WARNING: THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE,
COMPLEX ELECTRO-MECHANICAL UNIT. BEFORE
ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE, REMOVE OR INSTALL
THE AIR BAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS YOU MUST
FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY
NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE. THEN WAIT TWO
MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DIS-
CHARGE. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN
ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG AND
POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY. THE FASTENERS,
SCREWS, AND BOLTS, ORIGINALLY USED FOR
THE AIR BAG COMPONENTS, HAVE SPECIAL
COATINGS AND ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED
FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THEY MUST NEVER
BE REPLACED WITH ANY SUBSTITUTES. ANYTIME
A NEW FASTENER IS NEEDED, REPLACE WITH
THE CORRECT FASTENERS PROVIDED IN THE
SERVICE PACKAGE OR FASTENERS LISTED IN
THE PARTS BOOKS.
WARNING: SAFETY GOGGLES SHOULD BE WORN
AT ALL TIMES WHEN WORKING ON STEERING
COLUMNS.
CAUTION: Disconnect negative (ground) cable from
the battery before servicing any column compo-
nent.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove the pivot pins
to disassemble the tilting mechanism. Damage will
occur.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - STEERING
COLUMN
For diagnosis of conditions relating to the steering
column (Refer to 19 - STEERING - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING) and (Refer to 19 - STEERING - DIAGNO-
SIS AND TESTING).
REMOVAL
NOTE: Before proceeding, (Refer to 19 - STEERING/
COLUMN - WARNING).
(1) Make sure the front wheels of the vehicle are
in the STRAIGHT AHEAD position before beginning
the column removal procedure.
(2) Disconnect negative (ground) cable from the
battery and isolate cable from battery terminal.
(3) Remove the lower shroud (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/COLUMN/LOWER SHROUD - REMOV-
AL).
(4) Remove the traction off switch.
(5) Remove the upper shroud.
(6) Remove the cluster trim bezel (Refer to 23 -
BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/CLUSTER BEZEL -
REMOVAL).
(7) Remove the knee blocker (Refer to 23 - BODY/
INSTRUMENT PANEL/STEERING COLUMN
OPENING COVER - REMOVAL).
(8) Remove the parking brake handle link.
(9) Remove the knee blocker reinforcement (Refer
to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/KNEE
BLOCKER - REMOVAL).
(10) Remove the airbag (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/RESTRAINTS/DRIVER AIRBAG - REMOVAL).
(11) Remove the steering wheel retaining nut.
(12) Remove the vibration damper weight.
(13) Remove the steering wheel (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/COLUMN/STEERING WHEEL -
REMOVAL). (Fig. 3)
(14) Disconnect the wiring harness connectors
from the clockspring, multi-function switch, halo
lamp, SKIM module, ignition switch and BTSI sole-
noid.
(15) Disconnect the shift cable at the lever. (Fig. 4)
(16) Remove the pinch side clip, then remove the
cable from the bracket on the column.
(17) Remove the pinch bolt coupling. (Fig. 5)
(18) Loosen the two lower mounting nuts.
(19) Remove the two upper mounting nuts
(20) Remove the steering column.
1 - CLOCKSPRING WIRING
2 - STEERING WHEEL
3 - UPPER SHROUD
4 - FIXED SHROUD
5 - SCREW
6 - STEERING COLUMN MOUNTING PLATE
7 - NUT
8 - DASH PANEL STEERING COLUMN MOUNTING BRACKET
9 - STUDS (4)
10 - STEERING COLUMN LOCKING PIN
11 - NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLY
12 - STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY
13 - LOWER SHROUD
14 - SCREWS
15 - STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT16 - STEERING WHEEL DAMPER
17 - CLOCKSPRING
18 - SCREW
19 - MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH
20 - PINCH BOLT
21 - STEERING COLUMN COUPLER
22 - PINCH BOLT RETAINING PIN
23 - DASH PANEL
24 - SILENCER SHELL
25 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT SHIELD AND SEAL
26 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
27 - ROLL PIN
28 - POWER STEERING GEAR
29 - FRONT SUSPENSION CRADLE/CROSSMEMBER
19 - 12 COLUMNRS
COLUMN (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com
INSTALLATION
The ignition switch attaches to the lock cylinder
housing on the end opposite the lock cylinder (Fig. 7)
. For ignition switch terminal and circuit identifica-
tion, refer to the Wiring Diagrams section.
