Repair Procedure A - MDX
NOTE:Before doing any repairs or services, review the SRS components in this area.
^ Refer to section 23 of the 2001-02 MDX Service Manual, or
^ Online, enter keyword SRS, and select SRS Component Location Index and SRS Service and Precautions.
1. Make sure you have the anti-theft codes for the radio and the navigation system (if equipped). Write down your client's radio station presets.
2. Disconnect the battery negative cable. Wait at least 3 minutes before continuing.
3. Remove the access panel from under the steering wheel.
4. Unplug the cable reel 2P connector from the driver's airbag 2P connector.
NOTE:
When unplugged, the driver's airbag connector is automatically shorted.
5. Remove the two steering wheel covers. Use a Torx T30 bit to remove the two Torx bolts, then throw the torx bolts away. Unplug the horn wire, and remove the driver's airbag.
6. Unplug the connectors from the remote audio and cruise control switches.
7. Make sure the front wheels are aligned straight ahead.
8. Remove the steering wheel nut. Make an alignment mark on the steering wheel shaft with a paint stripe.
9. Using a commercially available steering wheel puller, release the steering wheel from the steering shaft. While pulling the steering wheel, note these items:
^ Do not tap on the steering wheel or the steering column shaft when removing the steering wheel.
^ If you thread the puller bolts into the wheel hub more than five threads, the bolts will hit the cable reel and damage it. To prevent this, install a pair of jam nuts five threads up on each puller bolt.
10. Remove the steering wheel puller, and then remove the steering wheel from the steering column.
11. Remove the dashboard lower cover.
12. Remove the upper and lower steering column covers.
13. Unplug the SRS main harness 2P connector, and then detach the dashboard wire harness 4P connector from the cable reel. Remove the screws from the cable reel, and then remove the cable reel from the column.
14. Unplug the headlights switch 14P connector and the wiper/washer 8P connectors. Remove the three screws from the combination switch assembly, and then remove the combination switch from the steering column.
15. Use a small, flat-tipped screwdriver to lightly dimple the shield in eight places as shown.
NOTICE
Do not press too hard with the screwdriver when dimpling the shield. The dimples should be deep enough to catch your fingernail on. If the dimples are too deep, the steering effort will be too high, and the steering column will have to be replaced.
16. Reinstall the combination switch assembly, and secure it with the three original screws. Reconnect the light switch 14P connector and both wiper/washer 8P connectors.
17. Position the cancel sleeve on the combination switch assembly so that the projections on the sleeve are aligned vertically.
18. Carefully reinstall the cable reel with the original screws.
19. Reconnect the SRS main harness 2P connector and the cable reel 2P connector, and then plug the dashboard wire harness 4P connector and cable reel 4P connector together.
20. Reinstall the upper and lower steering column covers with the original screws.
21. If needed, center the cable reel by first rotating the reel clockwise until it stops, and then rotating it counterclockwise (approximately two and a half turns) until the arrow mark on the reel label points straight up.
22. Line up the paint marks, and reinstall the steering wheel. Torque the nut to 49 N.m (36 lb-ft).
23. Plug in the connectors for the remote audio and cruise control switches.
*24. Reconnect the horn wire, and reinstall the driver's airbag using new Torx bolts. Torque the bolts to 9.8 N.m (7.2 lb-ft). Reinstall the steering wheel covers.*
25. Reinstall the lower dashboard cover.
26. Reconnect the 2P cable reel connector to the driver's airbag 2P connector.
27. Reinstall the upper access panel.
28. Reconnect the battery negative cable.
29. Do the idle learn procedure:
^ Make sure all electrical items are turned off, then start the engine.
^ Let the engine reach its normal operating temperature (the cooling fan cycles twice).
^ Let the engine idle (throttle fully closed and with all electrical items off) for 10 minutes.
30. When you start the engine, check that the SRS system indicator comes on and then goes off after a few seconds.
31. Check the operation of the horn, the turn signals, the remote audio buttons, and the cruise control switches.
32. Enter the anti-theft codes for the radio and the navigation system (if equipped), and then enter your client's radio station presets.
33. Set the clock.