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)
The resistive membrane-type horn switch is
secured with heat stakes to the inside surface of the
driver airbag trim cover, between the trim cover and
the folded airbag cushion. The horn switch ground
pigtail wire has a female spade terminal connector
that receives a path to ground through a male spade
terminal that is integral to the driver airbag housing
stamping and is located near the upper right corner
on the back of the housing (Fig. 15). The horn switch
feed pigtail wire has a white, molded plastic insula-
tor that is secured by an integral retainer to a
mounting hole located near the lower left corner on
the back of the housing, and is connected to the vehi-
cle electrical system through a take out and connec-
tor of the steering wheel wire harness.
The airbag used in this model is a multistage, Next
Generation-type that complies with revised federal
airbag standards to deploy with less force than those
used in some prior models. A 67 centimeter (26.5
inch) diameter, radial deploying fabric cushion with
tethers is used. The airbag inflator is a dual-initiator,
non-azide, pyrotechnic-type unit with four mounting
studs and is secured to the stamped metal airbag
housing using four hex nuts with washers. Two
keyed and color-coded connector receptacles on the
driver airbag inflator connect the two inflator initia-
tors to the vehicle electrical system through two yel-
low-jacketed, two-wire pigtail harnesses of the
clockspring. The driver airbag and horn switch unit
cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed
or in any way damaged.OPERATION
The multistage driver airbag is deployed by electri-
cal signals generated by the Airbag Control Module
(ACM) through the driver airbag squib 1 and squib 2
circuits to the two initiators in the airbag inflator. By
using two initiators, the airbag can be deployed at
multiple levels of force. The force level is controlled
by the ACM to suit the monitored impact conditions
by providing one of three delay intervals between the
electrical signals provided to the two initiators. The
longer the delay between these signals, the less force-
fully the airbag will deploy. When the ACM sends the
proper electrical signals to each initiator, the electri-
cal energy generates enough heat to initiate a small
pyrotechnic charge which, in turn ignites chemical
pellets within the inflator. Once ignited, these chem-
ical pellets burn rapidly and produce a large quantity
of nitrogen gas. The inflator is sealed to the back of
the airbag housing and a diffuser in the inflator
directs all of the nitrogen gas into the airbag cush-
ion, causing the cushion to inflate. As the cushion
inflates, the driver airbag trim cover will split at pre-
determined breakout lines, then fold back out of the
way along with the horn switch unit. Following an
airbag deployment, the airbag cushion quickly
deflates by venting the nitrogen gas towards the
instrument panel through vent holes within the fab-
ric used to construct the back (steering wheel side)
panel of the airbag cushion.
Some of the chemicals used to create the nitrogen
gas may be considered hazardous while in their solid
state before they are burned, but they are securely
sealed within the airbag inflator. Typically, both ini-
tiators are used and all potentially hazardous chem-
icals are burned during an airbag deployment event.
However, it is possible for only one initiator to be
used during a deployment due to an airbag system
fault; therefore, it is necessary to always confirm
that both initiators have been used in order to avoid
the improper disposal of potentially live pyrotechnic
or hazardous materials. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - SER-
VICE AFTER A SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
DEPLOYMENT). The nitrogen gas that is produced
when the chemicals are burned is harmless. How-
ever, a small amount of residue from the burned
chemicals may cause some temporary discomfort if it
contacts the skin, eyes, or breathing passages. If skin
or eye irritation is noted, rinse the affected area with
plenty of cool, clean water. If breathing passages are
irritated, move to another area where there is plenty
of clean, fresh air to breath. If the irritation is not
alleviated by these actions, contact a physician.
Fig. 15 Driver Airbag Housing
1 - HOUSING
2 - HORN SWITCH GROUND WIRE
3 - HORN SWITCH FEED WIRE
4 - INFLATOR
5 - TRIM COVER
8O - 18 RESTRAINTSKJ
DRIVER AIRBAG (Continued)
REMOVAL
The following procedure is for replacement of a
faulty or damaged driver airbag. If the driver airbag
has been deployed, review the recommended proce-
dures for service after a passive restraint deployment
before removing the airbag from the vehicle. (Refer to
8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PRO-
CEDURE - SERVICE AFTER A SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT).
