Driver Airbag

REMOVAL
The following procedure is for replacement of a faulty or damaged driver airbag. If the airbag is faulty or damaged, but not deployed, review the recommended procedures for handling non-deployed supplemental restraints. If the driver airbag has been deployed, review the recommended procedures for service after a supplemental restraint deployment before removing the airbag from the vehicle.

WARNING:
- TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, IMPACT SENSOR, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT 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 PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
- TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, WHEN REMOVING A DEPLOYED AIRBAG, 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.

Driver Airbag Remove/Install:

2. From the underside of the steering wheel, remove the two screws that secure the driver airbag to the horn switch armature within the hub cavity of the steering wheel.
3. Pull the driver airbag away from the steering wheel far enough to access the electrical connection at the back of the airbag housing.

CAUTION: Do not pull on the clockspring pigtail wires to disengage the connector from the driver airbag inflator connector receptacle. Improper removal of these pigtail wires and their connector insulator can result in damage to the airbag circuits or the connector insulator.

4. The clockspring driver airbag pigtail wire connector is a tight snap-fit into the airbag inflator connector receptacle, which is located on the back of the driver airbag housing. Firmly grasp and pull or gently pry on the connector insulator and pull the connector straight out from the airbag inflator to disconnect it from the connector receptacle.
5. Remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel.
6. If the driver airbag has been deployed, the clockspring and the steering wheel must also be replaced.

INSTALLATION
The following procedure is for replacement of a faulty or damaged driver airbag. If the airbag is faulty or damaged, but not deployed, review the recommended procedures for handling non-deployed supplemental restraints. If the driver airbag has been deployed, review the recommended procedures for service after a supplemental restraint deployment before removing the airbag from the vehicle.

WARNING:
- TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, IMPACT SENSOR, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT 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 PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
- TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, 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.
- TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, THE DRIVER AIRBAG TRIM COVER MUST NEVER BE PAINTED. REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS ARE SERVICED WITH TRIM COVERS 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 the clockspring driver airbag pigtail wire connector at the back of the air-bag housing.
2. When installing the driver airbag, reconnect the clockspring driver airbag pigtail wire connector to the airbag inflator connector receptacle by pressing straight in on the connector. You can be certain that the connector is fully engaged by listening carefully for a distinct, audible click as the connector snaps into place.
3. Carefully position the driver airbag in the steering wheel. Be certain that the clockspring pigtail wire and horn switch wires in the steering wheel hub area are not pinched between the driver airbag and the horn switch armature.
4. From the underside of the steering wheel, install and tighten the two screws that secure the driver airbag to the horn switch armature within the hub cavity of the steering wheel. Tighten the screws to 6 Nm (53 in. lbs.).

WARNING: DO NOT CONNECT THE BATTERY NEGATIVE CABLE. PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH MAY RESULT IF THE SYSTEM TEST IS NOT PERFORMED FIRST. FOR THE SYSTEM TEST, Supplemental Restraints Verification Test