(1) Ensure the ignition switch is in the RUN posi-
tion and the actuator shaft in the lock housing is in
the RUN position.
(2) Install electrical connectors to ignition switch.
(3) Carefully install the ignition switch. The
switch will snap over the retaining tabs (Fig. 16) .
Install mounting screw (Fig. 12).
(4) Install upper and lower shrouds.(5) Install key cylinder (cylinder retaining tab will
depress only in the RUN position).
(6) Connect negative cable to battery.
(7) Check for proper operation of ignition switch
and key-in warning switch.
Fig. 13 Ignition Switch Retaining Tab
1 - IGNITION SWITCH
2 - RETAINING TAB
Fig. 14 Removing Ignition Switch
1 - IGNITION SWITCH
2 - RETAINING TAB
Fig. 15 Ignition Switch Connectors
1 - KEY IN SWITCH
2 - PRNDL SWITCH
3 - IGNITION SWITCH
Fig. 16 Ignition Switch Installation
1 - IGNITION SWITCH
2 - ACTUATOR SHAFT
3 - RETAINING TABS
19 - 16 COLUMNRS
IGNITION SWITCH (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com
LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING
DESCRIPTION - IGNITION INTERLOCK
All vehicles equipped with automatic transaxles
have an interlock system. The system prevents shift-
ing the vehicle out of Park unless the ignition lock
cylinder is in the Unlock, Run or Start position. In
addition, the operator cannot rotate the key to the
lock position unless the shifter is in the park posi-
tion. On vehicles equipped with floor shift refer to
the - Transaxle for Automatic Transmission Shifter/
Ignition Interlock.
REMOVAL
NOTE: Before proceeding, review all Steering Col-
umn and Airbag Warnings and Cautions. (Refer to
19 - STEERING/COLUMN - WARNING)(Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - WARNING)
(1) Remove battery ground cable terminal from
battery negative post and isolate.
(2) Under instrument panel, remove silencer panel
below lower steering column cover.
(3) Remove screws securing lower steering column
cover/knee blocker, then remove it (Fig. 17).
(4) Disconnect parking brake release link at
release handle.
(5) Compress tabs on sides of data link diagnostic
connector and remove it from knee blocker reinforce-
ment plate.(6) Remove screws securing knee blocker reinforce-
ment plate in place, then remove reinforcement plate
(Fig. 17).
(7) Remove the upper and lower column shrouds.
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/COLUMN/LOWER
SHROUD - REMOVAL)
(8) Unsnap the trim bezel on the instrument panel
between the instrument cluster and the steering col-
umn.
(9) Remove the 2 screws securing the steering col-
umn fixed shroud to the steering column (Fig. 18),
then remove the shroud.
(10) Remove the two screws holding the metal
cover in place below the shifter/ignition interlock
linkage (Fig. 19), then remove the cover.
Fig. 17 Lower Steering Column Cover And
Reinforcement
1 - INSTRUMENT PANEL
2 - REINFORCEMENT PLATE
3 - LOWER STEERING COLUMN COVER/KNEE BLOCKER
Fig. 18 Fixed Shroud Mounting
1 - SCREWS
2 - SHROUD
Fig. 19 Cover Removal/Installation
1 - IGNITION SWITCH
2 - SCREW
3 - COVER
RSCOLUMN19-17
ProCarManuals.com
SHROUD - UPPER
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the two shroud-to-shroud mounting
screws from the lower shroud (Fig. 32).
(2) Unsnap the upper shroud from the lower on
the left side as follows:
(a) Hook a finger on the left hand around the
rear of the shrouds at the seam (Fig. 33), near the
snap points.
(b) Grasp the upper shroud at the rear using the
right hand (Fig. 33).
(c) As the left hand's hooked finger is pulled out-
ward against the seam, pull the upper shroud
upward using the right hand, disconnecting the
shroud snaps.
(3) Unsnap the upper shroud from the lower on
the right side as follows:
(a) Hook a finger on the right hand around the
rear of the shrouds at the seam (Fig. 34), near the
snap points.
(b) Grasp the upper shroud at the rear using the
left hand (Fig. 34).
(c) As the right hand's hooked finger is pulled
outward against the seam, pull the upper shroud
upward using the left hand, disconnecting the
shroud snaps.
