Air Bag Control Module: Service and Repair

WARNING: DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL,STEERING COLUMN, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE CONTAINS THE IMPACT SENSOR, WHICH ENABLES THE SYSTEM TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS. NEVER STRIKE OR KICK THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE, AS IT CAN DAMAGE THE IMPACT SENSOR OR AFFECT ITS CALIBRATION. IF AN AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE IS ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED DURING SERVICE, THE MODULE MUST BE SCRAPPED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW UNIT. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL, INCOMPLETE, OR IMPROPER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE OCCUPANT INJURIES.



REMOVAL

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. If either of the airbags has not been deployed, wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.

NOTE: On some models, particularly van conversions, the driver front seat riser may require removal in order to access the Airbag Control Module (ACM) and the ACM cover for service.

Fig. 6 Airbag Control Module Remove/Install:

2. Reach under the front of the driver front seat riser to access and remove the molded plastic cover over the Airbag Control Module (ACM) from the front floor panel. The cover is secured to the floor panel with double-faced acrylic foam tape. Discard the cover after it has been removed.
3. Reach under the front of the driver side front seat riser to access and disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector for the ACM from the ACM connector receptacle. To disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector from the ACM:
a. Slide the red Connector Position Assurance (CPA) lock on the top of the connector toward the side of the connector.
b. Depress the connector latch tab and pull the connector straight away from the ACM connector receptacle.

4. Remove the three screws that secure the ACM to the mount that is welded onto the floor panel under the driver side front seat.
5. Remove the ACM from the mount on the floor panel under the driver side front seat.

INSTALLATION
1. Carefully position the ACM to the mount that is welded onto the floor panel under the driver side front seat. When the ACM is correctly positioned, the locator pins on the ACM housing will be engaged in the locator holes in the mounting bracket, and the arrow on the ACM label will be pointed forward in the vehicle.
2. Install and tighten the three screws that secure the ACM to the mount that is welded onto the floor panel under the driver side front seat. Tighten the screws to 12 Nm (105 in. lbs.).
3. Reconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector for the ACM to the ACM connector receptacle. Be certain that the connector latch and the red Connector Position Assurance (CPA) lock are fully engaged.
4. Remove all remnants of the acrylic foam tape that secured the removed ACM cover from the floor panel. Clean the floor panel with isopropyl alcohol in preparation to receive the acrylic foam tape of the new ACM cover. The ACM cover MUST be replaced with a new cover following service removal.
5. Remove the release paper from the acrylic foam tape on the flange of the new ACM cover.
6. Carefully position the new cover over the ACM then, using hand pressure, press down firmly and evenly on the top of the cover to seal the acrylic foam tape to the floor panel.
7. Do not reconnect the battery negative cable at this time. The airbag system verification test procedure should be performed following service of any airbag system component. (Refer to RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - VERIFICATION TEST).