airbag TOYOTA CAMRY 2000 Service Owner's Manual

CAMRY ± NEW FEATURES19
4. Construction and Operation
Side Airbag Sensor Assembly
1) Description
The side airbag sensor assembly is mounted on the right and left center pillars. It receives signals from
the side airbag sensor enclosed in the side airbag sensor assembly and judges whether the side airbag must
be activated or not.
2) Construction and Operation
The side airbag sensor assembly consists of side airbag sensor, safing sensor, etc.
a. Side Airbag Sensor
The side airbag sensor is enclosed in the side airbag sensor assembly based on the acceleration of the
vehicle that occurs during a side collision. The distortion created in the sensor is converted into an elec-
tric signal. This signal is a linear representation of the acceleration rate.
b. Safing Sensor
The safing sensor is enclosed in the side airbag sensor assembly. The sensor turns ON if an acceleration
force that is higher than a predetermined value is applied to the safing sensor as a result of a side colli-
sion.
Airbag Sensor Assembly
1) Description
The airbag sensor assembly is mounted on the center floor under the instrument panel.
When the airbag sensor assembly receives the airbag activation signal from the side airbag sensor assem-
bly, it applies current to the inflator.
Furthermore, the airbag sensor assembly diagnoses a system malfunction of the side airbag system.
This is the same airbag sensor assembly that is used for the
SRS airbag for the driver and front passenger.
2) Construction and Operation
The airbag sensor assembly consists of ignition control circuit, back up power source, diagnosis circuit,
memory circuit, etc.
a. Ignition Control Circuit
The ignition control circuit performs a prescribed calculation based on the signal output by the airbag
sensor and the front airbag sensor. If these calculated values are larger than a predetermined value, it
activates the ignition operation.
b. Back-Up Power Source
The back-up power source consists of a back-up capacitor and a DC-DC converter. In case of a power
system failure during a collision, the back-up capacitor discharges and supplies electric power to the
system. The DC-DC converter is a boosting transformer when the battery voltage drops below a certain
level.
c. Diagnosis Circuit
This circuit constantly diagnoses the system for any malfunction. When a malfunction is detected, it
lights up the
SRS warning light on the combination meter to alert the driver.
d. Memory Circuit
When a malfunction is detected by the diagnosis circuit, it is coded and stored in this memory circuit.

CAMRY ± NEW FEATURES
150NF122
Pressure BulkheadPropellant Grain
Gas
Initiator
CAUTION
The initiator is ignited even by a feeble current. As it is dangerous, never measure the resistance of the
initiator with a volt / ohmmeter, etc.
150NF123
Pressure Bulkhead
Propellant GrainInitiator
Gas
: Propagation of Fire
: Flow of Gas
20
Inflator and Bag
1) Construction
The inflator and bag are integrated inside the case and located in the outer side of the seat back. The infla-
tor is comprised of a initiator, propellant grain, gas and pressure bulkhead.
The bag is made of strong nylon cloth and becomes inflated by the gas heated by the inflator.
2) Operation
When the side airbag sensor detects the acceleration because of a side collision, the ECU appraises the
extent of the acceleration to determine whether or not the side airbag must be deployed.
After the ECU determines that the side airbag must be delpoyed, it causes the initiator to ignite in order
to head and expand the gas inside the inflator. The expanded gas tears thhe pressure bulkhead and flows
into the bag.
The bag, which is inflated by the gas, pushes open the case in the seat, tears the sewn portion of the seat
outer cover, and expands to the side of the occupant.
The expanded bag receives the occupant's arm and chest, and discharges the gas through the bag's surface
in order to soften the rcoil.
Thus, the side airbag helps to reduce the impact energy that is applied to the occupant's arm and chest
areas.

CAMRY ± NEW FEATURES
150NF113
SRS Warning Light
150NF114
Range of Operation
Safing
Sensor ON
Side Airbag
Sensor ON
ANDIgnition
21
SRS Warning Light
The
SRS warning light is located on the
combination meter.
It comes on to alert the driver about system
trouble when a malfunction is detected in
self-diagnosis of the airbag sensor assembly and
side airbag sensor assembly. In normal operating
conditions when the ignition switch is turned to
the ACC or ON position, the light comes on for
about 6 seconds and then goes off.
5. System Operation
Ignition Judgement and Conditions
The safing sensor is designed to be activated by a smaller acceleration rate than the side airbag sensor.
As illustrated below, ignition is caused when current flows to the initiator, which happens when a safing
sensor and the side airbag sensor go on simultaneously.

