Airbag Unit With Igniter, Removing And Installing: Notes
- Follow the general safety precautions when working with airbags, belt tensioners and battery cut-out units (pyrotechnic components).
- Read and follow the notes regarding driver and front passenger airbags.
-- Switch the ignition on.
-- Disconnect the battery. Refer to BATTERY, DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING .
-- Adjust steering wheel height to the lowest position.
-- Adjust the steering wheel depth so that it is in the fully extended position.
- Steering wheel position: "straight"
-- Turn the steering wheel approximately 100° to the right.
-- Make sure that the round, sealed recess -3- in the steering wheel base -2- is in the highest position above the steering column trim panel -1-.
The sealed recess in the steering wheel base is one of two predetermined breaking points for the removal of the driver airbag.
For the following steps, a commercially available pin punch with a 5 or 6 mm shaft diameter is required.
-- To protect the instrument cluster and steering column switch trim panel from being scratched, put commercially available adhesive tape on the end of the pin punch handle.
-- Position the pin punch parallel to the steering column shaft and pierce the predetermined breaking point in the steering wheel base.
-- Guide the pin punch all the way into the steering wheel base and pull it back approximately 1 to 2 mm.
- The tip of the pin punch -2- rests on the spring -3- inside the coil.
Never press the pin punch downward - risk of damage!
-- "With a slight upward movement", lift the pin punch -2-.
-- Due to the procedure, the spring coil -3- is slid into the center of the steering wheel -arrow A-.
-- At the same time, the right spring arm moves outward -arrow B-.
This detaches the driver airbag -1- from the retainer on the left side of the steering wheel.
-- Turn the steering wheel back to the "straight" position.
-- Turn the steering wheel approximately 100° to the left.
-- Make sure that the round, sealed recess -3- in the steering wheel base -2- is in the highest position above the steering column trim panel -1-.
-- Pierce the predetermined breaking point as described using the pin punch and guide it all the way into the steering wheel base.
-- Pull the pin punch back approximately 1 to 2 mm.
- The tip of the pin punch -2- rests on the spring -3- inside the coil.
Never press the pin punch downward - risk of damage!
-- Use one hand to lightly press on the horn symbol on the side of the steering wheel that is already released.
This step is necessary to prevent the airbag from getting stuck in the steering wheel.
-- "With a slight upward movement", lift the pin punch -2-.
-- Due to the procedure, the spring coil -3- is slid into the center of the steering wheel -arrow A-.
-- At the same time, the outer spring arms move outward -B arrows-.
The driver airbag -1- is detached from the retainers in the steering wheel.
-- Turn the steering wheel back to the "straight" position.
-- Remove the airbag unit from the steering wheel.
Electrostatic discharges can lead to unintended deployment of the airbag. Therefore the technician must discharge static electricity from the body before separating the ignition and ground wiring. This is done, for example, by briefly touching the body or door striker.
-- Release the connector lock -3- in the direction of the -arrow- and remove the airbag connector -2-.
-- For vehicles with a multifunction steering wheel, remove the connector -1- in the direction of the -arrow-.