Page 1017 of 2305

(3) Remove the two screws that secure the passen-
ger airbag door upper clips to the instrument panel
base trim.
(4) Remove the three screws that secure the flange
of the passenger airbag housing to the bracket on the
instrument panel structural support.
(5) Pull the passenger airbag unit rearward to dis-
engage the airbag door from the lower clips and far
enough to access the electrical connection on the
right end of the unit.CAUTION: Do not pull on the wires to disengage
the connector from the passenger airbag inflator
connector receptacle. Improper removal of the con-
nector insulator can result in damage to the airbag
circuits or the connector insulator.
(6) The vehicle wire harness connector is a tight
snap-fit into the airbag inflator connector receptacle,
which is located on the right end of the passenger
airbag housing. Firmly grasp and pull or gently pry
on the connector insulator and pull the connector
Fig. 29 Passenger Airbag Remove/Install
1 - TRAY
2 - SCREW (2)
3 - UPPER CLIP (2)
4 - LOWER CLIP (2)
5 - CONNECTOR
6 - PASSENGER AIRBAG
7 - SCREW (3)
8O - 26 RESTRAINTSVA
Page 1018 of 2305

straight out from the inflator to disconnect it from
the receptacle.
(7) Remove the passenger airbag and airbag door
from the instrument panel as a unit.
INSTALLATION
The following procedure is for replacement of a
faulty or damaged passenger airbag. If the airbag is
faulty or damaged, but not deployed, review the rec-
ommended procedures for handling non-deployed
supplemental restraints. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - HAN-
DLING NON-DEPLOYED SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINTS). 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 PRO-
CEDURE - SERVICE AFTER A SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT).
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, on
vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supple-
mental restraint system before attempting any
steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt
tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel com-
ponent diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate
the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two
minutes for the system capacitor to discharge
before performing further diagnosis or service. This
is the only sure way to disable the supplemental
restraint system. Failure to take the proper precau-
tions could result in accidental airbag deployment.
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, use
extreme care to prevent any foreign material from
entering the passenger 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 deployment.
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, the
passenger airbag door must never be painted.
Replacement passenger airbags are serviced with
doors in the original colors. Paint may change the
way in which the material of the airbag door
responds to an airbag deployment. Failure to
observe this warning could result in occupant inju-
ries upon airbag deployment.
(1) Carefully position the passenger airbag and
airbag door unit to the instrument panel (Fig. 29).
(2) When installing the passenger airbag, recon-
nect the vehicle wire harness connector to the airbag
inflator connector receptacle by pressing straight in
on the connector. You can be certain that the connec-tor is fully engaged by listening carefully for a dis-
tinct, audible click as the connector snaps into place.
(3) Push the passenger airbag unit forward far
enough to engage the lower edge of the airbag door
with the two lower clips in the instrument panel.
(4) Install and tighten the two screws that secure
the flange of the passenger airbag housing to the
bracket on the instrument panel structural support.
Tighten the screws to 10 N´m (89 in. lbs.).
(5) Install and tighten the two screws that secure
the passenger airbag door upper clips to the instru-
ment panel base trim. Tighten the screws to 2 N´m
(18 in. lbs.).
(6) Reinstall the instrument panel top cover tray
onto the instrument panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/IN-
STRUMENT PANEL/INSTRUMENT PANEL TOP
COVER - TRAY - INSTALLATION).
(7) Do not reconnect the battery negative cable at
this time. The supplemental restraint system verifi-
cation test procedure should be performed following
service of any supplemental restraint system compo-
nent. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - VERIFICATION TEST).
PASSENGER AIRBAG
BRACKET
REMOVAL
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, on
vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supple-
mental restraint system before attempting any
steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt
tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel com-
ponent diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate
the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two
minutes for the system capacitor to discharge
before performing further diagnosis or service. This
is the only sure way to disable the supplemental
restraint system. Failure to take the proper precau-
tions could result in accidental airbag deployment.
(1) Remove the passenger airbag from the instru-
ment panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RE-
STRAINTS/PASSENGER AIRBAG - REMOVAL).
(2) Remove the four screws that secure the passen-
ger airbag bracket to the instrument panel structural
support (Fig. 30).
