The ACM housing also has an integral ground lug
with a tapped hole that protrudes from the lower left
rear corner of the unit. This lug provides a case
ground to the ACM when a ground screw is installed
through the left side of the mounting bracket. Two
molded plastic electrical connector receptacles exit
the right side of the ACM housing. The smaller of the
two receptacles contains twelve terminal pins, while
the larger one contains twenty-three. These terminal
pins connect the ACM to the vehicle electrical system
through two dedicated take outs and connectors of
the instrument panel wire harness.
A molded rubber protective cover is installed
loosely over the ACM to protect the unit from con-
densation or coolant leaking from a damaged or
faulty heater-air conditioner unit housing. An inte-
gral flange on the left side of the cover is secured to
the floor panel transmission tunnel with a short
piece of double-faced tape as an assembly aid during
the manufacturing process, but this tape does not
require replacement following service removal.
The impact sensor and safing sensor internal to
the ACM are calibrated for the specific vehicle, and
are only serviced as a unit with the ACM. The ACM
cannot be repaired or adjusted and, if damaged or
faulty, it must be replaced. The ACM cover is avail-
able for separate service replacement.
OPERATION
The microprocessor in the Airbag Control Module
(ACM) contains the front supplemental restraint sys-
tem logic circuits and controls all of the front supple-
mental restraint system components. The ACM uses
On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) and can communicate
with other electronic modules in the vehicle as well
as with the DRBIIItscan tool using the Programma-
ble Communications Interface (PCI) data bus net-
work. This method of communication is used for
control of the airbag indicator in the ElectroMechani-
cal Instrument Cluster (EMIC) and for supplemental
restraint system diagnosis and testing through the
16-way data link connector located on the driver side
lower edge of the instrument panel. (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/AIRBAG
INDICATOR - OPERATION).
The ACM microprocessor continuously monitors all
of the front supplemental restraint system electrical
circuits to determine the system readiness. If the
ACM detects a monitored system fault, it sets an
active and stored Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) and
sends electronic messages to the EMIC over the PCI
data bus to turn on the airbag indicator. An active
fault only remains for the duration of the fault or in
some cases the duration of the current ignition
switch cycle, while a stored fault causes a DTC to be
stored in memory by the ACM. For some DTCs, if afault does not recur for a number of ignition cycles,
the ACM will automatically erase the stored DTC.
For other internal faults, the stored DTC is latched
forever.
On models equipped with optional side curtain air-
bags, the ACM communicates with both the left and
right Side Impact Airbag Control Modules (SIACM)
over the PCI data bus. The SIACM notifies the ACM
when it has detected a monitored system fault and
stored a DTC in memory for its respective side cur-
tain airbag system, and the ACM sets a DTC and
controls the airbag indicator operation accordingly.
The ACM also monitors a Hall effect-type seat belt
switch located in the buckle of each front seat belt to
determine whether the seatbelts are buckled, and
provides an input to the EMIC over the PCI data bus
to control the seatbelt indicator operation based upon
the status of the driver side front seat belt switch.
The ACM receives battery current through two cir-
cuits; a fused ignition switch output (run) circuit
through a fuse in the Junction Block (JB), and a
fused ignition switch output (run-start) circuit
through a second fuse in the JB. The ACM has a case
ground through a lug on the bottom of the ACM
housing that is secured with a ground screw to the
left side of the ACM mounting bracket. The ACM
also receives a power ground through a ground cir-
cuit and take out of the instrument panel wire har-
ness. This take out has a single eyelet terminal
connector that is secured by a second ground screw
to the left side of the ACM mounting bracket. These
connections allow the ACM to be operational when-
ever the ignition switch is in the Start or On posi-
tions. The ACM also contains an energy-storage
capacitor. When the ignition switch is in the Start or
On positions, this capacitor is continually being
charged with enough electrical energy to deploy the
airbags for up to one second following a battery dis-
connect or failure. The purpose of the capacitor is to
provide backup supplemental restraint system pro-
tection in case there is a loss of battery current sup-
ply to the ACM during an impact.
