Chevrolet Sonic Repair Manual: Repairs and Inspections Required After a Collision

Accident With or Without Air Bag Deployment ?€“ Component Inspections

Warning:

Proper operation of the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) sensing system requires that any repairs to the vehicle structure return the vehicle structure to the original production configuration. Not properly repairing the vehicle structure could cause non-deployment of the air bag(s) in a frontal collision or deployment of the air bag(s) for conditions less severe than intended.

After any collision, inspect the following components as indicated. If you detect any damage, replace the component. If you detect any damage to the mounting points or mounting hardware, repair the component or replace the hardware as needed.

• The steering column?€”Inspect the steering column for bending, twisting, buckling or any type of damage.
• The instrument panel knee bolsters and mounting points?€”Inspect the knee bolsters for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage.
• The instrument panel brackets, braces, etc.?€”Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage.
• The seat belts?€”Perform the seat belt operational and functional checks. Refer to Repairs and Inspections Required After a Collision.
• The instrument panel cross car beam?€”Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage.
• The instrument panel mounting points and brackets?€”Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage.
• The seats and seat mounting points?€”Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage.
• The roof and headliner mounting points.
• The brake pedal --Inspect the brake pedal for bending, twisting, buckling or any type of damage.

Accident With Frontal Air Bag Deployment ?€“ Component Replacement and Inspections

After a collision involving air bag deployment, replace the following components.

• Driver Steering Wheel Air Bag
• Passenger instrument panel air bag, if deployed
• Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM), if the Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module has set DTC?€‰B0052 and will not clear
• Front and/or Side Impact Sensors
• Driver/Passenger Seat Side Air Bag, if deployed
• Seat back cover if Side Seat Air Bag is deployed
• Driver/Passenger Seat Belt Anchor and/or Retractor Pretensioners

Perform additional inspections on the following components.

• Steering wheel air bag coil and the coil wiring pigtail?€”Inspect for melting, scorching, or other damage due to excessive heat.
• Mounting points or mounting hardware for the passenger instrument panel air bag, steering wheel air bag, Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module, seat side air bag (if deployed) and seat belt anchor and/or retractor pretensioners?€”Inspect for any damage and repair or replace each component as needed.

Accident With Side Seat Air Bag Deployment ?€“ Component Replacement and Inspections

After a collision involving driver/passenger side seat air bag deployment, replace the following components.

• Left/right side impact sensors on the side of the impact.
• Left/right roof rail air bag on the side of the impact.
• Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM), if the Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module has set DTC?€‰B0052 and will not clear.
• Inflatable Restraint Seat Belt Anchor and/or Retractor Pretensioner.
• Driver or passenger seat back cushion cover replacement.

Warning:

Do not repair or replace the seat stitching or seams in the seat back trim cover with an internal mounted seat side airbag module. Replace the complete seat back trim cover from the OEM. Non-OEM seat stitching may cause improper airbag deployment which could result in personal injury.

Perform additional inspections on the following components.

• Mounting points or mounting hardware for the side impact sensors, and driver/passenger side seat air bags on the side of impact?€”Inspect for any damage and repair or replace each component as needed.
• Mounting points, mounting hardware, headliner and trim pieces for the left/right roof rail air bag on the side of impact?€”Inspect for any damage and repair or replace each component as needed.
• Mounting points or mounting hardware for the Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module and seat belt anchor and/or retractor pretensioners?€”Inspect for any damage and repair or replace each component as needed.
• The seat cushion frame
• The seat recliner and cover, if equipped
• The seat adjuster
• The seat back frame
• Door trim assembly
• Impacted seat cushion side covers and switches

Accident With Seat Belt Pretensioner Deployment Only ?€“ Component Replacement and Inspections

After a collision involving driver/passenger Seat Belt Retractor or Anchor Pretensioner deployment, replace the following components.

• Driver and Passenger Inflatable restraint seat belt anchor pretensioner and/or retractor pretensioner
• Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM), if the Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module has set DTC?€‰B0052 and will not clear

Perform additional inspections for any damage and repair or replace each component as needed on the following components.

• Mounting points or mounting hardware for the Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module
• Mounting points or mounting hardware for the Seat Belt Anchor Pretensioners
• Mounting points or mounting hardware for the Seat Belt Retractor Pretensioners

Impact Sensor Replacement Guidelines

The impact sensor replacement policy requires replacing sensors in the area of the accident damage. The area of accident damage is defined as the portion of the vehicle which is crushed, bent, or damaged due to a collision. An example of this would be a moderate collision where the front of the vehicle impacts a object. If the vehicle has an impact sensor mounted forward of the radiator, it must be replaced.

• Replace the impact sensor whether or not the air bags have deployed.
• Replace the impact sensor even if it appears to be undamaged.

Impact sensor damage which is not visible, such as slight bending of the mounting bracket or cuts in the wire insulation, can cause improper operation of the SIR system. Do not try to determine whether the impact sensor is undamaged, replace the impact sensor. Also, if you follow a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) procedure and a malfunctioning impact sensor is indicated, replace the impact sensor.