Page 36 of 273

4. If your vehicle has side airbags, do not lean against the
door, airbags will inflate forcefully into the space be-
tween you and the door.
WARNING!
•Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions the airbags won’t deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you
have airbags.
•Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel during airbag deployment could cause
serious injury.
•Airbags need room to inflate. Sit back, comfort-
ably extending your arms to reach the steering
wheel or instrument panel.
•If the vehicle has side airbags, they also need
room to inflate. Do not lean against the door. Sit
upright in the center of the seat.
Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
•ACM (Airbag Control Module)
•AIRBAG Readiness Light
•Driver and Passenger Front Airbags
•Optional Driver and Passenger Side Airbags.
•Steering Wheel and Column
•Instrument Panel
•Interconnecting Wiring
•Crash Sensors
•Knee Impact Bolsters
The side airbag system, on vehicles so equipped, consists
of the following:
•AIRBAG Readiness Light
•Side Airbag in the Driver’s Seat
•Side Airbag in the Passenger’s Seat
36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 37 of 273

•ACM (Airbag Control Module)
•SIACM (Side Impact Airbag Control Module)
•Interconnecting Wiring
How the Frontal Airbag System Works
•
The front airbag control module determines if a frontal
collision is severe enough to require the airbags to
inflate.
•The airbag control module will not detect side, roll
over, or rear collisions.
•The airbag control module also monitors the readiness
of the electronic parts of the system whenever the
ignition switch is in the START or RUN positions.
These include all of the items listed above except the
knee bolsters, the instrument panel, and the steering
wheel and column. If the key is in the OFF position, in
the ACC position, or not in the ignition, the airbags are
not on and will not inflate.
•The airbag control module also turns on the
AIRBAG light in the instrument panel for 6 to
8 seconds when the ignition is first turned on,
then turns the light off. If it detects a malfunction in
any part of the system, it turns on the light either
momentarily or continuously.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG light in your instrument panel
could mean you won’t have the airbags to protect
you in a collision. If the light does not come on, stays
on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you
drive, have the airbag system checked right away.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 37
2
Page 40 of 273

•In moderate to severe side collisions, the side airbag
inflator on the crash side of the vehicle is triggered,
releasing a quantity of nontoxic gas. The inflating side
airbag exits through the seat seam into the space
between the occupant and the door. The side airbag
moves at a very high speed and with such a high force,
that it could injure you if you are not seated properly,
or if items are positioned in the area where the side
airbag inflates. This especially applies to children.Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbag is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the airbag covers. Do not modify the
front bumper or vehicle body structure.
•You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee impact bolsters.
•It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 230 of 273

11. Reinstall the upper crossmember attachments, head-
lamp jackscrews, windshield filler neck screw and speed
control servo screw.
Front Park and Turn Signal Light
1. Remove the headlight assembly from the vehicle.
2. Turn the park/turn signal bulb and socket assembly
counterclockwise and remove it from the housing.
3. Pull the bulb from the socket and install a new bulb.
4. Reinstall the bulb and socket assembly.
5. Reinstall the headlight assembly.
Front Sidemarker Light
1. Reach up under the fascia and grasp the light bulb
socket.
2. Turn the socket counterclockwise to remove it from
the housing.
3. Pull the bulb out of the socket.
4. Replace the bulb and reinstall the socket. Turn the
socket clockwise to secure it in the housing.
Fog Light
1. Remove the screw securing the fog light to the fascia
and pull the light away from the vehicle to expose the
bulb.
2. Remove the bulb by turning counter-clockwise. Pull
the bulb out of the light housing.
3. Remove the wiring connector from the bulb.
4. Insert new bulb and turn clockwise.
230 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 231 of 273
5. Connect the wiring connector to the new bulb and
reinstall the assembly.
Center Stop Light
1. Open the trunk and reach up under the package shelf.
2. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and remove it
from the housing.
3. Pull the bulb from the socket and replace the bulb.
4. Reinstall the bulb and socket assembly.
Tail, Stop, Back Up, and Turn Signal Lights
1. Open the trunk and remove the fasteners securing the
light housing to the body.
2. Pull the light housing from the body to expose the
wiring socket.
3. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove from
the housing. Pull the bulb out of the socket and remove
the bulb.
4. Replace the bulb, reinstall the bulb and socket assem-
bly and reattach the light housing.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 231
7