Restraints Control Module (RCM)
RemovalWARNING: 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: After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant 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: The restraints control module (RCM) orientation is critical for proper air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) operation. If a vehicle equipped with an SRS system has been involved in a collision in which the center tunnel area has been damaged, inspect the mounting and bracket for deformation. If damaged, the RCM must be replaced whether or not the air bags have deployed. In addition, make sure the area of the RCM mounting is restored to its original condition.
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 be 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 to determine 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).
CAUTION: Electronic modules are sensitive to static electrical charges. If exposed to these charges, damage can result.
NOTE: Repair is made by installing a new part only. If the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and perform the diagnostic procedure again.
All vehicles
WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system repair only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
NOTE: If a seat equipped with a seat-mounted side air bag and/or a safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) system is being serviced the air bag system must be deactivated. Refer to DIAGNOSTIC INSTRUCTIONS - AIR BAG AND SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS), in this section.
NOTE: Restraint system diagnostic tools MUST be installed under the seats in the side air bag and safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) to floor connectors.
NOTE: Diagnostics or repairs are not to be performed on a side air bag system and/or a safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) system with the seats in the vehicle. Prior to attempting to diagnose/repair the side air bag system and/or a safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) system the seats must be removed from the vehicle and the restraint system diagnostic tools must be installed in the side air bag and the safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) connectors at the floor connectors. The restraint system diagnostic tools must be removed prior to operating the vehicle over the road.
NOTE: Diagnostics may be performed on seat systems other than the side air bag or the safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) system (lumbar, climate controlled, heated, power seat track) with the seat installed in the vehicle as long as the restraint system diagnostic tools are installed under the seats in the side air bag and safety belt pretensioner to floor connectors.
NOTE: After diagnosing/repairing a seat system the restraint system diagnostic tools must be removed before operating the vehicle over the road.
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. For additional information, refer to BATTERY DISCONNECT.
2. Remove the steering wheel access cover.
3. Disconnect the driver air bag electrical connector.
1. Separate the driver air bag electrical connector pin-type retainer from the steering wheel bracket.
2. Push to release the driver air bag electrical connector locking clip.
3. Disconnect the driver air bag electrical connector.
4. Attach the air bag to the air bag sliding contact electrical connector at the top of the steering column.
5. Open the glove box past its stops.
6. Through the glove box opening toward the center of the instrument panel, disconnect the passenger air bag electrical connector.
1. Push to release the passenger air bag electrical connector locking clip.
2. Disconnect the passenger air bag electrical connector.
7. Attach the air bag to the vehicle harness side of the passenger air bag electrical connector.
8. Disconnect the passenger seat safety belt buckle pretensioner electrical connector.
9. Attach the air bag to the passenger seat safety belt buckle pretensioner floor electrical connector.
Vehicles with side air bags
10. Disconnect the passenger seat side air bag electrical connector.
11. Attach the air bag to the passenger seat side air bag floor electrical connector.
All vehicles
12. Disconnect the driver seat safety belt buckle pretensioner electrical connector.
13. Attach the air bag to the driver seat safety belt buckle pretensioner floor electrical connector.
Vehicles with side air bags
14. Disconnect the driver seat side air bag electrical connector.
15. Attach the air bag to the driver seat side air bag floor electrical connector.
All vehicles
16. Connect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to BATTERY DISCONNECT.
17. With the restraint system diagnostic tools installed at all deployable devices, prove out the air bag system. For additional information, refer to DIAGNOSTIC INSTRUCTIONS - AIR BAG AND SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS), in this section.
18. Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. For additional information, refer to BATTERY DISCONNECT.
19. Position the carpet back at the right-hand side of the center tunnel area under the instrument panel.
20. Remove the right-hand side restraint control module (RCM) retaining bolts.
21. Position the carpet back at the left-hand side of the center tunnel area under the instrument panel.
22. Remove the RCM.
1. Slide and disengage the two RCM electrical connector locking clips.
2. Push down to pivot the RCM electrical connector tabs and pull out to disconnect.
3. Remove the retaining bolt.
4. Remove the RCM.
INSTALLATION
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: after deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant 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: The restraints control module (RCM) orientation is critical for proper air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) operation. If a vehicle equipped with an SRS system has been involved in a collision in which the center tunnel area has been damaged, inspect the mounting and bracket for deformation. If damaged, the RCM must be replaced whether or not the air bags have deployed. In addition, make sure the area of the RCM mounting is restored to its original condition.
