Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Removal and Installation

Removal

WARNING: Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: Carry a live air bag module with the air bag and trim cover pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: Do not set a live air bag module down with the trim cover face down, this will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin, wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.

WARNING: Never probe the connectors on the air bag module, doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.

WARNING: Air bag modules with discolored or damaged trim covers must be replaced, not repainted.

WARNING: Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for proper system operation, if a vehicle equipped with an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) is involved in a collision, inspect the sensor mounting bracket and wiring pigtail for deformation. Replace and properly position the sensor or any other damaged supplemental restraint system (SRS) components whether or not the air bag is deployed.

WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.

The side air bag sensors are located at or near the base of the B-pillar.

To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped)
.

1. Disconnect the battery cables and wait at least one minute.
1. Remove the battery ground cable.
2. Remove the battery to starter relay cable.

2. NOTE: Make sure the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position.

Remove the steering wheel.





3. Remove the screws and position the parking brake release handle aside.





4. Remove the screws and position the hood release aside.





5. Remove two screws and the instrument panel steering column cover.





6. Remove the instrument panel steering column opening cover reinforcement.





7. Disconnect the ignition switch electrical connector.
1. Remove the bolt.
2. Disconnect the electrical connector.





8. Disconnect the electrical connectors.





9. On automatic transmission vehicles, remove the transmission range indicator (PRND21) from the steering column.
1. Remove the bolt.
2. Remove the indicator cable.





10. On automatic transmission vehicles, disconnect the shift cable from the steering column.
1. Disconnect the shift cable from the steering column shift tube lever.
2. Disconnect the shift cable from the steering column bracket.





11. Disconnect the brake shift interlock solenoid electrical connector.
12. Remove the air bag sliding contact.





13. Remove the upper intermediate steering shaft to column shaft bolt.
1. Remove and discard the steering column shaft pinch bolt.
2. Slide the intermediate shaft yoke from the steering column.





14. Remove the lower steering column nuts.





15. Remove the steering column.
1. Remove the nuts.
2. Remove the steering column support.
3. Remove the steering column.

Installation

WARNING: Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: Carry a live air bag module with the air bag and trim cover pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: Do not set a live air bag module down with the trim cover face down, this will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin, wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.

WARNING: Never probe the connectors on the air bag module, doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.

WARNING: Air bag modules with discolored or damaged trim covers must be replaced, not repainted.

WARNING: Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for proper system operation, if a vehicle equipped with an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) is involved in a collision, inspect the sensor mounting bracket and wiring pigtail for deformation. Replace and properly position the sensor or any other damaged supplemental restraint system (SRS) components whether or not the air bag is deployed.

WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.

The side air bag sensors are located at or near the base of the B-pillar.

To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped)
.





























1. Follow the removal procedure in reverse order.
^ Use a new pinch bolt.