(4) Lift the upper shroud straight up off the steer-
ing column. If vehicle is equipped with traction con-
trol, disconnect wiring connector at traction control
switch pig tail. If vehicle is equipped with power fold-
away mirrors (Export), disconnect wiring connector
at mirror switch pig tail. Remove upper shroud.
(5) If vehicle is equipped with traction control,
remove traction control switch from shroud.
(6) If vehicle is equipped with power foldaway mir-
rors (Export), remove power fold-away switch from
upper shroud.
INSTALLATION
(1) If the vehicle is equipped with power foldaway
mirrors (Export), install the power fold-away switch
in the upper shroud.
(2) If vehicle is equipped with traction control,
install the traction control switch in the upper
shroud.
(3) Place the upper shroud over the lower shroud,
aligning the snap clips and alignment tabs. If the
vehicle is equipped with traction control, connect the
wiring connector at the traction control switch pig
tail before lining the shrouds up to one another.
(4) Snap the upper shroud to the lower shroud.
Once snapped into place, verify there are no gaps
between the two mating surfaces of the shrouds.(5) Install the two shroud-to-shroud mounting
screws (Fig. 32). Tighten the screws to 2 N´m (17 in.
lbs.) torque.
(6) Ensure that the shrouds are snug and fit is
acceptable.
STEERING WHEEL
REMOVAL
NOTE: Before proceeding, (Refer to 19 - STEERING/
COLUMN - WARNING)(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RE-
STRAINTS - WARNING).
(1) Adjust the steering wheel so that the tires are
in thestraight-aheadposition.
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(3) Remove the two bolts from the rear of the
steering wheel attaching the driver airbag. Lift the
airbag from the steering wheel.
(4) Disconnect airbag squib wiring connectors from
the airbag and the horn/speed control switch pigtail
connector from the clockspring (Fig. 35). If the steer-
ing wheel is equipped with remote radio controls, dis-
connect the connector from the clockspring (Fig. 36).
Properly store the driver airbag out of the way.
(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - WARN-
ING)
(5) Remove the steering wheel retaining nut from
the steering column shaft (Fig. 36).
(6) Remove the steering wheel damper from the
steering wheel (Fig. 36).
Fig. 35 Airbag Wiring Connections
1 - AIRBAG FEED SQUIB CONNECTORS
2 - DRIVER AIRBAG
3 - HORN/SPEED CONTROL CONNECTOR
4 - CLOCKSPRING
RSCOLUMN19-23
ProCarManuals.com
GEAR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
GEAR
DESCRIPTION.........................26
OPERATION...........................27
WARNING
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS.............27
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - LHD GEAR.................27
REMOVAL - RHD GEAR................31INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - LHD GEAR.............32
INSTALLATION - RHD GEAR.............33
SPECIAL TOOLS
POWER STEERING GEAR..............34
OUTER TIE ROD
REMOVAL.............................34
INSTALLATION.........................34
GEAR
DESCRIPTION
This vehicle is equipped with a rack and pinion
power steering gear (Fig. 1). It is mounted to the
underside of the front suspension cradle/crossmem-
ber.
The steering column is attached to the gear
through the use of an intermediate shaft and cou-plers. The outer ends of the power steering gear's
outer tie rods connect to the steering knuckles.
NOTE: The power steering gear should NOT be ser-
viced or adjusted unless DaimlerChrysler Corpora-
tion authorizes. If a malfunction or oil leak occurs,
the complete steering gear should be replaced.
Only the outer tie rods may be replaced separately
from the rest of the gear.
Fig. 1 Power Steering Gear (Typical)
1 - TIE ROD JAM NUT
2 - INNER TIE ROD
3 - STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BRACKET
4 - POWER STEERING GEAR FLUID LINES
5 - STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
6 - INNER TIE ROD7 - OUTER TIE ROD
8 - TIE ROD JAM NUT
9 - BOOT/BELLOWS
10 - STEERING GEAR BOOT BREATHER TUBE
11 - BOOT/BELLOWS
12 - OUTER TIE ROD
19 - 26 GEARRS
ProCarManuals.com
OPERATION
Turning of the steering wheel is converted into lin-
ear (side-to-side) travel through the meshing of the
helical pinion teeth with the rack teeth in the steer-
ing gear. This travel pushes and pulls the tie rods to
change the direction of the vehicle's front wheels.
