Service Procedure

NOTE:
The following recall inspection/repair procedure is an interim procedure. Dealer service and parts personnel are instructed to follow these instructions until further notice. Once a new component is available the recall documentation will be updated to include the revised recall inspection/repair procedure which will include the new component and repair procedure. The revised procedure will be updated in DealerCONNECT and a notification will be posted and/or sent.

A. Inspect Supplemental Restraint System using wiTECH Scan Tool

1. Open the hood and connect a battery charger to the battery.

2. Connect the wiTECH pod to the vehicle diagnostic link connector.

3. Open a wiTECH session.

4. Go to the "Vehicle View" screen.

5. Check and record any Passive Restraint Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC's).

> If any of the DTC's listed below are present, replace the clockspring. Continue to Section B - Replace Airbag Clockspring.

> B1B00 - Driver Airbag Squib 1 Circuit Low

> B1B01 - Driver Airbag Squib 1 Circuit High

> B1B02 - Driver Airbag Squib 1 Circuit Open

> B1B03 - Driver Airbag Squib 1 Circuit Shorted

> B1B04 - Driver Airbag Squib 2 Circuit Low

> B1B05 - Driver Airbag Squib 2 Circuit High

> B1B06 - Driver Airbag Squib 2 Circuit Open

> B1B07 - Driver Airbag Squib 2 Circuit Shorted

NOTE:
The above DTC's could also be set by other system issues not related to the clockspring. If after replacing the clockspring one or more of the above DTC's return, it is the vehicle owner's responsibility for additional diagnosis and repair costs.

> If there are DTC's other than listed above, additional diagnosis may be required and is not part of this recall. Additional repairs are the responsibility of the owner unless the vehicle is still in the new vehicle 3/36 warranty period. Continue with Step 6 of this procedure.

6. Remove the wiTECH pod and return the vehicle to the customer.

B. Replace Airbag Clockspring

NOTE:
The airbag clockspring should only be replaced after the inspection in Section A has determined that the clockspring is defective.

WARNING:
TO AVOID SERIOUS OR FATAL INJURY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, IMPACT SENSOR 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 SRS. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

NOTE:
A service replacement clockspring is shipped with the clockspring pre-centered and with a molded plastic locking pin installed. This locking pin should not be removed until the steering wheel has been installed on the steering column. If the locking pin is removed before the steering wheel is installed, the clockspring centering procedure must be performed.

NOTE:
When a clockspring is installed into a vehicle without properly centering and locking the entire steering system, the Steering Angle Sensor (SAS) data does not agree with the true position of the steering system and causes the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) system to shut down. This may also damage the clockspring without any immediate malfunction. Unlike some other Chrysler vehicles, this SAS never requires calibration.

NOTE:
Determining if the clockspring/SAS is centered is also possible electrically using the diagnostic scan tool. Steering wheel position is displayed as ANGLE with a range of up to 900 degrees. Refer to the appropriate menu item on the diagnostic scan tool.

NOTE:
Before starting this procedure, be certain to turn the steering wheel until the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position and that the entire steering system is locked or inhibited from rotation.

1. Place the front wheels in the straight ahead position and inhibit the steering column shaft from rotation.

2. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

3. Remove and save the driver airbag module retaining screws.





4. Separate the driver airbag module from the steering wheel and disconnect the two airbag electrical connectors (Figure 1) and the one horn connector. Then set the driver airbag module aside.





5. Remove and discard the steering wheel retaining bolt from the steering shaft (Figure 2).

6. Remove and save the steering wheel assembly.

7. Move the steering column to the fully lowered position and leave the tilt release lever in the released (down) position.





8. Remove and save the upper and lower steering column shrouds from the steering column (Figure 3).

9. Remove the three screws that secure the clockspring to the steering column lock housing.





10. Pull the clockspring away from the steering column lock housing far enough to access and disconnect the four instrument panel wire harness connectors from the receptacles on the back of the clockspring (Figure 4).

11. Remove the clockspring, with both multi-function switches attached, from the steering column.





12. Remove and save the right multi-function switch retaining screws (Figure 5).





13. Remove and save the left multi-function switch retaining screws (Figure 6).

14. Remove both multi-function switches from the original clockspring as an assembly.

15. Place both multi-function switches onto the new clockspring as an assembly.

16. Install the left multi-function switch retaining screws (Figure 6). Tighten the screws to 10 in. lbs. (1 N.m).

17. Install the right multi-function switch retaining screws (Figure 5). Tighten the screws to 10 in. lbs. (1 N.m).

18. Carefully slide the clockspring down over the steering column upper shaft far enough to reconnect the four instrument panel wire harness connectors to the receptacles on the back of the clockspring case.

19. Position the clockspring onto the steering column lock housing.

20. Connect the four instrument panel wire harness connectors to the receptacles on the back of the clockspring (Figure 4).

21. Install and tighten the three screws that secure the clockspring to the steering column lock housing in the following sequence: lower right, upper left, upper right. Tighten the screws to 27 in. lbs. (3 N.m).

CAUTION:
Use of an improper sequence when tightening the clockspring mounting screws may result in an audible ticking noise as the steering wheel is rotated.

22. Install the upper and lower steering column shrouds onto the steering column (Figure 3).

23. Move the steering column back to the fully raised position and move the tilt release lever back to the locked (up) position.

24. Install the steering wheel assembly onto the steering column.

25. Install a new steering wheel retaining bolt and tighten the bolt to 40 ft. lbs. (54 N.m) (Figure 2).

26. Remove the plastic locking pin that secures the clockspring rotor to the clockspring case.

27. Connect the two airbag electrical connectors and the one horn electrical connector to the driver airbag module.

28. Install the driver airbag module onto the steering wheel.

28. Install the two steering wheel airbag module retaining screws. Tighten the screws to 10 ft.lbs. (13 N.m).

29. Reconnect the battery negative cable.

30. Using the wiTECH scan tool, clear all DTC's.

31. Remove the battery charger and wiTECH from the vehicle.