VARESTRAINTS 8O - 27
Page 1019 of 2305

(3) Remove the passenger airbag bracket from the
instrument panel structural support.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, on
vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supple-
mental restraint system before attempting any
steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt
tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel com-
ponent diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate
the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two
minutes for the system capacitor to discharge
before performing further diagnosis or service. This
is the only sure way to disable the supplemental
restraint system. Failure to take the proper precau-
tions could result in accidental airbag deployment.
(1) Position the passenger airbag bracket onto the
instrument panel structural support (Fig. 30).
(2) Install and tighten the four screws that secure
the passenger airbag bracket to the instrument panel
structural support. Tighten the screws to 10 N´m (89
in. lbs.).
(3) Reinstall the passenger airbag into the instru-
ment panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RE-
STRAINTS/PASSENGER AIRBAG -
INSTALLATION).
REAR SEAT BELT & RETRAC-
TOR
REMOVAL
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, during
and following any seat belt service, carefully
inspect all seat belts, buckles, mounting hardware,retractors, and anchors for proper installation, oper-
ation, or damage. Replace any belt that is cut,
frayed, or torn. Straighten any belt that is twisted.
Tighten any loose fasteners. Replace any belt that
has a damaged or inoperative buckle or retractor.
Replace any belt that has a bent or damaged latch
plate or anchor plate. Never attempt to repair a seat
belt component. Always replace damaged or faulty
seat belt components with the correct, new and
unused replacement parts listed in the
DaimlerChrysler Mopar Parts Catalog.
(1) Remove the rear bench seat containing the rear
seat belt and retractor unit to be serviced from the
vehicle.
(2) Lift the seat belt webbing to access and remove
the plastic push pin fastener that secures the rear
seat belt turning loop trim cover to the turning loop
bracket at the top of the seat back (Fig. 31).
(3) Remove the turning loop trim cover from the
turning loop bracket.
(4) Remove the push nut at the back of the turn-
ing loop bracket that secures the pin on which the
two turning loops pivot (Fig. 32).
Fig. 30 Passenger Airbag Bracket Remove/Install
1 - BRACKET
2 - STRUCTURAL SUPPORT
3 - SCREW (4)
Fig. 31 Turning Loop Trim Cover
1 - TRIM COVER
2 - SEAT BELT
3 - RETAINER
4 - REAR SEAT BACK
8O - 28 RESTRAINTSVA
Page 1020 of 2305

(5) Remove the pin and the two turning loops from
the turning loop bracket.
(6) For a left outboard seating position only,
unsnap and remove the plastic cover from the screw
that secures the rear seat belt lower anchor to the
left outboard side of the seat frame (Fig. 33).
(7) Remove the plastic shield from the back of the
rear seat. (Refer to 23 - BODY/SEATS/REAR SEAT
BACK SHIELD - REMOVAL).
(8) Remove the screw that secures the rear seat
belt lower anchor to the rear seat cushion frame (Fig.
33) or (Fig. 34).(9) Pull the rear seat belt and lower anchor
through the turning loop trim cover and the turning
loop bracket.
(10) Remove the screw that secures the rear seat
belt retractor to the bracket on the rear seat cushion
frame (Fig. 35).
(11) Remove the rear seat belt and retractor unit
from the bracket on the rear seat cushion frame.
Fig. 32 Rear Seat Belt Turning Loop
1 - TURNING LOOP (2)
2 - PUSH NUT
3 - BRACKET
4 - PIN
5 - REAR SEAT BACK
6 - SEAT BELT
Fig. 33 Left Outboard Rear Seat Belt Lower Anchor
1 - REAR SEAT CUSHION TRIM
2 - REAR SEAT BACK TRIM
3 - SCREW AND COVER
4 - REAR SEAT BELT LOWER ANCHOR
Fig. 34 Right Outboard or Center Rear Seat Belt
Lower Anchor
1 - REAR SEAT CUSHION FRAME
2 - SCREW
3 - REAR SEAT BELT LOWER ANCHOR
Fig. 35 Rear Seat Belt Retractor
1 - RETRACTOR
2 - REAR SEAT CUSHION FRAME
3 - SCREW
VARESTRAINTS 8O - 29
Page 1021 of 2305

INSTALLATION
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, during
and following any seat belt service, carefully
inspect all seat belts, buckles, mounting hardware,
retractors, and anchors for proper installation, oper-
ation, or damage. Replace any belt that is cut,
frayed, or torn. Straighten any belt that is twisted.
