Removal

WARNING: Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: Carry a live air bag module with the air bag and trim cover pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: Do not set a live air bag module down with the trim cover face down. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generent combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.

WARNING: Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.

WARNING: Air bag modules with discolored or damaged trim covers must be replaced, not repainted.

WARNING: Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for proper system operation. If a vehicle equipped with an air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is involved in a collision, inspect the sensor mounting bracket and wiring pigtail for deformation. Replace and properly position the sensor or any other damaged Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) components whether or not the air bag is deployed.

WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must he depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.

Please refer to the appropriate vehicle location of the front air bag sensors.

The side air bag sensors are located at or near the base of the B-pillar.

To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).

1. NOTE: Make sure the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position.

Disconnect the battery cables.
1 Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute.
2 Disconnect the battery to starter relay cable and wait one minute for the backup power supply to be depleted.





2. Remove the driver side air bag module.
1 Remove the two screws.
2 Disconnect the air bag sliding contact electrical connector.
3 Disconnect the horn electrical connector.
4 Remove the driver side air bag module.





3. NOTE: Move the shift lever to the 1 position to ease removal.

Carefully pry to release the four clips and remove the steering column opening cover.





4. Pull to release the three clips and remove the instrument panel fuse door.





5. Position the hood latch release handle aside.
1 Remove the screws.
2 Position the hood latch release handle aside.





6. Position the parking brake release handle aside.
1 Remove the screws.
2 Position the parking brake release handle aside.





7. Remove the instrument panel floor duct panel.
- Remove two push clips and release one expander clip.





8. Remove the instrument panel steering column cover.
1 Remove the bolts.
2 Remove the lower instrument panel steering column cover.





9. Remove the instrument panel opening cover support.
1 Remove the nuts.
2 Remove the instrument panel opening cover support.





10. Disconnect the ignition switch electrical connector.
1 Remove the bolt.
2 Disconnect the electrical connector.





11. Remove the transmission range indicator from the steering column.
1 Remove the bolt.
2 Remove the indicator.





12. Remove the steering column shaft bolt.
1 Remove the steering column shaft pinch bolt.
2 Slide the intermediate shaft off at the steering column.





13. Disconnect the electrical connectors.





14. Lower the steering column.
1 Remove the nuts.
2 Lower the steering column.





15. Disconnect the shift cable from the steering column and remove the steering column.
1 Disconnect the shift cable from the steering column shift tube lever.
2 Disconnect the shift cable from the steering column instrument panel bracket.