Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

A. AECM and Cover

1. With the ignition key in the OFF position, disconnect the negative battery cable.

Note:
To enhance customer satisfaction, remember to record all radio settings before disconnecting the battery and to reset all electronic memory (clock, radio settings, etc.) when you have completed the service procedure.





2. Using a trim panel removal tool, remove the push-in fasteners that attach the seat riser trim shield to the rear of the driver's seat riser (if equipped) (Figure 1). Set the trim shield aside.





3. Remove the power seat wiring harness connector from the front riser crossmember and then disconnect the connector (if equipped) (Figure 2).

4. Disconnect the seat belt switch wiring connector.

5. Remove the nuts that attach the driver's seat riser to the floor pan (Figure 2).

NOTE:
On some van conversion seating configurations, it may be necessary to separate the seat from the seat riser to remove the riser-to-floor pan nuts.

6. Remove the driver's seat assembly from the vehicle.





7. Remove the four screws that secure the airbag electronic control module (AECM) cover to the AECM. Remove and discard the AECM cover (Figure 3).

8. Disconnect the two (2) AECM wiring connectors

9. Remove the four (4) screws that attach the AECM to the floor pan mounting bracket (Figure 3). Discard the screws.

10. Remove the AECM. Note the AECM part number for later use and then destroy the old AECM connector pins. Discard the old A�CM.





11. Pre-assemble the supplied AECM and AECM wiring jumper by routing the AECM wiring jumper harness under the new A�CM. Connect the jumper harness to the mating connector on the AECM and to the two (2) wiring harness connectors that were connected to the old AECM (Figure 4). Make sure that the connector latches are fully engaged and then secure the jumper harness by inserting the harness clips into the AECM bracket holes (Figure 4).

12. If there were wires routed over the AECM plastic cover, route these wires in the trough area of the AECM bracket (Figure 4).

13. Install the AECM and bracket assembly with the jumper harness onto the floor pan mounting bracket. Be sure that the arrow on the AECM is pointing forward (Figure 4). Care should be taken to prevent pinching of the wires in the trough area.

14. Install the four provided AECM mounting screws. Tighten the screws to 60 in-lbs (6.8 N.m).





15. Install the new cover over the AECM and install the four cover-to-AECM screws (Figure 5). Tighten the screws to 20 in-lbs (2.3 N.m).





NOTE:
On some conversion vans, the new AECM cover may interfere with the seat riser that was installed by the conversion company. On these vehicles, remove the affected part of the cover by cutting it along the provided score lines using a hacksaw or similar tool (Figure 6).

16. Install the driver's seat assembly into the vehicle.

17. Install the nuts that attach the driver's seat riser to the floor (Figure 2). Tighten the nuts to 55 ft-lbs (75 N.m).

18. Connect the seat belt switch wiring connector.

19. Connect the power driver seat. wiring harness connector and attach it to the front riser crossmember (if equipped) (Figure 2).

2O. Attach the riser trim shield to the rear of the driver's seat riser with the push-in fasteners (if equipped) (Figure 1).

21. Turn the ignition switch to the "RUN" position.

22. Connect the negative battery cable.

23. Check the old AECM part number that was recorded in Step 10.

^ If the old AECM part number was 56007181, the vehicle restraint system does NOT include a pretensioner and the AECM software must be updated (early-i995 model year vehicles only). Continue with Section "B" - Update AECM Software.

^ If the old AECM part number was 56043105, the vehicle restraint system includes a pretensioner. Continue with Step 24.

24. From outside the vehicle, turn the ignition switch to the "OFF" position for about 10 seconds and then turn it back to the "RUN" position.

25. Observe the airbag warning light in the instrument cluster. It should illuminate for 6-8 seconds and then go out.

NOTE:
If the airbag warning light fails to light, or lights and stays on, there is a system malfunction. Refer to the proper Body Diagnostic Procedures manual to diagnose and repair the problem.