Driver Air Bag (Dab)
REMOVAL
To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the SRS. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.
To avoid serious or fatal injury when removing a deployed airbag, rubber gloves, eye protection, and a long-sleeved shirt should be worn. There may be deposits on the airbag cushion and other interior surfaces. In large doses, these deposits may cause irritation to the skin and eyes.
- Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
- Locate the access hole dimples in the lower surface of the steering wheel hub rear trim cover near each of the two horizontal spokes.
1 - Access Hole Dimples 2 - DAB - Using the (special tool #2050200100, Remover, Driver Air Bag), pierce the trim cover at the dimple and insert it through the steering wheel access holes. Start with the right side.
- When the tool makes contact with the retainer spring, push inward (toward the steering column) on the tool far enough to disengage the retainer spring from under the right side and lower hooks of the steering wheel armature.
1 - Right Side Retainer Spring 2 - DAB 3 - Left Side Retainer Spring - Pull the release the right side of the DAB away from the steering wheel far enough to insert a trim stick or another long and thin obstacle between the released spoke of the DAB trim cover and the steering wheel spoke hub cavity. This will help to prevent the released end of the retainer spring from becoming accidentally engaged again while the opposite end of the retainer spring is being released.
- Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for the left side retainer spring to disengage the left side of the DAB from the steering wheel.
- Pull the DAB away from the steering wheel far enough to access the steering wheel wire harness connector to the DAB inflator initiators.CAUTION:
Do not pull on the clockspring pigtail wires or pry on the connector insulators to disengage them from the Driver AirBag (DAB) inflator initiator connector receptacles. Improper removal of these pigtail wires and their connector insulators can result in damage to the airbag circuits or the connector insulators.
1 - Steering Wheel Wire Harness Connector 2 - DAB - The clockspring DAB pigtail wire connector insulators are secured by integral latches and a Connector Position Assurance (CPA) lock to the airbag tether cutter and inflator connector receptacles, which are located on the back of the floating horn switch plate and the DAB housing. Pull the lock straight away from the connector insulator, then pull the insulators straight away from the connector receptacles to disengage and disconnect them.
- Remove the DAB and floating horn switch plate from the steering wheel as a unit.NOTE: For a list of all components that must be inspected or replaced after an airbag deployment. Refer to SERVICE AFTER A SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DEPLOYMENT .
INSTALLATION
Follow the removal procedure in reverse for general reassembly of the components on the vehicle. The steps listed below are calling out specific procedures that should be followed during installation.
To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the SRS. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.
To avoid serious or fatal injury, use extreme care to prevent any foreign material from entering the Driver AirBag (DAB), or becoming entrapped between the DAB cushion and the DAB trim cover. Failure to observe this warning could result in occupant injuries upon airbag deployment.
To avoid serious or fatal injury, the driver airbag trim cover must never be painted. Replacement airbags are serviced with trim covers in the original colors. Paint may change the way in which the material of the trim cover responds to an airbag deployment. Failure to observe this warning could result in occupant injuries upon airbag deployment.
- Position the DAB and floating horn switch unit close enough to the steering wheel to access the clockspring pigtail wire harness connections to the horn switch and the steering wheel wire harness connector to the DAB inflator initiator.
- Connect the clockspring pigtail wire connectors to the airbag inflator initiator connector receptacles by pressing straight in on the connector insulator. Be certain to engage each keyed and color-coded connector to the matching connector receptacle. Be certain that each connector is fully engaged in its receptacle, then push the connector lock straight into the connector to lock it in place.
- Carefully position the DAB and floating horn switch unit into the steering wheel hub cavity while tugging lightly upward on the clockspring pigtail wire for the airbag and tucking the wires into the upper hub cavity of the steering wheel. Be certain that none of the steering wheel wiring is pinched between the airbag housing or the horn switch and the steering wheel armature.
- Using both hands, push firmly and evenly on both sides of the DAB trim cover until all three locations of the spring retainer have snapped into place under the hooks within the hub cavity of the steering wheel.
- Do not connect the negative battery cable at this time. The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Verification Test procedure should be performed following service of any SRS component. Refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM VERIFICATION TEST .