Passenger Air Bag Module: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Mercury Milan, 2009 Lincoln MKZ, and 2009 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Always carry or place a live air bag module with the air bag and deployment door/trim cover/tear seam pointed away from the body. Do not set a live air bag module down with the deployment door/trim cover/tear seam face down. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: Never probe the electrical connectors on air bag, safety canopy or side air curtain modules. Failure to follow this instruction may result in the accidental deployment of these modules, which increases the risk of serious personal injury or death.

NOTE: The air bag warning indicator illuminates when the correct Restraints Control Module (RCM) fuse is removed and the ignition is ON.

NOTE: The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.

All vehicles

Depower the SRS. For additional information, refer to Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Depowering and Repowering .
Open the glove compartment door, release the door damper cable and fully lower the door.

MKZ

Remove the instrument panel end panel.
Through the glove compartment opening, remove the 5 RH instrument panel trim panel nuts.
Pull out on the RH instrument panel trim panel, releasing the 2 clips, then remove the RH instrument panel trim panel.

All vehicles

Remove the 2 passenger air bag module bolts.

NOTE: Do not handle the passenger air bag module by grabbing the edges of the passenger air bag cover. Damage to the air bag module may occur.

Through the glove compartment opening, release the passenger air bag cover clips from the instrument panel and then lift the passenger air bag module out of the instrument panel.

NOTE: RH shown, LH similar.

Using a small screwdriver as shown, lift up and release the locking buttons on the 2 passenger air bag module electrical connectors.

Fig 1: Locating Passenger Air Bag Module Electrical Connectors

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Do not pull the passenger air bag module electrical connectors out by the locking buttons. Damage to the locking buttons can occur.

NOTE: RH shown, LH similar.

With the locking buttons released, remove the 2 electrical connectors and the passenger air bag module.

Fig 2: Locating Passenger Air Bag Module Electrical Connectors

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.