Power assist steering provided by the power steer-
ing pump is controlled by an open center, rotary type
control valve which directs oil from the pump to
either side of the integral rack piston upon demand.
Road feel is controlled by the diameter of a torsion
bar which initially steers the vehicle. As required
steering effort increases, as in a turn, the torsion bar
twists, causing relative rotary motion between the
rotary valve body and the valve spool. This move-
ment directs oil behind the integral rack piston
which, in turn, builds hydraulic pressure and assists
in the turning effort.
Manual steering control of the vehicle can be main-
tained if power steering assist is lost. However,
under this condition, steering effort is significantly
increased.
WARNING
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
WARNING: POWER STEERING FLUID, ENGINE
PARTS AND EXHAUST SYSTEM MAY BE
EXTREMELY HOT IF ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING.
DO NOT START ENGINE WITH ANY LOOSE OR DIS-
CONNECTED HOSES. DO NOT ALLOW HOSES TO
TOUCH HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYST.
WARNING: FLUID LEVEL SHOULD BE CHECKED
WITH THE ENGINE OFF TO PREVENT PERSONAL
INJURY FROM MOVING PARTS.
CAUTION: When the system is open, cap all open
ends of the hoses, power steering pump fittings or
power steering gear ports to prevent entry of for-
eign material into the components.
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - LHD GEAR
(1) Remove cap from power steering fluid reser-
voir.
(2) Using a siphon pump, remove as much fluid as
possible from the power steering fluid reservoir.Use
care not to damage the filter mesh below the
fluid surface.
CAUTION: Locking the steering column in the
straight-ahead position will prevent the clockspring
from being accidentally over-extended when the
steering column is disconnected from the interme-
diate steering coupler.
(3) Position the steering wheel in the STRAIGHT-
AHEAD position. Lock the steering wheel in place
using a steering wheel holding tool.
(4) With the vehicle on the ground, disconnect the
steering column shaft coupler from the steering gear
intermediate coupler (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2 Steering Column Shaft To Intermediate Shaft
Attachment
1 - STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLER
2 - NUT
3 - SAFETY PIN
4 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
5 - PINCH BOLT
RSGEAR19-27
GEAR (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com
PUMP
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
PUMP
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION - PUMP (2.4L/3.3L/3.8L
ENGINE)............................36
DESCRIPTION - PUMP (2.5L DIESEL)......36
OPERATION...........................37
WARNING.............................37
CAUTION.............................37
STANDARD PROCEDURE - POWER
STEERING PUMP INITIAL OPERATION.....37
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - PUMP (2.4L ENGINE).........38
REMOVAL - PUMP (3.3L/3.8L ENGINE).....40
REMOVAL - PUMP (2.5L DIESEL).........40
DISASSEMBLY - PUMP (PULLEY)..........41
ASSEMBLY - PUMP (PULLEY).............41
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - PUMP (2.4L ENGINE).....42
INSTALLATION - PUMP (3.3L/3.8L ENGINE) . 43
INSTALLATION - PUMP (2.5L DIESEL)......43
SPECIAL TOOLS
POWER STEERING PUMP..............43
FLUID
STANDARD PROCEDURE - POWER
STEERING FLUID LEVEL CHECKING......44
FLUID COOLER
DESCRIPTION.........................44
OPERATION...........................44
REMOVAL.............................44
INSTALLATION.........................45
HOSE - POWER STEERING PRESSURE
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - 2.4L ENGINE...............45REMOVAL - 3.3L/3.8L ENGINE...........45
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - 2.4L ENGINE...........46
INSTALLATION - 3.3L/3.8L ENGINE........47
HOSE - POWER STEERING RETURN
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - 2.4L ENGINE...............48
REMOVAL - 3.3L/3.8L ENGINE...........48
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - 2.4L ENGINE...........49
INSTALLATION - 3.3L/3.8L ENGINE........49
HOSE - POWER STEERING SUPPLY
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - 2.4L ENGINE...............50
REMOVAL - 3.3L/3.8L ENGINE...........50
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - 2.4L ENGINE...........50
INSTALLATION - 3.3L/3.8L ENGINE........50
RESERVOIR - POWER STEERING FLUID
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION - 2.4L/3.3L/3.8L ENGINE....51
DESCRIPTION - 2.5L DIESEL............51
OPERATION...........................51
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - 2.4L ENGINE...............51
REMOVAL - 3.3L/3.8L ENGINE...........51
REMOVAL - 2.5L DIESEL................51
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - 2.4L ENGINE...........52
INSTALLATION - 3.3L/3.8L ENGINE........52
INSTALLATION - 2.5L DIESEL............52
PUMP
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION - PUMP (2.4L/3.3L/3.8L
ENGINE)
Hydraulic pressure for the operation of the power
steering gear is provided by a belt driven power
steering pump. The power steering pump is mounted
on the back side of the engine on all engine applica-
tions. The pumps are different depending on the
engine option. The pump for the 2.4L engine is madeout of cast iron and steel (Fig. 1). The pump used on
the 3.3L/3.8L engine is made of aluminum (Fig. 2).