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Indicator symbols on the instrument panel
Brake system warning light*
1
Seat belt reminder light*
1
Discharge warning light*
1
Malfunction indicator lamp*
1
Low oil pressure warning light*
1
Anti-lock brake system warning light*
1
(type A)
(type B)
Open door warning light*
1
Rear light failure warning light*
1
(type A)
(type B)
SRS airbag warning light*
1
Low windshield washer fluid level warning light*
1

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Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLSÐ
Chapter 1±3
Seats, Seat belts,
Steering wheel and
Mirrors

Seats

Front seats

Fold±down rear seat

Head restraints

Seat belts

SRS driver and front passenger
airbags

SRS side airbags

Child restraint

Tilt steering wheel

Outside rear view mirrors
Anti±glare inside rear view
mirror

Sun visors
Seats
While the vehicle is being driven, all ve-
hicle occupants should have the seatback
upright, sit well back in the seat and prop-
erly wear the seat belts provided.
CAUTION

Do not drive the vehicle unless the
occupants are properly seated. Do
not allow sitting on top of a
folded±down seatback, or in the
luggage compartment. Persons not
properly seated and not properly re-
strained by seat belts can be se-
verely injured in the event of emer-
gency braking or a collision.

During driving, do not allow pas-
sengers to stand up or move
around between seats. Severe inju-
ries can occur in the event of emer-
gency braking or a collision.

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CAUTION
The SRS side airbags are installed in
the driver and front passenger seats.
Observe the following precautions.

Do not lean against the front door
when the vehicle is in use. The side
airbag inflates with considerable
speed and force; you may be killed
or seriously injured.

Do not modify or replace the seats
or surface of the front seats with
the side airbags. Such changes may
disable the system or cause the
side airbags to inflate, resulting in
death or serious injury. Consult
your Toyota dealer.

Do not use accessories for the
seats which cover the parts where
the side airbags should inflate.
Such accessories may prevent the
side airbags from activating correct-
ly, causing death or serious injury.
Adjust the driver's seat so that the foot
pedals, steering wheel and instrument
panel controls are within easy reach of
the driver.
CAUTION

Adjustments should not be made
while the vehicle is moving, as the
seat may unexpectedly move and
cause the driver to lose control of
the vehicle.

When adjusting the seat, be careful
not to hit the seat against a pas-
senger or luggage.

After adjusting the seat position,
try sliding it forward and backward
to make sure it is locked in posi-
tion.

After adjusting the seatback, exert
body pressure to make sure it is
locked in position.

Do not put objects under the seats.
The objects may interfere with the
seat±lock mechanism or unexpect-
edly push up the seat position ad-
justing lever; the seat may suddenly
move, causing the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.

While adjusting the seat, do not put
your hands under the seat or near
the moving parts. You may catch
and injure your hands or fingers.
Front seatsÐ
ÐFront seat precautions
(with SRS side airbags)ÐSeat adjustment
precautions

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Head restraints
Front
Rear
For your safety and comfort, adjust the
head restraint before driving.
To raise: Pull it up.
To lower: Push it down while pressing the
lock release button.
On some models, you can also move the
head restraint forward or backward. If
such adjustment is desired, pull or push
on the top of the head restraint.
The head restraint is most effective when
it is close to your head. Therefore, using
a cushion on the seatback is not recom-
mended.
CAUTION

Adjust the center of the head re-
straint so that it is closest to the
top of your ears.

After adjusting the head restraint,
make sure it is locked in position.

