Side Curtain Airbag: Removal

The following procedure is for replacement of a faulty or damaged side curtain airbag. If the airbag is faulty or damaged, but not deployed, review the recommended procedures for handling non-deployed supplemental restraints. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - HANDLING NON-DEPLOYED SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINTS) . If the side curtain airbag has been deployed, review the recommended procedures for service after a supplemental restraint deployment before removing the airbag from the vehicle. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - SERVICE AFTER A SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT) .

WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supplemental restraint system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the supplemental restraint system. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.

WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, when removing a deployed airbag, rubber gloves, eye protection, and a long-sleeved shirt should be worn. There may be deposits on the airbag unit and other interior surfaces. In large doses, these deposits may cause irritation to the skin and eyes.

WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, use extreme care to prevent any foreign material from entering the side curtain airbag, or becoming entrapped between the side curtain airbag cushion and the roof rail garnish molding. Failure to observe this warning could result in occupant injuries upon airbag deployment.

Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.

Remove the pinch welt from the front door opening of the vehicle as needed to access the side curtain airbag. See Fig 1.

Fig 1: Pinch Welt

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - GRAB HANDLE

2 - B-PILLAR TRIM

3 - PINCH WELT

Remove the trim from the inside of the B-pillar. (Refer to BODY/INTERIOR/B-PILLAR TRIM - REMOVAL) .
Remove the grab handle from the headliner. (Refer to BODY/INTERIOR/ASSIST HANDLE - REMOVAL) .
Carefully remove the trim from the A-pillar that conceals the side curtain airbag front tether. See Fig 2.

Fig 2: A-Pillar Front Tether
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - A-PILLAR

2 - FRONT TETHER
Disconnect the pigtail wire connector for the side curtain airbag from the vehicle wire harness connector on the B-pillar. See Fig 3.

Fig 3: Side Curtain Airbag Connector
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - TIE WRAP

2 - B-PILLAR

3 - CONNECTOR
Cut the tie wrap that secures the side curtain airbag pigtail wire to the inside of the B-pillar.
Remove the screw that secures the side curtain airbag tether retainer to the base of the A-pillar near the belt line. See Fig 4.

Fig 4: Tether Anchor Screw
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - A-PILLAR

2 - TETHER

3 - SCREW

Remove the screw that secures the front of the side curtain airbag to the A-pillar. See Fig 5.

Fig 5: Side Curtain Airbag Screws

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG

2 - REAR SCREW

3 - FRONT SCREW

Remove the screw that secures the rear of the side curtain airbag to the B-pillar.
Disengage the lug that secures the side curtain airbag bracket from within the bore in the roof side rail and remove the unit from the vehicle. See Fig 6.

Fig 6: Side Curtain Airbag Remove

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - ROOF SIDE RAIL

2 - SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG