Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Occupant Restraint Controller: Description
| 1 - PARKING BRAKE |
| 2 - OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROLLER |
| 3 - CONSOLE GEAR SELECTOR |
The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) is also sometimes referred to as the Airbag Control Module (ACM). The ORC is mounted on the tunnel floor pan, between the transmission shifter and parking brake. See Fig 1.
The ORC contains a microprocessor, the impact sensing device, and energy storage capacitors. The microprocessor contains the airbag system logic. The airbag system logic includes On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) capability, and communicates with the instrument cluster circuitry on the Programmable Communication Interface (PCI) data bus to control the airbag indicator lamp.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.