Do not drive with the head re-
straints removed.
Toyota strongly urges that the driver and
passengers in the vehicle be properly re-
strained at all times with the seat belts
provided. Failure to do so could increase
the chance of injury and/or the severity of
injury in accidents.
Child. Use a child restraint system ap-
propriate for the child until the child be-
comes large enough to properly wear the
vehicle's seat belts. See ºChild restraintº
for details.
If a child is too large for a child restraint
system, the child should sit in the rear
seat and must be restrained using the
vehicle's seat belt. According to accident
statistics, the child is safer when properly
restrained in the rear seat than in the
front seat.
If a child must sit in the front seat, the
seat belts should be worn properly. If an
accident occurs and the seat belts are not
worn properly, the force of the rapid infla-
tion of the airbag may cause death or
serious injury to the child.
Seat beltsÐ
ÐSeat belt precautions

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To connect the extender to the seat
belt, insert the tab into the seat belt
buckle so that the ºPRESSº signs on
the buckle±release buttons of the ex-
tender and the seat belt are both facing
outward as shown.
You will hear a click when the tab locks
into the buckle.
When releasing the seat belt, press on
the buckle±release button on the extender,
not on the seat belt. This helps prevent
damage to the vehicle interior and extend-
er itself.
When not in use, remove the extender
and store in the vehicle for future use.
CAUTION

After inserting the tab, make sure
the tab and buckle are locked and
that the seat belt extender is not
twisted.

Do not insert coins, clips, etc. in
the buckle as this may prevent you
from properly latching the tab and
buckle.

If the seat belt does not function
normally, immediately contact your
Toyota dealer. Do not use the seat
until the seat belt is fixed. It cannot
protect an adult occupant or your
child from injury.
ÐFront seat belt pretensioners
The driver and front passenger 's seat
belt pretensioners are designed to be
activated in response to a severe fron-
tal impact.
When the airbag sensor detects the shock
of a severe frontal impact, the front seat
belt is quickly drawn back in by the re-
tractor so that the belt snugly restrains
the front seat occupants.
The seat belt pretensioners are activated
even with no passenger in the front seat.

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This indicator comes on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the ºACCº or
ºONº position. It goes off after about
6 seconds. This means the front seat
belt pretensioners are operating proper-
ly.
This warning light system monitors the
front airbag sensors, airbag sensor as-
sembly, seat belt pretensioner assembly,
warning light, interconnecting wiring and
power sources. (For details, see ºService
reminder indicators and warning buzzersº
in Chapter 1±5.)The seat belt pretensioner system mainly
consists of the following components and
their locations are shown in the illustra-
tion.
1. Front airbag sensors
2. SRS airbag warning light
3. Seat belt pretensioner assemblies
4. Airbag sensor assembly
The seat belt pretensioner is controlled by
the airbag sensor assembly. The airbag
sensor assembly consists of a safing sen-
sor and airbag sensor.When a seat belt pretensioner is acti-
vated, an operating noise may be heard
and a small amount of smoke±like gas
may be released. This gas is harmless
and does not indicate that a fire is occur-
ring.
Once the seat belt pretensioner has been
activated, the seat belt retractor remains
locked.
CAUTION
Do not modify, remove, strike or open
the front seat belt pretensioner as-
semblies, airbag sensor or surround-
ing area or wiring. Doing any of
these may cause sudden operation of
the front seat belt pretensioners or
disable the system, which could re-
sult in serious injury.
Failure to follow these instructions
can result in serious injuries.

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NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following
changes without consulting your
Toyota dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the
seat belt pretensioners in some
cases.
Installation of electronic items such
as a mobile two±way radio, cassette
tape player or compact disc player
Repairs on or near the front seat
belt retractor assemblies
Modification of the suspension sys-
tem
Modification of the front end struc-
ture
Attachment of a grille guard (bull
bar, kangaroo bar, etc.), snowplow,
winches or any other equipment to
the front end
Repairs made on or near the front
fenders, front end structure or con-
sole
This front seat belt pretensioner system
has a service reminder indicator to inform
the driver of operating problems. If either
of the following conditions occurs, this
indicates a malfunction of the airbags or
pretensioners. Contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible to service the
vehicle.

The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ºACCº or
ºONº position, or remains on.

The light comes on or flashes while
driving.

If either front seat belt does not retract
or can not be pulled out due to a
malfunction or activation of the preten-
sioner.

The front seat belt pretensioner assem-
bly or surrounding area has been dam-
aged.

The front and side parts of the vehicle
(shaded in the illustration) were in-
volved in an accident that did not
cause the seat belt pretensioners to
operate.

The front seat belt pretensioner assem-
bly is scratched, cracked, or otherwise
damaged.