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 ONLYSURE 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: WHEN REMOVING A DEPLOYED AIR-
BAG, 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.
(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 (Fig. 16).
(3) Pull the driver airbag away from the steering
wheel far enough to access the three electrical con-
nections on the back of the airbag housing.
Fig. 16 Driver Airbag Remove/Install
1 - DRIVER AIRBAG
2 - HORN SWITCH FEED WIRE CONNECTOR
3 - WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR
4 - STEERING WHEEL
5 - TO CLOCKSPRING6 - INSTRUMENT PANEL
7 - STEERING COLUMN
8 - CLOCKSPRING PIGTAIL WIRE CONNECTOR (2)
9 - SCREW (2)
KJRESTRAINTS 8O - 19
DRIVER AIRBAG (Continued)
(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 disen-
gage 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 con-
nectors are secured by integral latches to the airbag
inflator connector receptacles, which are located on
the back of the driver airbag housing. Depress the
latches on each side of each connector insulator and
pull the insulators straight out from the airbag infla-
tor to disconnect them from the connector recepta-
cles.
(6) Remove the driver airbag from the steering
wheel.
(7) If the driver airbag has been deployed, the
clockspring must be replaced. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING - REMOVAL).
INSTALLATION
The following procedure is for replacement of a
faulty or damaged driver airbag. If the driver airbag
has been deployed, the clockspring must also be
replaced. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/
CLOCKSPRING - 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 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: 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.
WARNING: THE DRIVER AIRBAG TRIM COVER
MUST NEVER BE PAINTED. REPLACEMENT AIR-
BAGS ARE SERVICED 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.
(1) Position the driver airbag close enough to the
steering wheel to reconnect all three electrical con-
nections on the back of the airbag housing.
(2) When installing the driver airbag, reconnect
the two clockspring driver airbag pigtail wire connec-
tors to the airbag inflator connector receptacles by
pressing straight in on the connectors (Fig. 16). Be
certain to engage each keyed and color-coded connec-
tor to the matching connector receptacle. You can be
certain that each connector is fully engaged in its
receptacle by listening carefully for a distinct, audi-
ble click as the connector latches snap into place.
(3) Reconnect the steering wheel wire harness con-
nector 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 pig-
tail 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 N´m (90 in. lbs.).
(6) 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).
8O - 20 RESTRAINTSKJ
DRIVER AIRBAG (Continued)
The hybrid-type inflator assembly includes a small
canister of highly compressed gas. When the ACM
sends the proper electrical signal to the airbag infla-
tor, the initiator converts the electrical energy into
chemical energy. This chemical energy opens up a
burst disk to allow the inert gas to flow into the air-
bag cushion. The inflator is sealed to the airbag
cushion so that all of the released inert gas is
directed into the airbag cushion, causing the cushion
to inflate. As the cushion inflates, the passenger air-
bag door will split at predetermined tear seam lines
on the inside surface of the door and the door will
pivot downwards out of the way. Following a passen-
ger airbag deployment, the airbag cushion quickly
deflates by venting the inert gas through vent holes
within the fabric used to construct the sides of the
airbag cushion.
Typically, both initiators are used during an airbag
deployment event. However, it is possible for only one
initiator to be used during a deployment due to an
airbag system fault; therefore, it is necessary to
always confirm that both initiators have been used in
order to avoid the improper disposal of potentially
live pyrotechnic materials. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE -
SERVICE AFTER A SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
DEPLOYMENT).
REMOVAL
The following procedure is for replacement of a
faulty or damaged passenger airbag. If the passenger
airbag has been deployed, review the recommended
procedures for service after a supplemental restraint
deployment before removing the airbag from the
vehicle. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - SERVICE AFTER A
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT).
