Removal And Installation: Removal
To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbags, airbag curtains, knee blocker, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect the Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS)/negative battery cable assembly from the negative battery post, 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 SRS. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.
To avoid serious or fatal 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.
The following procedure is for replacement of an ineffective or damaged Driver AirBag (DAB). If the airbag is ineffective or damaged, but not deployed, review the recommended procedures for Handling Non-Deployed Supplemental Restraints. Refer to HANDLING NON-DEPLOYED SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINTS . If the DAB has been deployed, review the recommended procedures for Service After A Supplemental Restraint Deployment before removing the airbag from the vehicle. Refer to SERVICE AFTER A SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DEPLOYMENT .
- Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable. If equipped with an Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS), disconnect the IBS connector first before disconnecting the negative battery cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
- Locate the access holes (1b) in the lower surface of the steering wheel hub rear trim cover near each of the two horizontal spokes.
- Insert an appropriately sized straight-bladed screwdriver through one of the steering wheel access holes far enough to engage the blade of the screwdriver between the latch feature (1c) of the DAB and the hook of the steering wheel armature.
- While pulling the DAB lightly upward, rotate the screwdriver handle (1a) to disengage the DAB latch feature from the hook of the steering wheel armature.
- Insert a trim stick or another long and thin obstacle between the released side of the DAB and the steering wheel. This will help to prevent the released side of the DAB from becoming accidentally engaged again, while the latch feature on the opposite side is being released.
- Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for the opposite side of the DAB.
- Pull the DAB away from the steering wheel far enough to access the clockspring pigtail (2) and steering wheel wire harness (1) connections to the horn switch and the DAB inflator initiators.
- Disconnect the steering wheel wire harness connector (1) from the floating horn switch plate connector on the back of the switch plate.CAUTION:
Do not pull on the clockspring pigtail wires or pry on the connector insulators to disengage them from the Driver AirBag (DAB) inflator initiator connector receptacles. Improper removal of these pigtail wires and their connector insulators can result in damage to the airbag circuits or the connector insulators.
- The clockspring DAB pigtail wire connector insulator (1) is secured by integral latches (3) and a Connector Position Assurance (CPA) lock (2) to the airbag inflator connector receptacle, which is located on the back of the floating horn switch plate and the DAB housing. Pull the lock straight out from the connector insulator, then pull the insulator straight out from the connector receptacle to disengage and disconnect it.
- Remove the DAB and floating horn switch plate from the steering wheel as a unit.
- If the DAB has been deployed, the clockspring and stalk unit as well as the steering column must be replaced and. Refer to CLOCKSPRING, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION and COLUMN, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .