REMOVAL - NGC CONTROLLER
The PCM engine control strategy prevents reduced
idle speeds until after the engine operates for 320 km
(200 miles). If the PCM is replaced after 320 km (200
miles) of usage, update the mileage and vehicle iden-
tification number (VIN) in the new PCM. Use the
DRBIIItscan tool to change the millage and VIN in
the PCM. If this step is not done a Diagnostic Trou-
ble Code (DTC) may be set. Refer to the appropriate
Powertrain Diagnostic Manual and the DRBIIItscan
tool.
(1) Turn wheels to the left.
(2) Disconnect the negative battery cable.
(3) Raise vehicle and support.
(4) Remove the left front wheel well splash shield
(Fig. 13).
(5) Unlock and disconnect the electrical connectors
(Fig. 14).
(6) Remove 3 screws from PCM to mounting
bracket.
(7) Remove the PCM.
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - SBEC CONTROLLER
(1) Install the PCM.
(2) Install the lower PCM mounting bolt. Tighten
bolt.
(3) Install the 2 upper PCM bracket bolts. Tighten
bolt.
(4) Install the headlamp, refer to the Lamps sec-
tion for more information.
(5) Install the 2 PCM connectors.(6) Install the battery shield, refer to the Battery
section for more information.
(7) Connect the negative battery cable.
INSTALLATION
The PCM engine control strategy prevents reduced
idle speeds until after the engine operates for 320 km
(200 miles). If the PCM is replaced after 320 km (200
miles) of usage, update the mileage and vehicle iden-
tification number (VIN) in the new PCM. Use the
DRBIIItscan tool to change the millage and VIN in
the PCM. If this step is not done a diagnostic trouble
code (DTC) may be set and SKIM must be done or
car will not start if it is a SKIM equipped car. If a
SKIM car you must do a secret key transfer also.
NGC CONTROLLER LOCATION
Fig. 13 SPLASH SHIELD
Fig. 14 NGC CONTROLLER
RSELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES8E-17
POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (Continued)
REMOVAL - 3.3/3.8L
(1) Release hood latch and open hood.
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(3) Hoist and support vehicle on safety stands.
(4) Remove nut holding B+ terminal to starter
solenoid (Fig. 5).
(5) Disconnect solenoid connector from starter.
(6) Remove bolts holding starter to transaxle bell-
housing (Fig. 6).
(7) Remove starter from bellhousing (Fig. 7).(8) Separate starter spacer from transaxle bell-
housing.
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - 2.4L
(1) Place starter in position on vehicle.
(2) Install the lower bolts to hold starter to trans-
axle bellhousing.
(3) Install the upper bolt and ground wire (Fig. 4).
(4) Place solenoid and B+ wires in position on
starter terminals (Fig. 3).
(5) Install nut to hold B+ wire to terminal.
(6) Connect solenoid wire connector onto terminal.
Fig. 4 Upper Bolt and Ground Wire
Fig. 5 Starter
1 - SOLENOID CONNECTOR
2 - B+ CONNECTOR
Fig. 6 Starter Bolts
1-STARTER
2 - STARTER BOLTS
3 - TRANSAXLE
4 - ENGINE MOUNT
Fig. 7 STARTER 3.3/3.8L
1 - BELL HOUSING PLATE
2 - FLYWHEEL
3 - ENGINE MOUNT
4-STARTER
5 - SPACER
RSSTARTING8F-35
STARTER MOTOR (Continued)
(7) Connect battery negative cable.
(8) Verify starter operation.
INSTALLATION - 3.3/3.8L
(1) Place starter spacer in position on transaxle
bellhousing, flange toward flywheel.
(2) Place starter in position on bellhousing.(3) Install bolts and ground wire (Fig. 4) to hold
starter to transaxle bellhousing.
(4) Connect solenoid connector into starter.
(5) Install nut to hold B+ terminal to starter sole-
noid.
(6) Lower vehicle.
(7) Connect battery negative cable.
(8) Verify starter operation.
8F - 36 STARTINGRS
STARTER MOTOR (Continued)
(9) Remove accessory drive belt, refer to the Cool-
ing System section for proper procedures. (10) Remove the generator.
REMOVAL - 2.5L
(1) Disconnect the negative battery cable (Fig. 1).
(2) Remove the engine cover (Fig. 2).
(3) Raise vehicle and support.
(4) Turn wheels to the right. Remove the right
front splash shield (Fig. 3). (5) Remove the generator drive belt (Fig. 4).
(6) Lower vehicle.
(7) Disconnect the generator battery connection
(Fig. 5). (8) Disconnect the field connection (Fig. 5).
(9) Relocate the wiring harness on upper generator
bracket (Fig. 6). (10) Remove the Air Cleaner Box (Fig. 7).
(11) Remove the 2 lower mounting Bolts (Fig. 8).
(12) Remove generator.
Fig. 1 BATTERY CONNECTION
Fig. 2 ENGINE COVER
Fig. 3 SPLASH SHIELD
Fig. 4 GENERATOR BELT
8Fs - 24 CHARGINGRS
GENERATOR (Continued)
(5) Remove the starter mounting bolts (Fig. 9).
(6) Remove the starter.
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - 2.4L
(1) Place starter in position on vehicle.
(2) Install the lower bolts to hold starter to trans-
axle bellhousing. (3) Install the upper bolt and ground wire (Fig. 4). (4) Place solenoid and B+ wires in position on
starter terminals (Fig. 3). (5) Install nut to hold B+ wire to terminal.
(6) Connect solenoid wire connector onto terminal.
(7) Connect battery negative cable.
(8) Verify starter operation.
INSTALLATION - 3.3/3.8L
(1) Place starter spacer in position on transaxle
bellhousing, flange toward flywheel. (2) Place starter in position on bellhousing.
(3) Install bolts and ground wire (Fig. 4) to hold
starter to transaxle bellhousing. (4) Connect solenoid connector into starter.
Fig. 4 Upper Bolt and Ground Wire
Fig. 5 Starter
1 - SOLENOID CONNECTOR
2 - B+ CONNECTOR
Fig. 6 Starter Bolts
1-STARTER
2 - STARTER BOLTS
3 - TRANSAXLE
4 - ENGINE MOUNT
Fig. 7 STARTER 3.3/3.8L
1 - BELL HOUSING PLATE
2 - FLYWHEEL
3 - ENGINE MOUNT
4-STARTER
5 - SPACER
RS STARTING8Fs-37
STARTER MOTOR (Continued)
(3) Connect the electrical connector to the ignition
coil.
(4) Install the ignition cables to the ignition coil.
(5) Reposition the Power steering reservoir. Slide
bracket over the mounting stud (Fig. 11).
(6) Install 2 bolts to the Power steering reservoir
to intake manifold.
(7) Tighten the lower nut to stud on ignition coil
bracket.
(8) Install the throttle and speed control cables to
clip.
(9) Connect the negative battery cable.
KNOCK SENSOR
DESCRIPTION
The knock sensor threads into the cylinder block.
The knock sensor is designed to detect engine vibra-
tion that is caused by detonation.
OPERATION
When the knock sensor detects a knock in one of
the cylinders, it sends an input signal to the PCM. In
response, the PCM retards ignition timing for all cyl-
inders by a scheduled amount.
Knock sensors contain a piezoelectric material
which constantly vibrates and sends an input voltage
(signal) to the PCM while the engine operates. As the
intensity of the crystal's vibration increases, the
knock sensor output voltage also increases.
The voltage signal produced by the knock sensor
increases with the amplitude of vibration. The PCM
receives as an input the knock sensor voltage signal.
If the signal rises above a predetermined level, the
PCM will store that value in memory and retard
ignition timing to reduce engine knock. If the knock
sensor voltage exceeds a preset value, the PCM
retards ignition timing for all cylinders. It is not a
selective cylinder retard.
The PCM ignores knock sensor input during engine
idle conditions. Once the engine speed exceeds a
specified value, knock retard is allowed.Knock retard uses its own short term and long
term memory program.
Long term memory stores previous detonation
information in its battery-backed RAM. The maxi-
mum authority that long term memory has over tim-
ing retard can be calibrated.
Short term memory is allowed to retard timing up
to a preset amount under all operating conditions (as
long as rpm is above the minimum rpm) except WOT.
The PCM, using short term memory, can respond
quickly to retard timing when engine knock is
detected. Short term memory is lost any time the
ignition key is turned off.
NOTE: Over or under tightening affects knock sen-
sor performance, possibly causing improper spark
control.
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - 2.4L
The knock sensor threads into the side of the cyl-
inder block in front of the starter (Fig. 12).
(1) Disconnect electrical connector from knock sen-
sor.
(2) Use a crow foot socket to remove the knock
sensors.
REMOVAL - 3.8L
The knock sensor threads into the side of the cyl-
inder block in the rear.
(1) Disconnect the negative battery cable.
(2) Raise vehicle and support.
(3) On All Wheel Drive vehicles remove the PTU
(Power Transfer Unit), refer to the Transmission sec-
tion for more information.
(4) Disconnect electrical connector from knock sen-
sor.
(5) Use a crow foot socket to remove the knock
sensor.
8I - 8 IGNITION CONTROLRS
IGNITION COIL (Continued)
OPERATION
The passenger airbag is equipped with two infla-
tors, each with three levels of pressure output. The
inflators seal the hole in the airbag cushion so it can
discharge the gas it produces directly into the cush-
ion when supplied with the proper electrical signal.
Following an airbag deployment, the airbag cushion
quickly deflates by venting this gas through the
cushion material towards the instrument panel.
The passenger airbag is secured with screws to the
instrument panel beneath the instrument panel top
pad and above the glove box opening. The instrument
panel top pad above the glove box opening conceals
the airbag door and a predetermined hinge line
beneath its decorative cover. Upon airbag deploy-
ment, the top pad will bend at the hinge line and the
door will fold back out of the way onto the top of the
instrument panel.
When the front airbag system is deployed, the fol-
lowingMUSTbe replaced:
²Complete Steering Column Assembly.
²Lower Steering Column Coupler.
²Steering Wheel.
²Clock Spring.
²Driver Airbag.
²Passenger Airbag.
²Upper Instrument Panel with Pad.
CARE OF UNDEPLOYED AIRBAGS
Airbags must be stored in their original special
container until used for service. At no time should a
source of electricity be permitted near the inflator on
the back of an airbag. When carrying or handling an
undeployed airbag, the trim side of the airbag should
be pointing away from the body to minimize possibil-
ity of injury if accidental deployment occurs. Do not
place undeployed airbag face down on a solid surface,
the airbag will propel into the air if accidental
deployment occurs.
REMOVAL
DEPLOYED AIRBAG
(1) Clean powder residue from interior of vehicle
(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STAN-
DARD PROCEDURE - SERVICE AFTER AN AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT).
(2) Remove instrument panel (Refer to 23 - BODY/
INSTRUMENT PANEL/INSTRUMENT PANEL
ASSEMBLY - REMOVAL).
(3) Remove all reusable components from the
upper instrument panel and transfer to the new
instrument panel.
UNDEPLOYED AIRBAG
(1) Open hood.
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(3) Wait two minutes for the airbag system reserve
capacitor to discharge before attempting any airbag
or instrument panel service.
(4) Remove center console bin between front seats.
(5) Remove left front door sill plate using a trim
stick (special tool #C-4755) or equivalent, and gently
prying up on sill plate.
(6) Remove left cowl panel using a trim stick or
equivalent, and gently prying out on cowl panel.
(7) Remove four screws to lower steering column
cover and remove cover.
(8) Unsnap parking brake lever from knee blocker
reinforcement.
(9) Remove Data Link Connector (DLC) from knee
blocker.
(10) Remove screws to knee blocker.
(11) Unsnap left A-pillar lower extension trim
using a trim stick or equivalent.
