Procedure
Service PrecautionsCAUTION:
WHEN YOU ARE PERFORMING SERVICE ON OR NEAR THE SIR COMPONENTS OR THE SIR WIRING, YOU MUST DISABLE THE SIR SYSTEM. USE THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE TO TEMPORARILY DISABLE THE SIR SYSTEM. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE CORRECT PROCEDURE COULD CAUSE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT; PERSONAL INJURY, OR UNNECESSARY SIR SYSTEM REPAIRS.
THE INFLATABLE RESTRAINT SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE MAINTAINS A RESERVE ENERGY SUPPLY WHEN THE VEHICLE POWER IS INSUFFICIENT TO CAUSE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS, THE RESERVE ENERGY SUPPLY PROVIDES THE DEPLOYMENT POWER. DEPLOYMENT POWER IS AVAILABLE FOR AS MUCH AS TEN MINUTES AFTER DISCONNECTING THE VEHICLE POWER BY ANY OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS:
^ YOU TURN OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH.
^ YOU REMOVE THE FUSE THAT PROVIDES POWER TO THE INFLATABLE RESTRAINT SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.
^ YOU DISCONNECT THE VEHICLE BATTERY FROM THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES PREVENTS DEPLOYING OF THE AIR BAGS FROM THE RESERVE ENERGY SUPPLY POWER.
1. Perform SIR diagnostic system check. (Refer to appropriate year "SIR Service Manual.")
^ If DTC 24 is active, refer to diagnostic procedure in the appropriate year "SIR Service Manual.")
IMPORTANT:
If driver inflator module is removed during the diagnosis or repair of DTC 24, install insulator as instructed in step 42 of this bulletin before reinstalling driver inflator module.
^ If DTC 24 is in history only, follow the procedure in this bulletin to inspect and repair SIR coil assembly and install insulator.
2. Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle's wheels are pointing straight ahead.
3. Turn ignition switch to the LOCK position and remove key.
4. Remove AIR BAG fuse from I/P junction block.
IMPORTANT:
With the AIR BAG fuse removed and ignition switch On, the AIR BAG warning lamp will be On. This is normal operation and does not indicate an SIR system malfunction.
5. Remove connector position assurance (CPA) device and disconnect yellow two-way connector located near the base of the steering column.
6. Remove upper trim panel screw caps by carefully prying with a small flat head screwdriver.
7. Remove upper trim panel screws.
8. Lift upper trim panel at clip locations on rear edge to disengage clips.
9. Pull panel rearward out of clips at bottom of windshield.
IMPORTANT:
Be careful, when removing or replacing upper trim panel, not to damage VIN plate.
10. Remove upper trim panel.
11. Remove upper trim panel insulator.
12. Remove connector position assurance (CPA) device and disconnect yellow two-way connector located on pigtail from passenger inflator module.
CAUTION:
WHEN CARRYING A LIVE INFLATOR MODULE (AIR BAG), MAKE SURE THE BAG AND TRIM COVER ARE POINTED AWAY FROM YOU. NEVER CARRY INFLATOR MODULE (AIR BAG) BY THE WIRES OR CONNECTOR ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE MODULE. IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT, THE BAG WILL DEPLOY WITH MINIMAL CHANCE OF INJURY WHEN PLACING A LIVE INFLATOR MODULE (AIR BAG) ON A BENCH OR OTHER SURFACE, ALWAYS FACE BAG AND TRIM COVER UP AWAY FROM THE SURFACE.
13. Remove screw caps on the steering wheel by carefully prying with a small flat head screwdriver.
14. Remove inflator module screws.
15. Lift inflator module out of steering wheel.
16. Remove integral connector lock device with small flat head screwdriver. Disconnect connector and remove inflator module.
17. Inspect the wires leading from the SIR coil assembly to the driver inflator module.
^ If there is damage to the wires, proceed to the next step and replace the SIR coil assembly.
^ If there is no damage to the wires, proceed to step 42.
IMPORTANT:
It is not necessary to install the driver inflator module until directed to do so while performing DTC 24 diagnostics in the "SIR Service Manual."