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: WHEN REMOVING A DEPLOYED AIR-
BAG, RUBBER GLOVES, EYE PROTECTION, AND A
LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT SHOULD BE WORN. THERE
MAY BE DEPOSITS ON THE AIRBAG UNIT AND
OTHER INTERIOR SURFACES. IN LARGE DOSES,
THESE DEPOSITS MAY CAUSE IRRITATION TO THE
SKIN AND EYES.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to
discharge before further service.
(2) Remove the passenger airbag door from the
instrument panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RE-
STRAINTS/PASSENGER AIRBAG DOOR - REMOV-
AL).
(3) Remove the two screws on each side of the pas-
senger airbag that secure the passenger airbag to the
metal brackets on the instrument panel support
structure (Fig. 25).
(4) Disengage the passenger airbag wire harness
connector from the retainer securing the connector to
the metal bracket on the instrument panel support
structure above the airbag by sliding both halves of
the connector to the left.
(5) Disconnect the passenger airbag pigtail wire
connector from the instrument panel wire harness
connector for the airbag. To disconnect the connector:
(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
two halves of the connector straight away from
each other.
Fig. 25 Passenger Airbag Remove/Install
1 - PASSENGER AIRBAG
2 - WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR
3 - SCREW (4)
4 - GLOVE BOX LATCH STRIKER
8O - 28 RESTRAINTSKJ
PASSENGER AIRBAG (Continued)
(6) Remove the passenger airbag from the instru-
ment panel as a unit.
(7) If the passenger airbag has been deployed, both
passenger airbag mounting brackets on the instru-
ment panel must be replaced. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/RESTRAINTS/PASSENGER AIRBAG
MOUNTING BRACKET - REMOVAL).
INSTALLATION
The following procedure is for replacement of a
faulty or damaged passenger airbag. If the passenger
airbag has been deployed, both passenger airbag
mounting brackets on the instrument panel must
also be replaced. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RE-
STRAINTS/PASSENGER AIRBAG MOUNTING
BRACKET - 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 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: WHEN REMOVING A DEPLOYED AIR-
BAG, RUBBER GLOVES, EYE PROTECTION, AND A
LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT SHOULD BE WORN. THERE
MAY BE DEPOSITS ON THE AIRBAG UNIT AND
OTHER INTERIOR SURFACES. IN LARGE DOSES,
THESE DEPOSITS MAY CAUSE IRRITATION TO THE
SKIN AND EYES.
WARNING: USE EXTREME CARE TO PREVENT ANY
FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM ENTERING THE PAS-
SENGER AIRBAG, OR BECOMING ENTRAPPED
BETWEEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG CUSHION
AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DOOR. FAILURE TO
OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN
OCCUPANT INJURIES UPON AIRBAG DEPLOY-
MENT.
(1) Position the passenger airbag unit into the
instrument panel (Fig. 25).(2) Reconnect the passenger airbag pigtail wire
connector to the instrument panel wire harness con-
nector for the airbag. Be certain that the latch on the
connector and the red Connector Position Assurance
(CPA) lock are each fully engaged.
(3) Engage the passenger airbag wire harness con-
nector onto the retainer that secures the connector to
the metal bracket on the instrument panel support
structure above the airbag by aligning the right end
of the connector slot with the left end of the retainer
and sliding both halves of the connector to the right.
(4) Carefully position the passenger airbag unit
onto the two metal brackets on the instrument panel
support structure, being certain that the alignment
pin features on each side of the airbag are engaged
in the alignment holes in the metal brackets.
(5) Install and tighten the two screws on each side
of the passenger airbag that secure the passenger
airbag to the metal brackets on the instrument panel
support structure. Tighten the screws to 6 N´m (55
in. lbs.).
(6) Reinstall the passenger airbag door onto the
instrument panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RE-
STRAINTS/PASSENGER AIRBAG DOOR - INSTAL-
LATION).
(7) 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).
PASSENGER AIRBAG DOOR
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.