Two sensors are contained within the ACM, an
electronic impact sensor and a safing sensor. The
ACM also monitors inputs from two remote front
impact sensors located on the back of the right and
left vertical members of the radiator support near
the front of the vehicle. The electronic impact sensors
are accelerometers that sense the rate of vehicle
deceleration, which provides verification of the direc-
tion and severity of an impact. The safing sensor is
an electromechanical sensor within the ACM that
provides an additional logic input to the ACM micro-
processor. The safing sensor is a normally open
switch that is used to verify the need for an airbag
deployment by detecting impact energy of a lesser
8O - 10 RESTRAINTSKJ
AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE (Continued)
magnitude than that of the electronic impact sensors,
and must be closed in order for the airbags/seat belt
tensioner to deploy. A pre-programmed decision algo-
rithm in the ACM microprocessor determines when
the deceleration rate as signaled by the impact sen-
sors and the safing sensor indicate an impact that is
severe enough to require front supplemental
restraint system protection and, based upon the sta-
tus of the seatbelt switch inputs and the severity of
the monitored impact, determines what combination
of driver seat belt tensioner and/or front airbag
deployment is required for each front seating posi-
tion. When the programmed conditions are met, the
ACM sends the proper electrical signals to deploy the
driver seat belt tensioner and/or the multistage dual
front airbags at the programmed force levels.
The hard wired inputs and outputs for the ACM
may be diagnosed and tested using conventional
diagnostic tools and procedures. However, conven-
tional diagnostic methods will not prove conclusive in
the diagnosis of the ACM, the PCI data bus network,
or the electronic message inputs to and outputs from
the ACM. The most reliable, efficient, and accurate
means to diagnose the ACM, the PCI data bus net-
work, and the electronic message inputs to and out-
puts from the ACM requires the use of a DRBIIIt
scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic infor-
mation.
REMOVAL
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG,
PASSENGER AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER,
FRONT IMPACT SENSORS, 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 CAPACI-
TOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FUR-
THER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY
SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE
PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
PERSONAL INJURY.
WARNING: THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE CON-
TAINS THE IMPACT SENSOR, WHICH ENABLES
THE SYSTEM TO DEPLOY THE FRONT SUPPLE-
MENTAL RESTRAINTS. NEVER STRIKE OR DROP
THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE, AS IT CAN DAM-
AGE THE IMPACT SENSOR OR AFFECT ITS CALI-
BRATION. IF AN AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE ISACCIDENTALLY DROPPED DURING SERVICE, THE
MODULE MUST BE SCRAPPED AND REPLACED
WITH A NEW UNIT. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS
WARNING COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL,
INCOMPLETE, OR IMPROPER FRONT SUPPLEMEN-
TAL RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
OCCUPANT INJURIES.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to
discharge before further service.
(2) Remove the center console from the top of the
floor panel transmission tunnel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/
INTERIOR/FLOOR CONSOLE - REMOVAL).
(3) From the left side of the floor panel transmis-
sion tunnel, remove the Airbag Control Module
(ACM) cover from the ACM (Fig. 7). The cover flange
is secured to the silencer pad on the floor panel
transmission tunnel with double-faced tape.
(4) Remove the ground screw that secures the
ground lug on the left rear corner of the ACM hous-
ing to the ACM bracket on the floor panel transmis-
sion tunnel.
Fig. 7 ACM Cover Remove/Install
1 - FLANGE
2 - COVER
3 - TAPE
4 - SCREW
5 - BRACKET
6 - AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE
7 - FLOOR PANEL TRANSMISSION TUNNEL
KJRESTRAINTS 8O - 11
AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE (Continued)
(5) Remove the two screws that secure the ACM to
the ACM bracket that is welded onto the top of the
floor panel transmission tunnel (Fig. 8).
(6) Lift the ACM from the ACM bracket on the top
of the floor panel transmission tunnel and move the
unit to the left far enough to access the ACM wire
harness connectors.
(7) Disconnect the two instrument panel wire har-
ness connectors for the ACM from the ACM connector
receptacles on the right side of the module. To discon-
nect the large instrument panel wire harness connec-
tor from the ACM:
(a) Slide the red Connector Position Assurance
(CPA) lock on the top of the connector toward the
side of the connector.
(b) Depress the connector latch tab and pull the
connector straight away from the ACM connector
receptacle.