18. Position vehicle with front wheels pointed straight ahead and steering wheel centered in the straight ahead position.
NOTICE:
Always align the front wheels to the straight-ahead position when installing or removing an SIR coil assembly.
19. Disconnect cruise control switch (if equipped) and horn switch connector.
20. Remove steering wheel attachment nut and discard.
21. Install steering wheel puller onto steering wheel and remove steering wheel.
22. Feed wiring through the steering wheel and remove steering wheel.
23. Remove screws and upper steering column shroud.
24. Rotate key to ACC position, depress lock button and remove ignition cylinder assembly.
25. Remove screws and lower steering column cover.
26. Remove SIR coil assembly rosebud-type fastener from bracket below steering column.
27. Disconnect horn/cruise in-line connector, located under steering column.
28. Remove screws from SIR coil assembly.
29. Remove SIR coil assembly pigtail from behind lever control switch.
30. Remove SIR coil assembly.
NOTICE:
A new SIR coil assembly is equipped with a yellow tab that is removed after the steering wheel is installed on the steering column. This yellow tab passes through the steering wheel at the pass through hole.
31. Route long pigtail of new SIR coil assembly and horn/cruise in-line connector behind lever combination switch and down the steering column.
32. Install SIR coil assembly to lever combination switch.
33. Install lower steering column shroud.
34. Install ignition lock cylinder assembly.
35. Install upper steering column shroud.
36. Route wiring through steering wheel.
37. Install steering wheel onto steering shaft noting orientation notch that locates steering wheel in correct position.
38. Remove yellow tab from SIR coil assembly.
39. Install new steering wheel attachment nut.
IMPORTANT:
Always replace steering wheel attachment nut with a new nut. Never reuse old steering wheel attachment nut.
Torque: 40 N.m (30 ft-lbs)
40. Connect cruise control connector and install cruise control switch (if equipped).
41. Connect horn/cruise in-line connector, located under steering column.
42. Install a hood insulator retainer (P/N 21039146) into the lower left steering wheel puller threaded hole to isolate the wiring harness from any sharp edges. (This retainer is released as a hood insulator retainer for 1991 - 1994 model year vehicles; however, it can be used in this hole to prevent any possibility of wire chafing due to sharp edges.)
43. Connect inflator module to wiring harness and install integral connector lock device.
IMPORTANT:
Always replace inflator module fasteners with new fasteners. Never reuse old fasteners.
44. Install inflator module into steering wheel and torque fasteners, being careful not to cross thread fasteners.
Torque: 10 N.m (89 in-lbs)
45. Snap on screw covers.
46. On 1996 and 1997 vehicles, replace sensing and diagnostic module (SDM). (Refer to "SDM Replacement" procedure in the appropriate year "SIR Service Manual.")
IMPORTANT:
On 1996 and 1997 vehicles, if a DTC 24 is set, a DTC 71 will also be present. Since DTC 71 cannot be cleared from SDM history, the SDM must be replaced.
47. Connect yellow two-way SIR connector at the base of steering column and install connector position assurance (CPA) device to connector.
48. Connect yellow two-way passenger inflator module pigtail and install connector position assurance (CPA) device to connector.
49. Install upper trim panel insulator.
IMPORTANT:
Make sure to tuck in all flaps.
IMPORTANT:
Be sure upper trim panel seal is correctly seated on forward edge before installing upper trim panel.
50. Install upper trim panel into clips at base of windshield.
IMPORTANT:
Be careful, when removing or replacing upper trim panel, not to damage VIN plate.
51. Lower panel, making sure upper trim panel alignment tabs interlock with windshield garnish slots.
52. Push down at clip locations to secure.
53. Install and tighten screws.
Torque: 2.3 N.m (20 in-lbs)
54. Install screw caps.
55. Install AIR BAG fuse to I/P junction block.
56. Turn ignition switch to the RUN position and verify that the AIR BAG telltale lamp flashes seven times and then turns Off. If it does not operate as described, perform the "SIR Diagnostic System Check."