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 be 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 to determine 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).
CAUTION: Electronic modules are sensitive to static electrical charges. If exposed to these charges, damage can result.
NOTE: Repair is made by installing a new part only. If the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and perform the diagnostic procedure again.
All vehicles
WARNING: The tightening torque of the restraints control module (RCM) retaining bolts is critical for proper system operation.
WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system repair only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
NOTE: If a seat equipped with a seat-mounted side air bag and/or a safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) system is being serviced the air bag system must be deactivated. Refer to DIAGNOSTIC INSTRUCTIONS - AIR BAG AND SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS), in this section.
NOTE: Restraint system diagnostic tools MUST be installed under the seats in the side air bag and safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) to floor connectors.
NOTE: Diagnostics or repairs are not to be performed on a side air bag system and/or a safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) system with the seats in the vehicle. Prior to attempting to diagnose/repair the side air bag system and/or a safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) system the seats must be removed from the vehicle and the restraint system diagnostic tools must be installed in the side air bag and the safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) connectors at the floor connectors. The restraint system diagnostic tools must be removed prior to operating the vehicle over the road.
NOTE: Diagnostics may be performed on seat systems other than the side air bag or the safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) system (lumbar, climate controlled, heated, power seat track) with the seat installed in the vehicle as long as the restraint system diagnostic tools are installed under the seats in the side air bag and safety belt pretensioner to floor connectors.
NOTE: After diagnosing/repairing a seat system the restraint system diagnostic tools must be removed before operating the vehicle over the road.
1. Position the RCM to the center tunnel area and install the three bolts hand-tight.
WARNING: The tightening torque of the restraints control module (ROM) retaining bolts is critical for proper system operation.
2. Tighten the right-hand side RCM bolts.
3. Reposition the carpet back at the right-hand side of the center tunnel area under the instrument panel.
WARNING: The tightening torque of the restraints control module (RCM) retaining bolts is critical for proper system operation.
4. Connect the RCM.
1. Tighten the bolt.
2. Connect the RCM electrical connectors.
3. Slide and engage the RCM electrical connector locking clips.
5. Reposition the carpet back at the left-hand side of the center tunnel area under the instrument panel.
6. Connect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to BATTERY DISCONNECT
7. With the restraint system diagnostic tools still installed at all deployable devices, prove out the air bag system. For additional information, refer to DIAGNOSTIC INSTRUCTIONS - AIR BAG AND SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS), in this section.
8. Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. For additional information, refer to BATTERY DISCONNECT.
WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system repair only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
9. Remove the air bag from the driver seat safety belt buckle pretensioner floor electrical connector.
10. Connect the driver seat safety belt buckle pretensioner electrical connector.
Vehicles with side air bags
WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system repair only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
11. Remove the air bag from the driver seat side air bag floor electrical connector.
12. Connect the driver seat side air bag electrical connector.
All vehicles
WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system repair only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
13. Remove the air bag from the passenger seat safety belt buckle pretensioner floor electrical connector.
14. Connect the passenger seat safety belt buckle pretensioner electrical connector.
Vehicles with side air bags
WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system repair only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
15. Remove the air bag from the passenger seat side air bag floor electrical connector.
16. Connect the passenger seat side air bag electrical connector.
All vehicles
WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system repair only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
17. Remove the air bag from the vehicle harness side of the passenger air bag electrical connector.
18. Connect the passenger air bag electrical connector.
19. Close the glove box.
WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system repair only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
20. Remove the air bag from the air bag sliding contact electrical connector at the top of the steering column.
21. Connect the driver air bag electrical connector.
1. Connect the driver air bag electrical connector.
2. Install the driver air bag electrical connector pin-type retainer into the steering wheel bracket.
22. Install the steering wheel access cover.
23. Connect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to BATTERY DISCONNECT.
WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system repair only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
24. With all the restraint system diagnostic tools removed, prove out the air bag system. For additional information, refer to DIAGNOSTIC INSTRUCTIONS - AIR BAG AND SAFETY BELT.