Service Procedure

The following procedure provides instructions for disabling the AIR BAG on/off switch located in the instrument panel on "REGULAR CAB" full size pickups and vans, installing new air bag warning labels on the sun visors, and updating the Owner's Manual on the vans. Additionally, there are instructions for installing a new right front passenger seatback frame that has child seat anchor provisions on "EXTENDED CAB" full size pickups.

Regular Cab Pickup Trucks - Disable Air Bag Switch

Important
This procedure is NOT to be used on "EXTENDED CAB" models.

1. Remove the AIR BAG fuse.

2. If equipped with an automatic transmission, place the shift lever in a low gear.





3. Carefully release the clips retaining the instrument panel cluster bezel to the instrument panel.

4. Place the shift lever in PARK and turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.





5. Remove the AIR BAG on/off switch and bezel.

6. Disconnect the electrical connector from the AIR BAG switch and remove the switch from the bezel.

Important
The purpose of the adhesive in the next step is to disable the switch so that it can't be operated with a key. It is NOT necessary to wait for the adhesive to cure before reinstalling.

7. With the AIR BAG switch in the ON position, apply the adhesive into the key cylinder opening in the switch.

8. Reconnect the electrical connector to the AIR BAG switch and apply foam tape around the switch to prevent rattles.

9. Position the switch and wiring into the recessed opening in the instrument panel and secure with tape as necessary.

10. Install the "blank" panel into the switch bezel in place of the AIR BAG switch.

11. Install the switch bezel assembly into the instrument panel.

12. Place the shift lever in low gear and install the instrument panel cluster bezel to the instrument panel.

13. Place the shift lever in PARK.

14. Install the AIR BAG fuse.

15. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position and verify that the AIR BAG light flashes seven times and goes out.

16. Install a new label over the existing label on both the driver and passenger sun visors.

Vans - Disable Air Bag Switch

1. Remove the AIR BAG fuse from the fuse block.





2. Remove the two screws (2), release the six retaining clips, and remove the driver's side knee bolster trim panel (1).





3. Remove the two instrument panel bezel nuts (2).





4. Remove the four nuts (2) for the driver's knee bolster (1).

5. If equipped, remove the OnStar module screw and reposition the module.

6. Remove the driver's knee bolster.





7. Remove the two screws (2) for the passenger side knee bolster trim panel and remove the panel (1).

8. Remove the two bolts supporting the steering column and carefully lower the column.

9. Place the gearshift lever in a low gear.





10. Carefully pull the instrument panel bezel in the sequence listed to release the retaining clips.

1. Pull on the bottom.

2. Pull at the left corner.

3. Pull at the right corner.

4. Pull at the top.

11. Disconnect the necessary electrical connectors from the rear of the bezel and remove the bezel.

12. Remove the AIR BAG switch from the bezel.

13. Install the "blank" panel into the bezel in place of the AIR BAG switch.

Important
The purpose of the adhesive in the next step is to disable the switch so that it can't be operated with a key. It is NOT necessary to wait for the adhesive to cure before reinstalling.

14. With the AIR BAG switch in the ON position, apply the adhesive into the key cylinder opening in the switch.

15. Reconnect the electrical connector to the AIR BAG switch and apply foam tape around the switch to prevent rattles.

16. Position the switch and wiring into the recessed opening in the instrument panel and secure with tape as necessary.

17. Connect any necessary electrical connectors to the bezel.

18. Install the instrument panel cluster bezel to the instrument panel.

19. Place the gearshift lever in PARK.

20. Carefully raise the steering column and install the two bolts. Tighten

Tighten the bolts to 30 N.m (22 lb ft).

21. Position the passenger side knee bolster trim panel and install the two screws. Tighten Tighten the screws to 3.5 N.m (31 lb in).

22. Position the driver's knee bolster and install the four nuts. Tighten Tighten the nuts to 10 N.m (88 lb in).

23. If equipped, reposition the OnStar module and install the bracket screw. Tighten
Tighten the screw to 3 N.m (27 lb in).