The pump for the 3.3L/3.8L engine does not have a
return fitting as the pump for the 2.4L engine does.
The power steering return hose on the 3.3L/3.8L
engine goes to the reservoir instead of the pump.DESCRIPTION - PUMP (2.5L DIESEL)
Hydraulic pressure for the operation of the power
steering gear is provided by a belt driven power
steering pump. The power steering pump is mounted
front lower right corner of the engine (Fig. 13).
The pump has a supply fitting for fluid coming
from the reservoir and a pressure port for exiting
fluid that is headed for the steering gear.
19 - 36 PUMPRS
ProCarManuals.com
OPERATION
The power steering pump is a constant displace-
ment vane type pump. The 2.4L pump has an inte-
gral fluid reservoir and there is a secondary remote
non-flow reservoir which acts only as a fluid fill and
check point. The 3.3L/3.8L pump houses very little
fluid and is therefore supplied by a remote flow
through reservoir.
WARNING
WARNING: POWER STEERING FLUID, ENGINE
PARTS AND EXHAUST SYSTEM MAY BE
EXTREMELY HOT IF ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING.DO NOT START ENGINE WITH ANY LOOSE OR DIS-
CONNECTED HOSES. DO NOT ALLOW HOSES TO
TOUCH HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYST.
WARNING: FLUID LEVEL SHOULD BE CHECKED
WITH THE ENGINE OFF TO PREVENT PERSONAL
INJURY FROM MOVING PARTS.
CAUTION
CAUTION: When the system is open, cap all open
ends of the hoses, power steering pump fittings or
power steering gear ports to prevent entry of for-
eign material into the components.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - POWER STEERING
PUMP INITIAL OPERATION
WARNING: FLUID LEVEL SHOULD BE CHECKED
AND ADJUSTED WITH ENGINE OFF TO PREVENT
INJURY FROM MOVING ENGINE COMPONENTS.
CAUTION: Use only MoparTAutomatic Transmis-
sion Fluid (MS-9602) in power steering system. Use
of other MoparTpower steering fluids (MS5931 and
MS9933) should be avoided to ensure peak perfor-
mance of the power steering system under all oper-
ating conditions. Do not overfill.
Read the fluid level through the side of the power
steering fluid reservoir. The fluid level should indi-
cateªFILL RANGEºwhen the fluid is at a temper-
ature of approximately 21ÉC to 27ÉC (70ÉF to 80ÉF).
(1) Wipe the filler cap and area clean, then remove
the cap.
(2) Fill the fluid reservoir to the proper level and
let the fluid settle for at least two (2) minutes.
(3) Start the engine and let run for a few seconds,
then turn the engine off.
(4) Add fluid if necessary. Repeat the above steps
until the fluid level remains constant after running
the engine.
(5) Raise the front wheels off the ground.
(6) Start the engine.
(7) Slowly turn the steering wheel right and left,
lightly contacting the wheel stops.
(8) Add fluid if necessary.
(9) Lower the vehicle, then turn the steering wheel
slowly from lock-to-lock.
(10) Stop the engine. Check the fluid level and
refill as required.
(11) If the fluid is extremely foamy, allow the vehi-
cle to stabilize a few minutes, then repeat the above
procedure.
Fig. 1 POWER STEERING PUMP (2.4L)
1 - PULLEY
2 - BRACKET
3 - PRESSURE FITTING
4 - RETURN FITTING
5 - SUPPLY FITTING
Fig. 2 POWER STEERING PUMP (3.3L/3.8L)
1 - SUPPLY FITTING
2 - PRESSURE FITTING
3 - PULLEY
RSPUMP19-37
PUMP (Continued)
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