ITS Head Airbag
Removing and installing / replacing left or right ITS head airbag
Warning!
Observe safety precautions for handling airbag modules and pyrotechnical seat belt tensioners, refer to Service Precautions Service Precautions
Incorrect handling can activate airbag and cause injury.
If the ITS head airbag is damaged during removal or installation, it must be replaced.
A damaged ITS head airbag exhibits an impaired protective function and in extreme cases loses its protective function altogether.
Remove headliner. Service and Repair
Remove trim for instrument panel.
Installation summary, retaining elements, ITS head airbag, E46 Coup�
1. Retaining screw, A-pillar (front)
2. Retaining clips, retainer, trim panel, A-pillar
3. Retainer, A-pillar, front
4. Retainer, A-pillar, rear
5. Bracket on B-pillar
6. Retaining screw, rear
Important! When removing ITS head airbag, do not damage
- ITS head airbag
- Windshield
- retainer, trim panel, A-pillar
Disconnect plug for ITS head airbag gas generator, refer Unlocking/locking airbag plug connections Service and Repair
Unfasten nut.
Remove ITS head airbag gas generator.
Installation:
Replace self-locking nut.
Tightening torque 4 Nm
1. Bore for accommodating threaded pin of gas generator, ITS head airbag, on support tube for instrument panel
2. Locating pin on gas generator, ITS head airbag, for securing to support tube for instrument panel
Installation:
The threaded pin for securing the ITS head airbag gas generator to the support tube for the instrument panel must be secured in place in the bore hole in the ITS head airbag gas generator (1).
The retaining pin on the ITS head airbag gas generator must be secured in place in the bore hole in the support tube for instrument panel (2).
Note: Gas generator version as of 09/99
The gas generator, ITS head airbag, will be altered from 09/99.
The modified ITS head airbag gas generator has two locating lugs (1) as locating fixtures and an oval bore (2) as mounting point for securing to support tube for instrument panel.
The oval bore (2) for securing to the support tube for instrument panel essentially corresponds to the mounting of the gas generator up to 09/99.
Support tube for instrument panel from 09/99:
1. Threaded pin for attaching ITS head airbag gas generator
2. Bore for accommodating locating lugs of ITS head airbag gas generator
Disconnect plug for ITS head airbag gas generator, refer to Unlocking/locking airbag plug connections Service and Repair
Slacken nut (1).
Swivel ITS head airbag gas generator to one side (2) and remove towards rear (3).
Installation:
Replace self-locking nut.
Tightening torque 4 Nm
Installation:
The two locating lugs (1) on the ITS head airbag gas generator must be secured in the two bores in the support tube for instrument panel (2).
Installation:
During installation, the ITS head airbag gas generator does not rest flush on the support tube for instrument panel; there is an intentional gap (A).
Tightening the self-locking nut builds up a desired pretension, which serves as additional security against release.
Note: If a gas generator of version up to 09/99 is replaced by a gas generator from 09/99, it will be necessary to modify the support tube for instrument panel.
A precondition for the modifications to be carried out on the instrument panel support tube is the presence of the threaded pin (1) for securing the ITS head airbag gas generator.
It is not essential to have the bore hole (2) to secure the ITS head airbag gas generator.
Make sure the contact surface of the ITS head airbag gas generator with the support tube for instrument panel is flat.
The modified ITS head airbag gas generator has two locating lugs (1) as locating fixtures and an oval bore (2) as mounting point for securing to support tube for instrument panel.
The oval bore (2) for securing to the support tube for instrument panel essentially corresponds to the mounting of the gas generator up to 09 / 99.
Two 8.5 mm dia. bores must be drilled in the instrument panel support tube.
Mark out measurements for both bores on instrument panel support tube.
Height measurement (center bore) of lower bore:
Measurement (A) = 25 mm from lower edge of sheet metal into which both bores are drilled.
Height measurement of upper bore:
Measurement (A) = 47 mm from lower edge of sheet metal into which both bores are drilled.
Mark out measurements for both bores on instrument panel support tube.
