Passenger Air Bag - Removal

REMOVAL

WARNING: To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) 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 SRS. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.

WARNING: To avoid serious or fatal injury when removing a deployed airbag, rubber gloves, eye protection, and a long-sleeved shirt should be worn. There may be deposits on the airbag unit and other interior surfaces. In large doses, these deposits may cause irritation to the skin and eyes.

NOTE: The following procedure is for replacement of an ineffective or damaged passenger airbag. If the airbag is ineffective or damaged, but not deployed, review the recommended procedures for handling non-deployed supplemental restraints. Service and Repair . 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. Service and Repair .





1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
2. Remove the top cover from the top of the instrument panel. Instrument Panel Cover - Removal.
3. Remove the glove box from the instrument panel. Instrument Panel Glove Box - Removal.

CAUTION: Do not pull on the instrument panel wire harness take outs or pry on the connector insulator to disengage the connector from the passenger airbag inflator connector receptacle. Improper removal of these take outs and their connector insulators can result in damage to the airbag circuits or the connector insulators.

4. Reach up into the instrument panel between the upper glove box opening reinforcement and the instrument panel armature (1) to access and disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connectors (2) from the airbag inflator (3). Firmly grasp and pull the lock straight out from the connector insulator, then pull the insulators straight out from the airbag inflator to disconnect them from the connector receptacles.
5. Remove the two nuts (4) that secure the passenger airbag lower bracket studs to the instrument panel armature.
6. Using a trim stick or another suitable wide flat-bladed tool, gently pry the edges of the passenger airbag door away from the instrument panel far enough to disengage the snap features on the door from the receptacles in the instrument panel base trim.
7. Remove the passenger airbag and airbag door from the top of the instrument panel as a unit.