What is this module?

[firestarter]

After snooping around under my front bumper I'm curious as to what the cylinder-like module is in the pic next to the vacuum bottle? I'm removing the quarter guards for clearance and just want to know what this is and if it's related to the air bag?

Does anyone know what kind of air bag sensor the 2000 Cherokee has (crush or speed style)? If this isn't it in the pic where might I find it? While reading through various write-ups on bumper installation relocation of the vacuum bottle is mentioned but I haven't seen anyone discuss this low hanging gizmo in the pic.... can I just rotate it upwards?

Thanks for the help,

 

[SteelHeadz]

The only thing i see other than the vacuum canister is the horn. Is there something else?. There is no impact sensor external to the ACM(Airbag control module) which is located inside the cab at the center of the transmission tunnel.
One electronic impact sensor is used in this airbag system. The impact sensor is an accelerometer that senses the rate of vehicle deceleration, which provides verification of the direction and severity of an impact. The impact sensor is calibrated for the specific vehicle, and is only serviced as a unit with the ACM. A pre-programmed decision algorithm in the ACM microprocessor determines when the deceleration rate as signaled by the impact sensor indicates an impact that is severe enough to require airbag system protection. When the programmed conditions are met, the ACM sends an electrical signal to deploy the airbags.
In addition to the electronic impact sensor, there is an electromechanical sensor within the ACM called a safing sensor. The safing sensor is a normally open series switch located in the airbag deployment circuit of the ACM. This sensor detects impact energy of a lesser magnitude than the electronic impact sensor, and must be closed in order for the airbags to deploy.
The ACM also contains an energy-storage capacitor. This capacitor stores enough electrical energy to deploy the airbags for up to one second following a battery disconnect or failure during an impact. The purpose of the capacitor is to provide airbag system protection in a severe secondary impact, if the initial impact has damaged or disconnected the battery, but was not severe enough to deploy the airbags.

 

[firestarter]

Wow. Thanks for the very detailed reply. I just get all paranoid when dealing with gizmo's that I don't know what they are. Wouldn't want to trigger an air bag deploy And I couldn't find any description on the net (quickly that is) as to what that was.

Seems like you've done you homework on air bags

The only thing i see other than the vacuum canister is the horn. Is there something else?. There is no impact sensor external to the ACM(Airbag control module) which is located inside the cab at the center of the transmission tunnel.
One electronic impact sensor is used in this airbag system. The impact sensor is an accelerometer that senses the rate of vehicle deceleration, which provides verification of the direction and severity of an impact. The impact sensor is calibrated for the specific vehicle, and is only serviced as a unit with the ACM. A pre-programmed decision algorithm in the ACM microprocessor determines when the deceleration rate as signaled by the impact sensor indicates an impact that is severe enough to require airbag system protection. When the programmed conditions are met, the ACM sends an electrical signal to deploy the airbags.
In addition to the electronic impact sensor, there is an electromechanical sensor within the ACM called a safing sensor. The safing sensor is a normally open series switch located in the airbag deployment circuit of the ACM. This sensor detects impact energy of a lesser magnitude than the electronic impact sensor, and must be closed in order for the airbags to deploy.
The ACM also contains an energy-storage capacitor. This capacitor stores enough electrical energy to deploy the airbags for up to one second following a battery disconnect or failure during an impact. The purpose of the capacitor is to provide airbag system protection in a severe secondary impact, if the initial impact has damaged or disconnected the battery, but was not severe enough to deploy the airbags.

 

[SteelHeadz]

As a rule of thumb when working in a vehicles interior, if you see any electrical connector or wiring that's has a yellow cover or yellow latch lock, it's likely that it's an airbag component wiring or connector. When in doubt, always disconnect the negative battery cable and wait at least 5 mins for the airbag capacitor to discharge.