Tighten any loose fasteners. Replace any belt that
has a damaged or inoperative buckle or retractor.
Replace any belt that has a bent or damaged latch
plate or anchor plate. Never attempt to repair a seat
belt component. Always replace damaged or faulty
seat belt components with the correct, new and
unused replacement parts listed in the
DaimlerChrysler Mopar Parts Catalog.
(1) Position the rear seat belt and retractor unit
onto the bracket of the rear seat cushion frame (Fig.
35). Be certain to engage the guide on the retractor
into the locating notch on the bracket.
(2) Install and tighten the screw that secures the
rear seat belt retractor to the bracket on the rear
seat cushion frame. Tighten the screw to 35 N´m (26
ft. lbs.).
(3) Route the rear seat belt and lower anchor
through the turning loop bracket and the turning
loop trim cover.
(4) Position the rear seat belt lower anchor to the
rear seat cushion frame (Fig. 33) or (Fig. 34).
(5) Install and tighten the screw that secures the
rear seat belt lower anchor to the rear seat cushion
frame. Tighten the screw to 35 N´m (26 ft. lbs.).
(6) For a left outboard seating position only, rein-
stall the plastic cover onto the screw that secures the
rear seat belt lower anchor to the left outboard side
of the seat frame.
(7) Position the two seat belt turning loops to the
turning loop bracket so that one turning loop is
located behind the bracket and one is located in front
of the bracket (Fig. 32).
(8) From the front of the turning loop bracket,
insert the pin through both turning loops and the
bracket, then secure it from behind the bracket with
a new push nut.
(9) Position the turning loop trim cover over the
turning loop bracket.
(10) Lift the seat belt webbing to access and install
the plastic push pin fastener that secures the rear
seat belt turning loop trim cover to the turning loop
bracket at the top of the seat back (Fig. 31).
(11) Reinstall the plastic shield onto the back of
the rear seat. (Refer to 23 - BODY/SEATS/REAR
SEAT BACK SHIELD - INSTALLATION).
(12) Reinstall the rear bench seat into the vehicle.
REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - INBOARD
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, during
and following any seat belt service, carefully
inspect all seat belts, buckles, mounting hardware,
retractors, and anchors for proper installation, oper-
ation, or damage. Replace any belt that is cut,
frayed, or torn. Straighten any belt that is twisted.
Tighten any loose fasteners. Replace any belt that
has a damaged or inoperative buckle or retractor.
Replace any belt that has a bent or damaged latch
plate or anchor plate. Never attempt to repair a seat
belt component. Always replace damaged or faulty
seat belt components with the correct, new and
unused replacement parts listed in the
DaimlerChrysler Mopar Parts Catalog.
(1) Remove the rear bench seat containing the
inboard rear seat belt buckle unit to be serviced from
the vehicle.
(2) Remove the plastic shield from the back of the
rear seat. (Refer to 23 - BODY/SEATS/REAR SEAT
BACK SHIELD - REMOVAL).
(3) Remove the screw that secures either the
inboard rear seat belt buckle to the rear seat cushion
frame (Fig. 36).
(4) Remove the inboard rear seat belt buckle from
the rear seat cushion frame.
Fig. 36 Inboard Rear Seat Belt Buckle
1 - REAR SEAT CUSHION FRAME
2 - INBOARD REAR SEAT BELT LOWER ANCHOR
3 - SCREW
4 - INBOARD REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE
8O - 30 RESTRAINTSVA
Page 1022 of 2305

REMOVAL - OUTBOARD
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, during
and following any seat belt service, carefully
inspect all seat belts, buckles, mounting hardware,
retractors, and anchors for proper installation, oper-
ation, or damage. Replace any belt that is cut,
frayed, or torn. Straighten any belt that is twisted.
Tighten any loose fasteners. Replace any belt that
has a damaged or inoperative buckle or retractor.
Replace any belt that has a bent or damaged latch
plate or anchor plate. Never attempt to repair a seat
belt component. Always replace damaged or faulty
seat belt components with the correct, new and
unused replacement parts listed in the
DaimlerChrysler Mopar Parts Catalog.
(1) Unsnap and remove the plastic cover from the
screw that secures the outboard rear seat belt buckle
to the right side of the seat cushion frame (Fig.
37).
(2) Remove the screw that secures the outboard
rear seat belt buckle to the rear seat cushion frame.
(3) Remove the outboard rear seat belt buckle from
the right side of the rear seat cushion frame.
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - INBOARD
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, during
and following any seat belt service, carefully
inspect all seat belts, buckles, mounting hardware,
retractors, and anchors for proper installation, oper-
ation, or damage. Replace any belt that is cut,
frayed, or torn. Straighten any belt that is twisted.Tighten any loose fasteners. Replace any belt that
has a damaged or inoperative buckle or retractor.
Replace any belt that has a bent or damaged latch
plate or anchor plate. Never attempt to repair a seat
belt component. Always replace damaged or faulty
seat belt components with the correct, new and
unused replacement parts listed in the
DaimlerChrysler Mopar Parts Catalog.
(1) Position the inboard rear seat belt buckle to
the rear seat cushion frame (Fig. 36).
(2) Install and tighten the screw that secures
either the inboard rear seat belt buckle to the rear
seat cushion frame. Tighten the screw to 35 N´m (26
ft. lbs.).
(3) Reinstall the plastic shield onto the back of the
rear seat. (Refer to 23 - BODY/SEATS/REAR SEAT
BACK SHIELD - INSTALLATION).
(4) Reinstall the rear bench seat into the vehicle.
INSTALLATION - OUTBOARD
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, during
and following any seat belt service, carefully
inspect all seat belts, buckles, mounting hardware,
retractors, and anchors for proper installation, oper-
ation, or damage. Replace any belt that is cut,
frayed, or torn. Straighten any belt that is twisted.
Tighten any loose fasteners. Replace any belt that
has a damaged or inoperative buckle or retractor.
Replace any belt that has a bent or damaged latch
plate or anchor plate. Never attempt to repair a seat
belt component. Always replace damaged or faulty
seat belt components with the correct, new and
unused replacement parts listed in the
DaimlerChrysler Mopar Parts Catalog.
(1) Position the rear seat belt buckle to the right
outboard side of the rear seat cushion frame (Fig.
37).
(2) Install and tighten the screw that secures the
outboard rear seat belt buckle to the rear seat cush-
ion frame. Tighten the screw to 35 N´m (26 ft. lbs.).
(3) Reinstall the plastic cover onto the screw that
secures the rear seat belt buckle to the right out-
board side of the rear seat cushion frame.
SEAT BELT SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
The seat belt switch is a small, normally closed,
single pole, single throw, leaf contact, momentary
switch. Only one seat belt switch is installed in the
vehicle, and it is integral to the driver side front seat
belt buckle unit. The seat belt switch is connected to
the vehicle electrical system through a two-wire pig-
tail wire harness and connector to a dedicated take
Fig. 37 Outboard Rear Seat Belt Buckle
1 - REAR SEAT BACK TRIM
2 - REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE
3 - REAR SEAT CUSHION TRIM
4 - SCREW & COVER
VARESTRAINTS 8O - 31
Page 1023 of 2305

out and connector of the vehicle wire harness located
within the driver side front seat riser.
The seat belt switch cannot be adjusted or repaired
and, if faulty or damaged, the entire driver side seat
belt buckle unit must be replaced.
OPERATION
The seat belt switch is designed to control a path
to ground for the seat belt switch sense input of the
Electro-Mechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC). The
seat belt switch contact is actuated by the seat belt
latch plate being inserted in to the buckle. When the
seat belt latch plate is inserted into the buckle far
enough to be engaged by the seat belt buckle latch,
the switch leaf contact opens the seat belt switch
sense circuit ground path; and, when the seat belt
latch plate is released and extracted from the seat
belt buckle latch the switch leaf contact is released,
closing the circuit to ground.
The seat belt switch is connected is series between
ground and the seat belt switch sense input of the
instrument cluster. The seat belt switch receives
ground at all times through its pigtail wire connec-
tion to the vehicle wire harness from another take
out of the vehicle wire harness. An eyelet terminal
connector on the vehicle wire harness ground take
out is secured under a nut to a ground stud located
on the floor panel within the driver side front seat
riser. The seat belt switch may de diagnosed using
conventional diagnostic tools and methods.
SEAT BELT TENSIONER
DESCRIPTION
Front seating position seat belt tensioners supple-
ment the standard driver and optional passenger air-
bags for all versions of this model. When equipped,
the seat belt tensioner is integral to the front seat
belt and retractor units, which are secured to the
inner B-pillars of the vehicle (Fig. 38). Each retractor
is concealed beneath the molded plastic B-pillar trim.
The seat belt tensioner consists primarily of a tubu-
lar steel housing, a piston, a cable, a torsion bar, and
a small pyrotechnically activated gas generator. All of
these components are located on one side of the
retractor spool on the outside of the retractor housing
except for the torsion bar, which serves as the spin-
dle upon which the retractor spool rotates. The seat
belt tensioner is controlled by the Airbag Control
Module (ACM) and is connected to the vehicle elec-
trical system through a dedicated take out of the
vehicle wire harness by a keyed, snap-fit molded
plastic connector insulator to ensure a secure connec-
tion.
The seat belt tensioner cannot be repaired and, if
faulty or damaged, the entire front seat belt and
retractor unit must be replaced. If the front airbags
have been deployed, the seat belt tensioners have
also been deployed. The seat belt tensioner is not
intended for reuse and must be replaced following a
Fig. 38 Seat Belt Tensioner
1 - TURNING LOOP
2 - LATCH PLATE
3 - LOWER ANCHOR
4 - RETRACTOR
5 - TENSIONER
8O - 32 RESTRAINTSVA
Page 1024 of 2305

deployment. A growling or grinding sound while
attempting to operate the seat belt retractor is a sure
indication that the seat belt tensioner has been
deployed and requires replacement. (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/FRONT SEAT BELT &
RETRACTOR - REMOVAL).
OPERATION
The seat belt tensioners are deployed in conjunc-
tion with the airbags by a signal generated by the
Airbag Control Module (ACM) through the driver and
passenger seat belt tensioner line 1 and line 2 (or
squib) circuits (Fig. 39). When the ACM sends the
proper electrical signal to the tensioners, the electri-
cal energy generates enough heat to initiate a small
pyrotechnic gas generator. The gas generator is
installed so that it directs its expelled gas at the
underside of the piston in the cylinder. The piston is
connected to a cable that is wound around a pulley
on one end of the retractor spool. As the gas expands,
it propels the piston through the tube, which pulls
the cable and rotates the retractor spool to take up
slack in the seat belt webbing.
Once a seat belt tensioning sequence has been
completed, the forward momentum of the occupantresults in deformation of the torsion bar. Removing
excess slack from the front seat belts not only keeps
the occupants properly positioned for an airbag
deployment following a frontal impact of the vehicle,
but also helps to reduce injuries that the occupant
might otherwise experience in a frontal impact event
as a result of harmful contact with the steering
wheel, steering column, instrument panel and/or
windshield. The torsion bar is designed to deform in
order to control the loads being applied to the occu-
pant by the seat belt during a frontal impact, further
reducing the potential for occupant injuries.
The ACM monitors the condition of the seat belt
tensioners through circuit resistance. The ACM will
illuminate the airbag indicator in the ElectroMe-
chanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) and store a
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for any fault that is
detected. For proper diagnosis of the seat belt ten-
sioners, a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to
the appropriate diagnostic information.
SEAT BELT TURNING LOOP
ADJUSTER
REMOVAL
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, on
vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supple-
mental restraint system before attempting any
steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt
tensioner, or instrument panel component diagno-
sis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery
negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for
the system capacitor to discharge before perform-
ing further diagnosis or service. This is the only
sure way to disable the supplemental restraint sys-
tem. Failure to take the proper precautions could
result in accidental airbag deployment.
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, during
and following any seat belt service, carefully
inspect all seat belts, buckles, mounting hardware,
retractors, and anchors for proper installation, oper-
ation, or damage. Replace any belt that is cut,
frayed, or torn. Straighten any belt that is twisted.
Tighten any loose fasteners. Replace any belt that
has a damaged or inoperative buckle or retractor.
Replace any belt that has a bent or damaged latch
plate or anchor plate. Never attempt to repair a seat
belt component. Always replace damaged or faulty
seat belt components with the correct, new and
unused replacement parts listed in the
DaimlerChrysler Mopar Parts Catalog.
(1) Move the front seat to its most forward position
for easiest access to the B-pillar trim.
Fig. 39 Seat Belt Tensioner Operation
1 - TUBE
2 - PISTON
3 - CABLE
4 - CYLINDER
VARESTRAINTS 8O - 33