(8) Remove the ACM from the left side of the floor
panel transmission tunnel.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG,
PASSENGER AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER,
FRONT IMPACT SENSORS, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG,
OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS
OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THEBATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN
WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACI-
TOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FUR-
THER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY
SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE
PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
PERSONAL INJURY.
WARNING: THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE CON-
TAINS THE IMPACT SENSOR, WHICH ENABLES
THE SYSTEM TO DEPLOY THE FRONT SUPPLE-
MENTAL RESTRAINTS. NEVER STRIKE OR DROP
THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE, AS IT CAN DAM-
AGE THE IMPACT SENSOR OR AFFECT ITS CALI-
BRATION. IF AN AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE IS
ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED DURING SERVICE, THE
MODULE MUST BE SCRAPPED AND REPLACED
WITH A NEW UNIT. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS
WARNING COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL,
INCOMPLETE, OR IMPROPER FRONT SUPPLEMEN-
TAL RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
OCCUPANT INJURIES.
(1) Position the Airbag Control Module (ACM) to
the left side of the floor panel transmission tunnel
near the ACM bracket (Fig. 8).
(2) Reconnect the instrument panel wire harness
connectors for the ACM to the ACM connector recep-
tacles on the right side of the module. Be certain that
the latches on both connectors and the red Connector
Position Assurance (CPA) lock on the large connector
are each fully engaged.
(3) Carefully position the ACM into the ACM
bracket on the top of the floor panel transmission
tunnel. When the ACM is correctly positioned, the
arrow on the ACM housing will be pointed forward in
the vehicle.
(4) Install and tighten the two screws that secure
the ACM to the ACM bracket that is welded onto the
floor panel transmission tunnel. Tighten the screws
to 36 N´m (26 ft. lbs.).
(5) Install and tighten the ground screw that
secures the ground lug on the left rear corner of the
ACM housing to the ACM bracket on the floor panel
transmission tunnel (Fig. 7). Tighten the screw to 12
N´m (105 in. lbs.).
(6) From the left side of the floor panel transmis-
sion tunnel, carefully position the ACM cover back
over the top of the ACM.
Fig. 8 Airbag Control Module Remove/Install
1 - AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE
2 - WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR (2)
3 - BRACKET
4 - SCREW (2)
8O - 12 RESTRAINTSKJ
AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE (Continued)
NOTE: The integral flange on the left side of the
ACM cover is secured to the floor panel transmis-
sion tunnel with a short piece of double-faced tape
as an assembly aid during the manufacturing pro-
cess, but this tape does not require replacement
following service removal.
(7) Reinstall the center console onto the top of the
floor panel transmission tunnel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/
INTERIOR/FLOOR CONSOLE - INSTALLATION).
(8) Do not reconnect the battery negative cable at
this time. The airbag system verification test proce-
dure should be performed following service of any
supplemental restraint system component. (Refer to
8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PRO-
CEDURE - VERIFICATION TEST).
CHILD TETHER ANCHOR
DESCRIPTION
All vehicles are equipped with three, fixed-position,
child seat tether anchors (Fig. 9). Two anchors are
integral to the back of the right rear seat back panel,
and one is integral to the left rear seat back panel.
The child seat tether anchors cannot be adjusted or
repaired and, if faulty or damaged, they must be
replaced as a unit with the rear seat back panel.
OPERATION
See the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for
more information on the proper use of the factory-in-
stalled child seat tether anchors.
CLOCKSPRING
DESCRIPTION
The clockspring assembly is secured with two inte-
gral plastic latches onto the upper steering column
housing near the top of the steering column behind
the steering wheel (Fig. 10). The clockspring consists
of a flat, round molded plastic case with a stubby tail
that hangs below the steering column and contains
two connector receptacles that face toward the
instrument panel (Fig. 11). Within the plastic hous-
ing is a spool-like molded plastic rotor with a large
exposed hub and several plastic rollers. The upper
surface of the rotor hub has a large center hole, a
release button, a clear plastic inspection window, two
short pigtail wires with connectors, and a connector
receptacle that faces toward the steering wheel. Two
versions of the clockspring are used on this model,
one is a seven circuit unit for vehicles not equipped
with optional remote radio switches on the steering
wheel and can be visually identified by the use of yel-
low heat-shrink tubing on the pigtail wires, while the
other is a nine circuit unit for vehicles with remote
radio switches and can be visually identified by the
use of black heat-shrink tubing on the pigtail wires.
A rubber bumper block is located on each side of
the tower formation that contains the connector
receptacle and pigtail wires on the upper surface of
the rotor hub. The lower surface of the rotor hub has
Fig. 9 Child Tether Anchors
1 - REAR SEAT BACK (LEFT)
2 - REAR SEAT BACK (RIGHT)
3 - CHILD TETHER ANCHOR (3)
Fig. 10 Clockspring
1 - PIGTAIL WIRE (2)
2 - UPPER CONNECTOR RECEPTACLE
3 - BUMPER (2)
4 - BRACKET (2)
5 - LABEL
6 - SHIELD
7 - CASE
8 - WINDOW
9 - ROTOR
KJRESTRAINTS 8O - 13
AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE (Continued)
a molded plastic turn signal cancel cam with a single
lobe that is integral to the rotor. Within the plastic
case and wound around the rotor spool is a long rib-
bon-like tape that consists of several thin copper wire
leads sandwiched between two thin plastic mem-
branes. The outer end of the tape terminates at the
connector receptacles that face the instrument panel,
while the inner end of the tape terminates at the pig-
tail wires and connector receptacle on the hub of the
clockspring rotor that face the steering wheel.
Service replacement clocksprings are shipped pre-
centered and with a molded plastic shield that snaps
onto the rotor over the release button. The release
button secures the centered clockspring rotor to the
clockspring case and the shield prevents the release
button from being inadvertently depressed during
shipment and handling, but the shield must be
removed from the clockspring after it is installed on
the steering column. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RE-
STRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE - CLOCKSPRING CENTERING).
The clockspring cannot be repaired. If the clock-
spring is faulty, damaged, or if the driver airbag has
been deployed, the clockspring must be replaced.
OPERATION
The clockspring is a mechanical electrical circuit
component that is used to provide continuous electri-
cal continuity between the fixed instrument panel
wire harness and the electrical components mounted
on or in the rotating steering wheel. On this model
the rotating electrical components include the driver
airbag, the horn switch, the speed control switches,and the remote radio switches, if the vehicle is so
equipped. The clockspring case is positioned and
secured to the upper steering column housing near
the top of the steering column. The connector recep-
tacles on the tail of the fixed clockspring case connect
the clockspring to the vehicle electrical system
through two take outs with connectors from the
instrument panel wire harness. The clockspring rotor
is movable and is keyed by the tower formation that
is molded onto the upper surface of the rotor hub to
an opening that is cast into the steering wheel arma-
ture. Rubber bumper blocks on either side of the
clockspring tower formation eliminate contact noise
between the clockspring tower and the steering
wheel. The lobe of the turn signal cancel cam on the
lower surface of the clockspring rotor hub contacts a
turn signal cancel actuator of the multi-function
switch to provide automatic turn signal cancellation.
The yellow-sleeved pigtail wires on the upper surface
of the clockspring rotor connect the clockspring to the
driver airbag, while a steering wheel wire harness
connects the connector receptacle on the upper sur-
face of the clockspring rotor to the horn switch and,
if the vehicle is so equipped, to the optional speed
control switches and remote radio switches on the
steering wheel.
Like the clockspring in a timepiece, the clockspring
tape has travel limits and can be damaged by being
wound too tightly during full stop-to-stop steering
wheel rotation. To prevent this from occurring, the
clockspring is centered when it is installed on the
steering column. Centering the clockspring indexes
the clockspring tape to the movable steering compo-
nents so that the tape can operate within its
designed travel limits. However, if the clockspring is
removed from the steering column or if the steering
shaft is disconnected from the steering gear, the
clockspring spool can change position relative to the
movable steering components and must be re-cen-
tered following completion of the service or the tape
may be damaged. Service replacement clocksprings
are shipped pre-centered and with a plastic shield
installed over the clockspring release button. This
shield should not be removed and the release button
should not be depressed until the clockspring has
been installed on the steering column. If the release
button is depressed before the clockspring is installed
on a steering column, the clockspring centering pro-
cedure must be performed. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING - STANDARD
PROCEDURE - CLOCKSPRING CENTERING).
STANDARD PROCEDURE - CLOCKSPRING
CENTERING
The clockspring is designed to wind and unwind
when the steering wheel is rotated, but is only
Fig. 11 Clockspring Latches
1 - CASE
2 - LATCH (2)
3 - ROTOR
4 - CANCEL CAM
5 - LOWER CONNECTOR RECEPTACLE (2)
8O - 14 RESTRAINTSKJ
CLOCKSPRING (Continued)
designed to rotate the same number of turns (about
five complete rotations) as the steering wheel can be
turned from stop to stop. Centering the clockspring
indexes the clockspring tape to other steering compo-
nents so that it can operate within its designed
travel limits. The rotor of a centered clockspring can
be rotated two and one-half turns in either direction
from the centered position, without damaging the
clockspring tape.
However, if the clockspring is removed for service
or if the steering column is disconnected from the
steering gear, the clockspring tape can change posi-
tion relative to the other steering components. The
clockspring must then be re-centered following com-
pletion of such service or the clockspring tape may be
damaged. Service replacement clocksprings are
shipped pre-centered, with the release button
engaged (raised) and a molded plastic shield installed
over the release button. This release button should
not be disengaged and the shield should not be
removed until the clockspring has been installed on
the steering column. If the release button is disen-
gaged before the clockspring is installed on a steering
column, the clockspring centering procedure must be
performed.
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG,
PASSENGER AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER,
FRONT IMPACT SENSORS, 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 CAPACI-
TOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FUR-
THER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY
SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE
PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
PERSONAL INJURY.
NOTE: Before starting this procedure, be certain to
turn the steering wheel until the front wheels are in
the straight-ahead position.
(1) Place the front wheels in the straight-ahead
position.
(2) Remove the clockspring from the steering col-
umn. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/
CLOCKSPRING - REMOVAL).
(3) Depress the release button (Fig. 12).(4) Keeping the release button depressed, rotate
the clockspring rotor clockwise to the end of its
travel.Do not apply excessive torque.
(5) From the end of the clockwise travel, rotate the
rotor about two and one-half turns counterclockwise,
then release the release button. The clockspring
tower formation with the pigtail wires for the driver
airbag and the connector receptacle for the steering
wheel wire harness should end up at the top, the
blue roller should be visible through the inspection
window, and the printed arrow on the label of the
clockspring rotor should be aligned with the arrow
molded into the clockspring case. The clockspring is
now centered.
(6) The front wheels should still be in the straight-
ahead position. Reinstall the clockspring onto the
steering column. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RE-
STRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING - INSTALLATION).
REMOVAL
The clockspring cannot be repaired. It must be
replaced if faulty or damaged, or if the driver airbag
has been deployed.
Fig. 12 Clockspring Centering
1 - ROTOR LABEL
2 - RELEASE BUTTON
3 - ALIGNMENT ARROWS
4 - INSPECTION WINDOW
KJRESTRAINTS 8O - 15
CLOCKSPRING (Continued)
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG,
PASSENGER AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER,
FRONT IMPACT SENSORS, 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 CAPACI-
TOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FUR-
THER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY
SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE
PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
PERSONAL INJURY.
NOTE: Before starting this procedure, be certain to
turn the steering wheel until the front wheels are in
the straight-ahead position.
(1) Place the front wheels in the straight ahead
position.
(2) Remove the driver airbag from the steering
wheel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/
DRIVER AIRBAG - REMOVAL).
(3) Disconnect the steering wheel wire harness
connector from the upper clockspring connector
receptacle.
(4) Remove the steering wheel from the steering
column. (Refer to 19 - STEERING/COLUMN/STEER-
ING WHEEL - REMOVAL).
(5) If the vehicle is equipped with the optional tilt
steering column, move the tilt steering column to the
fully lowered position and leave the tilt release lever
in the released (down) position.
(6) From below the steering column, remove the
two screws that secure the lower shroud to the upper
shroud (Fig. 13).
(7) Using hand pressure, push gently inward on
both sides of the upper shroud near the parting line
between the upper and lower shrouds to release the
snap features that secure the two halves to each
other.
(8) Remove both the upper and lower shrouds from
the steering column.
(9) Disconnect the two instrument panel wire har-
ness connectors for the clockspring from the two con-
nector receptacles below the steering column on the
back of the clockspring housing.
