Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.
Home >> Dodge or Ram Truck >> 2004 >> RAM 3500 Truck 2WD V8-5.7L VIN D >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Restraints and Safety Systems >> Air Bag Systems >> Air Bag >> Service and Repair >> Driver Airbag >> Removal and Installation

Removal and Installation

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

WARNING:
- ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG, PASSENGER AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG, 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 AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL 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.

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
2. From the underside of the steering wheel, remove the two screws that secure the two trim covers or speed control switches to each side of the driver airbag trim cover.
3. From the top of the steering wheel, remove the two trim covers or speed control switches from the pockets on each side of the driver airbag trim cover to access the driver airbag mounting screws.

Fig. 18 Driver Airbag Remove/Install:




4. Remove the two screws that secure the driver airbag to the steering wheel armature.
5. Pull the driver airbag away from the steering wheel far enough to access the two electrical connections at the back of the airbag housing.
6. Disconnect the horn switch feed pigtail wire connector located at the back of the driver airbag housing from the clockspring upper connector receptacle for the horn switch.

CAUTION: Do not pull on the clockspring pigtail wires or pry on the connector insulator to disengage the connector from the driver airbag inflator connector receptacle. Improper removal of these pigtail wires and their connector insulators can result in damage to the airbag circuits or connector insulators.

7. The clockspring driver airbag pigtail wire connector is secured by integral latches to the airbag inflator connector receptacle, which is located on the back of the driver airbag housing. Depress the latches on each side of the connector insulator and pull the insulator straight out from the airbag inflator to disconnect it from the connector receptacle.
8. Remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel.
9. If the driver airbag has been deployed, the clockspring must be replaced. (Refer to RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING - REMOVAL).

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

WARNING:
- ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG, PASSENGER AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG, 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 AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
- USE EXTREME CARE TO PREVENT ANY FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM ENTERING THE DRIVER AIRBAG, OR BECOMING ENTRAPPED BETWEEN THE DRIVER AIRBAG CUSHION AND THE DRIVER AIRBAG TRIM COVER. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURIES UPON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
- THE DRIVER AIRBAG TRIM COVER MUST NEVER BE PAINTED. REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS ARE SERVICED WITH TRIM COVERS IN THE ORIGINAL COLORS. PAINT MAY CHANGE THE WAY IN WHICH THE MATERIAL OF THE TRIM COVER RESPONDS TO AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURIES UPON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

1. Position the driver airbag close enough to the steering wheel to reconnect the two electrical connections at the back of the airbag housing.
2. When installing the driver airbag, reconnect the clockspring driver airbag pigtail wire connector to the airbag inflator connector receptacle by pressing straight in on the connector. You can be certain that the connector is fully engaged in its receptacle by listening carefully for a distinct, audible click as the connector latches snap into place.
3. Reconnect the horn switch feed pigtail wire connector located at the back of the driver airbag housing to the clockspring upper connector receptacle for the horn switch.
4. Carefully position the driver airbag in the steering wheel. Be certain that the clockspring pigtail wire and the horn switch feed pigtail wire in the steering wheel hub area are not pinched between the driver airbag and the steering wheel armature. Also, if equipped, be certain that the steering wheel wire harness take outs for the speed control switches are not trapped behind the driver airbag.
5. Install and tighten the two screws that secure the driver airbag to the steering wheel armature. Tighten the screws to 14 Nm (120 in. lbs.).
6. From the top of the steering wheel, position the two trim covers or speed control switches into the pockets on each side of the driver airbag trim cover.
7. From the underside of the steering wheel, install and tighten the two screws that secure the two trim covers or speed control switches to each side of the driver airbag trim cover. Tighten the screws to 2 Nm (15 in. lbs.).
8. Do not reconnect the battery negative cable at this time. The supplemental restraint system verification test procedure should be performed following service of any supplemental restraint system component (Refer to RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - VERIFICATION TEST).
pro multis · About Operation CHARM