Disassembly and Assembly

DISASSEMBLY
The horn switch is integral to the driver airbag trim cover. If either component is faulty or damaged, the entire driver airbag trim cover and horn switch unit must be replaced.

WARNING:
- DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, 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 HORN SWITCH IS INTEGRAL TO THE DRIVER AIRBAG UNIT. SERVICE OF THIS UNIT SHOULD BE PERFORMED ONLY BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER-TRAINED AND AUTHORIZED DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIANS. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS OR TO FOLLOW THE PROPER PROCEDURES COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL, INCOMPLETE, OR IMPROPER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE OCCUPANT INJURIES.

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.
2. Remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/DRIVER AIRBAG - REMOVAL).

Fig.14 Horn Switch Feed Wire Remove/Install:

3. Remove the plastic horn switch pigtail wire retainer from the stud on the back of the driver airbag housing.

Fig.15 Driver Airbag Trim Cover:

4. Remove the four nuts that secure the upper and lower trim cover retainers to the studs on the back of the driver airbag housing.
5. Remove the upper and lower trim cover retainers from the airbag housing studs.
6. Remove the horn switch ground pigtail wire eyelet terminal connector from the upper left airbag housing stud.

Fig.16 Driver Airbag Trim Cover Remove/Install:

7. Disengage the four trim cover locking blocks from the lip around the outside edge of the driver airbag housing and remove the housing from the cover.

ASSEMBLY
The horn switch is integral to the driver airbag trim cover. If either component is faulty or damaged, the entire driver airbag trim cover and horn switch unit must be replaced.

WARNING:
- DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, 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 HORN SWITCH IS INTEGRAL TO THE DRIVER AIRBAG UNIT. SERVICE OF THIS UNIT SHOULD BE PERFORMED ONLY BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER-TRAINED AND AUTHORIZED DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIANS. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS OR TO FOLLOW THE PROPER PROCEDURES COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL, INCOMPLETE, OR IMPROPER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE OCCUPANT INJURIES.
- USE EXTREME CARE TO PREVENT AND 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.
- THE DRIVER AIRBAG TRIM COVER MUST NEVER BE PAINTED. REPLACEMENT TRIM COVERS ARE SERVICED IN THE ORIGINAL COLORS. PAINT MAY CHANGE THE WAY IN WHICH THE MATERIAL OF THE TRIM COVER RESPONDS TO AND AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURIES UPON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

1. Carefully position the driver airbag in the trim cover. Be certain that the horn switch feed and ground pigtail wires are not pinched between the airbag housing and the trim cover locking blocks.

Driver Side Airbag Trim Cover Locking Blocks Engaged:

2. Engage the upper and lower trim cover locking blocks with the lip of the driver airbag housing, then engage the locking blocks on each side of the trim cover with the lip of the housing. Be certain that each of the locking blocks is fully engaged on the lip of the airbag housing.
3. Reinstall the horn switch ground pigtail wire eyelet terminal connector over the left upper airbag housing stud.
4. Reinstall the upper and lower airbag trim cover retainers over the airbag housing studs. Be certain that the tabs on each retainer are engaged in the retainer slots of the upper and lower trim cover locking blocks.
5. Install and tighten the nuts that secure the trim cover retainers to the airbag housing studs. Tighten the nuts to 10 Nm (90 in. lbs.).
6. Reinstall the driver airbag onto the steering wheel. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/ DRIVER AIRBAG - INSTALLATION).