Side measurement of lower bore:
Measurement (D) = 11.0 mm from edge of sheet metal into which both bores are drilled.
Side measurement of upper bore:
Measurement (D) = 10.5 mm from edge of sheet metal into which both bores are drilled.
Note: Make sure that in the area of the marked bores there are no leads or other items of equipment which can be damaged. If necessary, remove or protect existing components. Draw off swarf when drilling.
Drill two 8.5 mm dia. bores (1, 2) at the marked points in the instrument panel support tube.
Deburr bores and protect against rust.
Note: A bracket (1) for the instrument panel trim is spot-welded to the instrument panel support tube on LHD vehicles on the right (in direction of travel) and on RHD vehicles on the left (in direction of travel).
The two bores (1) for securing the ITS head airbag gas generator from 07/99 are seated in the direct vicinity of the welding spots for the bracket for the instrument panel trim (2).
After drilling the two bores (1) for securing the ITS head airbag gas generator from 07/99, it is absolutely essential to check the strength of the welding spots for the bracket for the instrument panel trim (2); if necessary, reweld or reset the welding spots.
Note: If a gas generator of the version up to 07/98 is replaced by a gas generator of the version from 07/99, it is necessary to make further modifications.
The plug for the ITS head airbag gas generator has been changed and the cable length must be extended by approx. 250 mm to accommodate the altered gas generator.
Procedure for extending airbag cables is the same as the procedure for cable repairs:
If wiring harness is visibly damaged, refer to Repairing airbag cables
Release retaining screw, A-pillar.
Note: Screw is held in end fitting by locking washer.
Installation:
Tightening torque 11 Nm
View of mounting bolt on A-pillar with end fitting of ITS head airbag
1. End fitting of ITS head airbag
2. Lock washer
3. Mounting bolt on A-pillar
Release rear retaining screw (1).
Note: Bolt is held in end fitting (2) by retaining disk.
Installation:
Tightening torque 11 Nm
View of rear retaining screw with end fitting of ITS head airbag
1. End fitting of ITS head airbag
2. Lock washer
3. Retaining screw, rear
Unscrew bolt (1).
Push retainer on B-pillar towards top.
Remove retainer on B-pillar towards front.
Installation:
Tightening torque 4 Nm
During installation, ensure that retaining lug is correctly seated in body.
View of ITS head airbag retainer
1. Retaining bore for retaining lug of ITS head airbag retainer
2. Retaining lug on ITS head airbag retainer must snap into place in retaining bore
3. ITS head airbag retainer
4. ITS head airbag
Unscrew bolt (1).
Push A-pillar retainer upwards.
Remove A-pillar retainer at rear towards front.
Installation:
Tightening torque 4 Nm
During installation, ensure that retaining lug is correctly seated in body.
View of retainer, A-pillar, rear
1. Retaining bore for retaining lug of retainer, A-pillar, rear in body
2. Retaining lug on retainer, A-pillar, rear, must snap into place in retaining bore
3. Retainer, A-pillar, rear
4. ITS head airbag
Unscrew bolt (1).
Push retainer, A-pillar, front, towards rear (2).
Remove retainer, A-pillar, towards front (3).
Installation:
Tightening torque 4 Nm
During installation, ensure that retaining lug is correctly seated in body.
Unclip A-pillar wiring harness from retaining lugs of A-pillar trim holder.
Position of retaining clips, A-pillar trim holder.
Important!
When removing retainer, trim panel, A-pillar, it is absolutely essential to avoid
- damage to paintwork,
- damage to retainer, trim panel, A-pillar,
- damage to windshield,
- damage to ITS head airbag!
Remove retainer, trim panel, A-pillar.
To do so, insert screwdriver (2) in area of retaining clip between A-pillar trim holder (1) and body (3).
Carry out this procedure on all retaining clips.
Installation:
Replace all retaining clips that have been removed.
1. retainer, trim panel, A-pillar
2. Screwdriver
3. Body (A-pillar)
Remove ITS head airbag.