Removal and Installation
DRIVER AIRBAGThe following procedure is for replacement of a faulty or damaged driver airbag. If the airbag is faulty or damaged, but not deployed, review the recommended procedures for handling non-deployed supplemental restraints. If the driver airbag has been deployed, review the recommended procedures for service after a supplemental restraint deployment before removing the airbag from the vehicle.
WARNING:
- ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG, PASSENGER AIRBAG, FRONT IMPACT SENSOR, SIDE IMPACT SENSOR, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG, 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 SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
- USE EXTREME CARE TO PREVENT ANY FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM ENTERING THE DRIVER AIRBAG, OR BECOMING ENTRAPPED BETWEEN THE DRIVER AIRBAG CUSHION AND THE DRIVER AIRBAG TRIM COVER. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURIES UPON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
- 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.
REMOVAL
Fig. 21 Driver Airbag Remove/Install:
1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
2. From the underside of the steering wheel, remove the two screws that secure the driver airbag to the steering wheel armature.
3. Pull the driver airbag away from the steering wheel far enough to access the three electrical connections on the back of the airbag housing.
4. Disconnect the steering wheel wire harness connector for the horn switch from the horn switch feed pigtail wire connector, which is located on the back of the driver airbag housing.
CAUTION: Do not pull on the clockspring pigtail wires or pry on the connector insulator to disengage the connector from the driver airbag inflator connector receptacle. Improper removal of these pigtail wires and their connector insulators can result in damage to the airbag circuits or connector insulators.
5. The clockspring driver airbag pigtail wire connectors are secured by an integral lock to the airbag inflator connector receptacles, which are located at the back of the driver airbag housing. Firmly grasp and pull the lock straight out from the connector insulator, then pull the insulators straight out from the airbag inflator to disconnect them from the connector receptacles.
6. Remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel.
7. If the driver airbag has been deployed, the clockspring must be replaced.
INSTALLATION
1. Position the driver airbag close enough to the steering wheel to reconnect the three electrical connections on the back of the airbag housing.
Fig. 21 Driver Airbag Remove/Install:
2. When installing the driver airbag, reconnect the two clockspring driver airbag pigtail wire connectors to the airbag inflator connector receptacles by pressing straight in on the connectors, then pushing the locks straight into the connectors. You can be certain that the connector is fully engaged by listening carefully for a distinct, audible click as the connector latches snap into place.
3. Reconnect the steering wheel wire harness connector for the horn switch to the horn switch feed pigtail wire connector, which is located at the back of the driver airbag housing.
4. Carefully position the driver airbag in the steering wheel. Be certain that the clockspring pigtail wires and steering wheel wire harness in the steering wheel hub area are not pinched between the driver airbag and the steering wheel armature.
5. From the underside of the steering wheel, install and tighten the two screws that secure the driver airbag to the steering wheel armature. Tighten the screws to 10 Nm (90 in. lbs.).
6. Do not reconnect the battery negative cable at this time. The supplemental restraint system verification test procedure should be performed following service of any supplemental restraint system component.