Air Bag Control Module: Service and Repair

WARNING: DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE CONTAINS THE IMPACT SENSOR, WHICH ENABLES THE SYSTEM TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS. NEVER STRIKE OR KICK THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE, AS IT CAN DAMAGE THE IMPACT SENSOR OR AFFECT ITS CALIBRATION. IF AN AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE IS ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED DURING SERVICE, THE MODULE MUST BE SCRAPPED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW UNIT. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL, INCOMPLETE, OR IMPROPER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE OCCUPANT INJURIES.

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. If either of the airbags has not been deployed, wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
2. Pull the carpet on the right and left sides of the floor panel transmission tunnel rearward far enough to access the Airbag Control Module (ACM), which is forward of the floor console.
3. If the vehicle is equipped with the optional Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), remove the acceleration switch from the left side of the mounting bracket on the floor panel transmission tunnel.

Fig.5 Airbag Control Module:

4. Remove the four screws that secure the Airbag Control Module (ACM) to the mounting bracket that is welded onto the floor panel transmission tunnel.
5. Lift the ACM upward from the mounting bracket far enough to disengage the locator pins on the ACM housing from the locator holes in the mounting bracket, then pull the ACM out from under the instrument panel far enough to access the wire harness connector.

Fig.7 Airbag Control Module Connector Removal:

6. Disconnect the cross body wire harness connector for the ACM from the ACM connector receptacle. To disconnect the cross body wire harness connector from the ACM:
a. Pull the white Connector Positive Assurance (CPA) locks on each side of the connector out about 3 millimeters (0.125 in.).
b. Squeeze the latch tabs on each side of the connector between the thumb and forefinger and pull the connector straight away from the ACM connector receptacle.

7. Remove the ACM from beneath the instrument panel.

INSTALLATION
1. Position the Airbag Control Module (ACM) beneath the instrument panel.
2. Reconnect the cross body wire harness connector for the ACM to the ACM connector receptacle. Be certain that the connector latches and the white Connector Positive Assurance (CPA) locks are fully engaged.
3. Carefully position the ACM to the mounting bracket that is welded onto the floor panel transmission tunnel. When the ACM is correctly positioned, the locator pins on the ACM housing will be engaged in the locator holes in the mounting bracket, and the arrow on the ACM label will be pointed forward in the vehicle.
4. Install and tighten the four screws that secure the ACM to the mounting bracket welded onto the floor panel transmission tunnel. Tighten the screws to 14 Nm (125 in. lbs.).
5. If the vehicle is equipped with the optional ABS brakes, reinstall the acceleration switch onto the left side of the mounting bracket on the floor panel transmission tunnel.
6. Restore the carpet on the right and left sides of the floor panel transmission tunnel to its proper position beneath the instrument panel.
7. Do not reconnect the battery negative cable at this time. The airbag system verification test procedure should be performed following service of any airbag system component (Refer to RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - VERIFICATION TEST).