KJRESTRAINTS 8O - 29
PASSENGER AIRBAG (Continued)
in parallel with the IC where the two pigtail wire
leads connect to the IC pins.
The seat belt switch cannot be adjusted or repaired
and, if faulty or damaged, the entire seat belt buckle-
half unit must be replaced.
OPERATION
The seat belt switches are designed to provide a
status signal to the seat belt switch sense inputs of
the Airbag Control Module (ACM) indicating whether
the front seat belts are fastened. The ACM uses the
seat belt switch inputs as a factor in determining
what level of force with which it should deploy the
multistage driver and passenger airbags. In addition,
the ACM sends electronic messages to the ElectroMe-
chanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) to control the
seat belt indicator based upon the status of the
driver side front seat belt switch. A spring-loaded
plastic slide with a small, enclosed permanent mag-
net is integral to the buckle latch mechanism. When
a seat belt tip-half is inserted and latched into the
seat belt buckle, the slide is pushed downward and
into close proximity of the Hall Effect Integrated Cir-
cuit (IC) chip within the buckle, which induces a cur-
rent within the chip. The chip provides this induced
current as an output to the ACM, which monitors the
current to determine the status of the front seat
belts. When the seat belt is unbuckled, the spring-
loaded slide and permanent magnet move upward
and away from the IC, causing the output current
from the seat belt switch to be reduced.
The seat belt switch receives a supply current from
the ACM, and the ACM senses the status of the front
seat belts through its pigtail wire connection to the
seat wire harness. The ACM also monitors the condi-
tion of the seat belt switch circuits through circuit
resistance created by the diagnostic resistor. The
ACM will illuminate the airbag indicator in the
EMIC and store a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for
any fault that is detected in either seat belt switch
circuit. For proper diagnosis of the seat belt switches,
a DRBIIItscan tool is required. Refer to the appro-
priate diagnostic information.
SEAT BELT TENSIONER
DESCRIPTION
A driver side seat belt tensioner supplements the
driver airbag system for all versions of this model
(Fig. 34). The seat belt tensioner is integral to the
driver side front seat belt and retractor unit, which is
secured to the B-pillar on the left side of the vehicle.
The retractor is concealed beneath the molded plastic
B-pillar trim. The seat belt tensioner consists prima-
rily of a molded plastic tensioner housing, a tubularmetal piston housing, a piston, a short rack gear, a
set of pinion gears, a pyrotechnically activated gas
generator, and a short pigtail wire. All of these com-
ponents are located on one side of the retractor spool
on the outside of the retractor housing. The seat belt
tensioner is controlled by the Airbag Control Module
(ACM) and is connected to the vehicle electrical sys-
tem through a dedicated take out of the body wire
harness by a keyed and latching molded plastic con-
nector insulator to ensure a secure connection.
The seat belt tensioner cannot be repaired and, if
faulty or damaged, the entire driver side front seat
belt and retractor unit must be replaced. The seat
belt tensioner is not intended for reuse and must be
replaced following a deployment. A locked retractor
that will not allow the seat belt webbing to be
retracted or extracted is a sure indication that the
seat belt tensioner has been deployed and requires
replacement. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RE-
STRAINTS/FRONT SEAT BELT & RETRACTOR -
REMOVAL).
OPERATION
The seat belt tensioner is deployed by a signal gen-
erated by the Airbag Control Module (ACM) through
the driver seat belt tensioner line 1 and line 2 (or
squib) circuits. When the ACM sends the proper elec-
trical signal to the tensioner, the electrical energy
generates enough heat to initiate a small pyrotechnic
gas generator. The gas generator is installed in one
end of the tubular metal piston housing, which con-
tains a piston and a small rack gear. As the gas
expands, it pushes the piston and the rack gear
Fig. 34 Seat Belt Tensioner
1 - RETRACTOR
2 - TENSIONER HOUSING
3 - PISTON HOUSING
4 - PIGTAIL WIRE
5 - GAS GENERATOR
8O - 36 RESTRAINTSKJ
SEAT BELT SWITCH (Continued)