24. Install the two instrument panel bezel nuts (2). Tighten Tighten the nuts to 6 N.m (53 lb in).

25. Install the driver's side knee bolster trim panel, engage the six retaining clips, and install the two screws. Tighten

Tighten the two screws to 3.5 N.m (31 lb in).

26. Install the AIR BAG fuse.

27. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position and verify that the AIR BAG light flashes seven times and goes out.

28. Install a new label over the existing label on both the driver and passenger sun visors.





29. Copy the Owner's Manual Update and place it in the Owner's Manual.

Extended Cab Pickup Truck - Seatback Frame Replacement

Important
This procedure is NOT to be used on "REGULAR CAB" Pickups or Vans.

Important
For additional information, see the Seats Subsection in the Body Section of the appropriate service manual.

Important
It is not necessary to remove the seat from the vehicle when performing this procedure.

1. Remove the head restraint from the seat assembly.

2. Move the seat to the full forward position.

3. Release the J-strip fastener on the bottom of the seatback cover.

4. Remove the two push-in retainers at the lower rear of the seatback.

5. From the bottom of the seatback, place your hand up the front side of the seatback cover and release the hook and loop fasteners that attach the seatback cover to the foam pad.

Important
The retaining spring clip in the next step is similar to those used to attach manual window crank handles. Do not remove the clip completely to remove the armrest. To avoid the possibility of losing the clip, reinstall the clip immediately after removing the armrest.

6. On bucket seats, remove the armrest by accessing and releasing the retaining spring clip from the bottom of the seatback cushion cover.

7. Starting at the bottom of the seatback, pull the seatback cover upwards. The bottom of the cover should be turning inside out as the cover rolls upward. Continue pulling the cover upwards until it reaches the top of the seatback.





8. Reach up inside the seat and squeeze the base of each head restraint retainer and push it up and out of the seatback frame.

9. Unsnap the seat belt bezel from the retractor tower.

10. Finish removing the seat cover.

11. Release the adhesive between the foam pad and the cardboard on both the left and right sides of the seatback. Remove the cardboard.

12. Remove the seat belt retractor from the seatback tower.

13. Remove the bolt attaching the retractor to the lower seatback.

14. Remove the bolt attaching the retractor to the upper seatback and remove the retractor.

15. Release and remove the foam pad from the seat frame.

16. On seats WITHOUT lumbar features, remove the seatback spring support from the seatback frame and transfer it to the NEW seatback frame.

17. On seats WITH lumbar features, disconnect the electrical connectors.

18. Remove the two outboard bolts attaching the seatback frame to the lower cushion frame.

19. Remove the one inboard bolt attaching the seatback frame to the lower cushion frame.

20. Slide the seatback frame upwards to separate it from the lower frame.

21. On seats WITH lumbar features, drill out the necessary rivets and transfer the lumber feature to the new seatback frame.

22. Position the new seatback frame to the lower seat cushion frame and slide into position.

23. Install the one inboard bolt attaching the seatback frame to the lower frame.

24. Install the two outboard bolts attaching the seatback frame to the lower frame.

25. On seats WITH lumbar features, connect the electrical connectors.

26. Position the foam pad on the seatback frame.

27. Position the seat belt retractor to the seat frame and install the upper bolt. Tighten

Tighten the bolt to 53 N~m (39 lb ft).

28. Install the lower bolt attaching the seat belt retractor to the seat frame. Tighten Tighten the bolt to 53 N.m (39 lb ft).

29. Attach the seat belt retractor to the seatback tower.

30. Install the cardboard and attach it to the foam pad. If necessary, apply additional spray adhesive.

31. Install the seat cover over the top portion of the seatback frame.

32. Install the head restraint retainers through the openings in the seat cover. The retainers will snap into place when fully seated.

Important
When reinstalling the seatback cover in the next step, verify that the pleats in the seat cover attach correctly to the foam cushion with the hook and loop fasteners.

33. Install the seatback cover and attach the J-strip and two push-in retainers at the lower rear of the cover.

34. Position the seat belt bezel to the retractor tower and snap into place.

35. On bucket seats, install the armrest to the seat and press inwards until it's retained by the spring clip.

36. Install the head restraint.

37. Return the seat assembly to the original position.