Removal and Installation

REMOVAL
The following procedure is for replacement of a faulty or damaged driver airbag. If the driver airbag has been deployed, the clockspring must also be replaced. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/ CLOCKSPRING - REMOVAL).

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.
- WHEN REMOVING A DEPLOYED AIRBAG, RUBBER GLOVES, EYE PROTECTION, AND A LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT SHOULD BE WORN. THERE MAY BE DEPOSITS ON THE AIRBAG CUSHION 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 either of the airbags has not been deployed, wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.

Fig.13 Driver Airbag Remove/Install - Typical:

2. From the underside of the steering wheel, remove the two screws that secure the driver airbag to the steering wheel armature.
3. Pull the driver airbag away from the steering wheel far enough to access the two wire harness connectors on the back of the airbag.
4. Disconnect the clockspring horn switch pigtail wire connector for the horn switch from the switch feed pigtail wire connector, which is located on the back of the driver airbag.

CAUTION: Do not pull on the clockspring wire harness to disengage the connector from the driver airbag inflator connector receptacle.

5. The clockspring driver airbag pigtail wire connector is a tight snap fit into the airbag inflator connector receptacle, which is located on the back of the driver airbag. Firmly grasp and pull or gently pry on the clockspring driver airbag pigtail wire connector to disconnect it from the airbag inflator connector receptacle.
6. Remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel.
7. If the driver airbag has been deployed, the clockspring must be replaced. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING - REMOVAL).

INSTALLATION
The following procedure is for replacement of a faulty or damaged driver airbag. If the driver airbag has been deployed, the clockspring must also be replaced. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING - INSTALLATION).

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.
- USE EXTREME CARE TO PREVENT ANY 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 AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURIES UPON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

1. Assemble the driver airbag trim cover onto the airbag housing. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/DRIVER AIRBAG - ASSEMBLY).
2. When installing the driver airbag, reconnect the clockspring driver airbag pigtail wire connector to the airbag module connector receptacle by pressing straight in on the connector. You can be certain that the connector is fully engaged by listening carefully for a distinct, audible click as the connector snaps into place.
3. Reconnect the clockspring pigtail wire connector for the horn switch to the switch feed pigtail wire connector, which is located on the back of the driver airbag.
4. Carefully position the driver airbag in the steering wheel. Be certain that the clockspring and steering wheel wire harnesses in the steering wheel hub area are not pinched between the driver airbag and the steering wheel.
5. From the underside of the steering wheel, install and tighten the two screws that secure the driver airbag to the steering wheel armature. Tighten the screws to 10 Nm (90 in. lbs.).
6. 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 ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - VERIFICATION TEST).