OEM 2001 Mercury Cougar Air Bag

2001 Mercury Cougar Air Bag Parts Q&A

• Q: How should one service the side air bag safely and effectively on 2001 Mercury Cougar?

  A: Before disconnecting the electronic air bag control module and supplemental restraint system electrical connectors you should wait at least one full minute after disconnecting the battery cables because this practice ensures no accidental deployment will occur. Air bag system work should avoid radio keycode savers because the use of these devices can result in deployment and possible personal injuries. Protect your eyes at all times by wearing safety glasses while working on air bag modules and point a live air bag with its trim cover away from your body because this will prevent accidents from triggering its deployment. After placing a live air bag module on a surface with its trim cover pointing up you should wash your hands with soap and water to get rid of skin-irritating sodium hydroxide residue on your skin. Laboratory repairs need the installation of updated components only while new components that cannot fix the issue require original component reinstallation followed by diagnostic readjustments. It is always dangerous to manipulate air bag connectors since doing so might activate the device and result in personal harm. Services must use new components to replace any damaged air bag modules presenting discolored or damaged deployment doors and covers. Initial seat work requires removal of the backrest seat with its cover and pad followed by connector disconnection on the side air bag module by pressing the retaining tangs on both sides. The side air bag module has universal use for both left-hand and right-hand seats while requiring the electrical connector to remain pointing toward the seat base. The installation follows the removal steps with the strict requirement to use only original manufacturer components that safeguard side air bag module deployment.