Air Bag, Driver: 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, 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 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 STANDARD PROCEDURE . 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 STANDARD PROCEDURE .
- Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
- Remove the upper and lower shrouds from the steering column. Refer to SHROUD, STEERING COLUMN, UPPER, REMOVAL .
- Insert the (special tool #2013400230, Tool, Driver Airbag Removal) (1) between the back of the steering wheel rear trim cover (2) and the steering wheel armature hub near one of the retainer spring hook locations. There are three small holes in the rear trim cover, one adjacent to each of the retainer spring and hook access points.
- Insert the blade of the DAB removal tool between the hook (1) within the hub cavity of the steering wheel armature (2) and the retainer spring in the DAB mounting plate.
- With the blade of the DAB removal tool firmly engaged between the hook and the retainer spring (4) of the DAB mounting plate (1), move the handle of the tool to rotate the blade of the tool far enough to disengage the retainer spring from under the hook of the steering wheel armature.
- Pull the released side of the DAB away from the steering wheel far enough to insert a trim stick or another long and thin obstacle between the DAB and the steering wheel hub cavity. This will help to prevent the released retainer spring location from becoming accidentally engaged again, while the other two engagement locations of the retainer spring are being released.
- Repeat Steps 3, 4 and 5 for the other two retainer spring engagement locations.
- Pull the DAB away from the steering wheel far enough to access the clockspring pigtail wire harness connections to the horn switch (3) and the DAB inflator initiator (2).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 is secured by an integral latch to the airbag inflator initiator connector receptacle, which is located on the back of the DAB housing. Squeeze the latch tab against the connector insulator, then pull the insulator straight out from the connector receptacle to disengage and disconnect it.
- Remove the DAB from the steering wheel.
- If the DAB has been deployed, the clockspring and the steering column must also be replaced. Refer to COLUMN, REMOVAL or CLOCKSPRING, REMOVAL .