbag  module,
check  for  the  following,  and  replace  the  damaged
parts with new parts.
•The steering wheel is in the way, making it diffi-
cult to install the airbag module.
•The clearance between the driver’s airbag mod-
ule and steering wheel is not constant.
•When steering wheel deformation in axial and
vertical directions exceed limits.
Specification:
Axial deflection A
Less than 6 mm (0.24 in)
Vertical deflection L
Less than 7 mm (0.28 in)
AB-00028
L 
A 
Page 12 of 2453
AB-13
Inspection Locations After a Collision
AIRBAG SYSTEM
2. PASSENGER’S AIRBAG MODULE
Check for the following, and replace the damaged
parts with new parts.
•Airbag module and instrument panel are cracked
or deformed.
•Harness and/or connector is cracked, deformed
or open. Harness wire is exposed.
•Mounting bracket is cracked or deformed.
3. SIDE AIRBAG MODULE
Check for the following, and replace the damaged
parts with new parts.
•Front seat, airbag module and mounting bracket
are damaged or deformed.
•Harness and/or connector is cracked, deformed
or open. Harness wire is exposed.
4. CURTAIN AIRBAG MODULE
Check for the following, and replace the damaged
parts with new parts.
•Airbag cover is scratched or broken.
•Harness and/or connector is cracked, deformed
or open. Harness wire is exposed.
•Mounting bracket and securing clip are cracked
or deformed.
5. AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE
Check for the following, and replace the damaged
parts with new parts.
•Control module is cracked or deformed.
•Mounting bracket is cracked or deformed.
•Connector is scratched, cracked or deformed.
•Airbag is deployed.
•Side airbag is deployed.
•Curtain airbag is deployed.
6. FRONT SUB SENSOR
If  the  section  of  vehicle  as  shown  in  the  figure  is
damaged,  check  the  following  items  and  replace
the damaged parts with new parts.
•Front sub sensor is cracked or deformed.
•Mounting bracket is cracked or deformed.
•Connector is scratched, cracked or deformed.
•Airbag is deployed.
7. SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR AND CURTAIN 
AIRBAG SENSOR
If  the  section  of  vehicle  as  shown  in  the  figure  is
damaged,  check  the  following  items  and  replace
the damaged parts with new parts.
•Side airbag sensor and curtain airbag sensor are
cracked or deformed.
•Mounting bracket is cracked or deformed.
•Connector is scratched, cracked or deformed.
•Side airbag or curtain airbag is deployed. (oper-
ating side)
8. ROLL CONNECTOR
Check for the following, and replace the damaged
parts with new parts.
•Combination switch or steering roll connector is
cracked or deformed.
9. STEERING SHAFT
Check for the following, and replace the damaged
parts with new parts.
•Overall length of steering column should be with-
in specification.
Specification:
Overall length L
917.5+1.3 –0.3 mm (36.12 +0.051 –0.012 in)
AB-00029
AB-00030
PS-00734
L 
Page 13 of 2453
AB-14
Inspection Locations After a Collision
AIRBAG SYSTEM
10.DRIVER’S SEAT
Check for the following, and replace the damaged
parts with new parts.
•Seat belt buckle or seat position sensor body/
bracket is cracked or deformed.
•Harness and/or connector is cracked, deformed
or open. Harness wire is exposed.
11.PASSENGER’S SEAT
1) Check  for  the  following,  and  replace  the  dam-
aged parts with new parts.
•Seat belt buckle body/bracket is scratched,
cracked or deformed.
•Backrest frame for crack or deformation
•Headrest for deformation or play
•If the seat cushion cover and seat back cover is
scratched or coming loose, replace with a new cov-
er and  readjust  the  system.  <Ref.  to  OD(diag)-18,
SYSTEM CALIBRATION (REZEROING), OPERA-
TION, Subaru Select Monitor.>
CAUTION:
If any of the following applies, replace the seat 
cushion pad and frame assembly. Do not disas-
semble.
•Cracks or deformation found in the seat
cushion frame or seat cushion pad.
•Scratches, cracks, or deformation found on
the passenger detection system pressure sen-
sor hoses or passenger detection control mod-
ule,  or  attachment  brackets  of  the  control
module. 
•Harness and/or connector is cracked, de-
formed or open. Harness wire is exposed.
2) After checking the installing condition of passen-
ger’s seat, perform the system calibration of occu-
pant  detection  system.  <Ref.  to  OD(diag)-18,
SYSTEM CALIBRATION (REZEROING), OPERA-
TION, Subaru Select Monitor.>
12.BELT TENSION SENSOR
Check for the following, and replace the damaged
parts with new parts.
•Belt tension sensor is scratched, cracked, or de-
formed.
•Harness and/or connector is cracked, deformed
or open. Harness wire is exposed. 
Page 21 of 2453
AB-22
Side Airbag Sensor
AIRBAG SYSTEM
9. Side Airbag Sensor
A: REMOVAL
1) Turn the ignition switch to OFF.
2) Disconnect  the  ground  cable  from  battery  and
wait for at least 20 seconds before starting work.
3) Remove the center pillar lower trim. <Ref. to EI-
44,  CENTER  PILLAR  LOWER  TRIM,  REMOVAL,
Side Trim.>
4) Remove the seat belt retractor of the front outer
seat belt. <Ref. to SB-10, OUTER SEAT BELT AS-
SEMBLY, REMOVAL, Front Seat Belt.>
5) Remove the nut and disconnect the airbag con-
nector to remove side airbag sensor.
B: INSTALLATION
CAUTION:
•Do not reuse the bolt and nut.
•Always use new bolts and nuts for them.
Install in the reverse order of removal.
Tightening torque:
8 N·m (0.82 kgf-m, 5.9 ft-lb)
C: INSPECTION
Check for the following, and replace the damaged
parts with new parts.
•Mounting bracket or connector of side airbag
sensor is damaged.
•Side airbag is deployed.
AB-00634