(12) Remove three left side instrument panel A-pil-
lar retaining bolts and loosen the instrument panel
roll down bolt.
(13) Remove four nuts at brake pedal support
bracket to instrument panel.
(14) Using a trim stick or equivalent, gently pry
off left side upper A-pillar trim.
(15) Remove six screws and two wiring connectors
to lower instrument panel cubby bin at bottom of
center stack.
(16) Remove two left side nuts at instrument panel
center stack support to floor.
(17) Remove two right side nuts at instrument
panel center stack support to floor.
(18) Remove right front door sill plate using a trim
stick or equivalent, and gently prying up on sill
plate.
(19) Remove right cowl panel using a trim stick or
equivalent, and gently prying out on cowl panel.
(20) Using a trim stick or equivalent, gently pry
out on right instrument panel end cap.
(21) Unsnap right A-pillar lower extension trim
using a trim stick or equivalent.
(22) Remove three right side instrument panel
A-pillar retaining bolts and loosen the instrument
panel roll down bolt.
(23) Using a trim stick or equivalent, gently pry
off right side upper A-pillar trim.
(24) Open glove box, pinch in sides and roll down
towards floor. With a firm pull, snap glove box door
off hinges and remove.
(25) Using a trim stick or equivalent, gently pry
up on rear of instrument panel top cover and then
pull rearward and out.
RSRESTRAINTS8O-9
PASSENGER AIRBAG (Continued)
INTEGRATED POWER MODULE
DESCRIPTION
The Integrated Power Module (IPM) is a combina-
tion of the Power Distribution Center (PDC) and the
Front Control Module (FCM). The IPM is located in
the engine compartment, next to the battery on this
model (Fig. 1). The power distribution center mates
directly with the Front Control Module (FCM) to
form the IPM Fuse and Relay Center. The power dis-
tribution center (PDC) is a printed circuit board
based module that contains fuses and relays, while
the front control module contains the electronics con-
trolling the IPM and other functions. This IPM con-
nects directly to the battery positive via a four pin
connector. The ground connection is via two other
connectors. The IPM provides the primary means of
voltage distribution and protection for the entire
vehicle.
The molded plastic IPM housing includes a base
and cover. The IPM cover is easily opened or removed
for service access by squeezing the two marked cover
latches and has a fuse and relay layout map integral
to the inside surface of the cover. This IPM housing
base and cover are secured in place by an IPM
mounting bracket. This mounting bracket is designed
to allow the IPM to rotate counter-clockwise once the
locking tab is disengaged. The IPM mounting bracketis secured in place by bolts threaded into the left
front wheel house.
OPERATION
All of the current from the battery and the gener-
ator output enters the Integrated Power Module
(IPM) via a four- pin connector on the bottom of the
module. The IPM cover is unlatched and opened or
removed to access the fuses or relays. Internal con-
nections of all of the power distribution center cir-
cuits is accomplished by a combination of bus bars
and a printed circuit board. Refer to the Wiring sec-
tion of the service manual for complete IPM circuit
schematics.
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect the negative and positive battery
cables.
(2) Remove the battery thermal guard from the
vehicle. Refer to the Battery section for the proce-
dure.
(3) Remove the battery from the vehicle. Refer to
the Battery section for the procedure.
(4) Using a flat-bladed screwdriver, twist the Inte-
grated Power Module (IPM) bracket retaining latch
outward to free the intelligent power module from its
mounting bracket (Fig. 2).
(5) Rotate the IPM counter-clockwise to access and
disconnect the various electrical connectors (Fig. 3).
(6) Free the IPM from its mounting bracket by
removing the IPM bracket clips from the hinge. A
screwdriver slipped up from under the hinge will free
the clips.
Fig. 1 BATTERY THERMAL GUARD
1 - BATTERY THERMAL GUARD
2 - INTEGRATED POWER MODULE
3 - FRONT CONTROL MODULE
Fig. 2 RELEASING INTEGRATED POWER MODULE
FROM ITS MOUNTING BRACKET
8W - 97 - 2 8W-97 POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMRS