Air Bag Deployment Door: Service and Repair

REMOVAL and INSTALLATION
WARNING:
- THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE, COMPLEX ELECTROMECHANICAL UNIT BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE OR SERVICE ANY AIR-BAG SYSTEM OR RELATED STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENTS YOU MUST FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE. THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE FURTHER SYSTEM SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DO THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

- WHEN REMOVING A DEPLOYED AIRBAG MODULE, RUBBER GLOVES, EYE PROTECTION, AND A LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT SHOULD BE WORN. THERE MAY BE DEPOSITS ON THE AIRBAG MODULE 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. if the airbag has not been deployed, wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
2. Remove the passenger side airbag module from the instrument panel.

Passenger Side Airbag Door Remove/Install:

3. With the airbag module on a bench, slide the airbag door sideways until the keyed slots in the upper and lower airbag door flanges clear the three tabs on the top and the bottom of the airbag housing.
4. Remove the passenger side airbag door from the airbag module.

WARNING: USE EXTREME CARE TO PREVENT ANY FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM ENTERING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MODULE, OR BECOMING ENTRAPPED BETWEEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DOOR AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR-BAG MODULE. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURIES UPON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

5. Reverse the removal procedures to complete the installation, but do not connect the battery negative cable at this time.