(10) Using a small thin-bladed screwdriver, release
the two integral plastic latches that secure the back
of the clockspring housing to the steering column
lock housing.(11) Remove the clockspring from the steering col-
umn lock housing. The clockspring cannot be
repaired. It must be replaced if faulty or damaged, or
if the driver airbag has been deployed.
(12) If the removed clockspring is to be reused, be
certain that the release button on the clockspring
rotor is raised and latched to secure the rotor to the
clockspring case to maintain clockspring centering
until it is reinstalled on the steering column. If clock-
spring centering is not maintained, the clockspring
must be centered again before it is reinstalled. (Refer
to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - CLOCKSPRING CEN-
TERING).
INSTALLATION
The clockspring cannot be repaired. It must be
replaced if faulty or damaged, or if the driver airbag
has been deployed.
If the clockspring is not properly centered in rela-
tion to the steering wheel, steering shaft and steer-
ing gear, it may be damaged. (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - CLOCKSPRING CEN-
Fig. 13 Clockspring Remove/Install
1 - UPPER SHROUD
2 - CLOCKSPRING
3 - LATCH (2)
4 - SCREW (2)
5 - LOWER SHROUD
6 - WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR (2)
7 - MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH
8 - STEERING COLUMN
8O - 16 RESTRAINTSKJ
CLOCKSPRING (Continued)
TERING). Service replacement clocksprings are
shipped pre-centered, with the release button
engaged (raised) and a molded plastic shield installed
over the release button. This release button should
not be disengaged and the shield should not be
removed until the clockspring has been installed on
the steering column. If the release button is disen-
gaged before the clockspring is installed on a steering
column, the clockspring centering procedure must be
performed.
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG,
PASSENGER AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER,
FRONT IMPACT SENSORS, 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 CAPACI-
TOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FUR-
THER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY
SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE
PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
PERSONAL INJURY.
NOTE: Before starting this procedure, be certain to
turn the steering wheel until the front wheels are in
the straight-ahead position.
(1) Carefully slide the centered clockspring down
over the steering column upper shaft until the two
integral plastic latches on the back of the clockspring
housing are fully engaged through their openings in
the steering column lock housing (Fig. 13).
(2) Reconnect the two instrument panel wire har-
ness connectors for the clockspring to the two connec-
tor receptacles below the steering column on the back
of the clockspring housing.
(3) Position the upper and lower shrouds onto the
steering column.
(4) Align the snap features on the lower shroud
with the receptacles on the upper shroud and apply
hand pressure to snap them together.
(5) From below the steering column, install and
tighten the two screws that secure the lower shroud
to the upper shroud. Tighten the screws to 2 N´m (18
in. lbs.).
(6) If the vehicle is equipped with the optional tilt
steering column, move the tilt steering column back
to the fully raised position and move the tilt release
lever back to the locked (up) position.(7) Reinstall the steering wheel onto the steering
column. (Refer to 19 - STEERING/COLUMN/STEER-
ING WHEEL - INSTALLATION).
NOTE: Be certain that the steering wheel mounting
screw is tightened to the proper torque specifica-
tion to ensure proper clockspring operation.
(8) Reconnect the steering wheel wire harness con-
nector to the upper clockspring connector receptacle.
(9) Reinstall the driver airbag onto the steering
wheel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/
DRIVER AIRBAG - INSTALLATION).
DRIVER AIRBAG
DESCRIPTION
The black, injection molded, thermoplastic driver
airbag protective trim cover is the most visible part
of the driver airbag (Fig. 14). The driver airbag is
located in the center of the steering wheel, where it
is secured with two screws to the two horizontal
spokes of the four-spoke steering wheel armature.
Base models have a Jeeptlogo embossed in the cen-
ter of the trim cover, while premium models feature a
stamped, satin polished emblem with the Jeeptlogo
applied to the center of the trim cover. Concealed
beneath the driver airbag trim cover are the horn
switch, the folded airbag cushion, the airbag retainer
or housing, the airbag inflator, and the retainers that
secure the inflator to the airbag housing. The airbag
cushion, housing, and inflator are secured within an
integral receptacle molded into the back of the trim
cover.
Fig. 14 Driver Airbag Trim Cover
1 - STEERING WHEEL
2 - TRIM COVER
KJRESTRAINTS 8O - 17
CLOCKSPRING (Continued)