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Air Bag Control Module: Service and Repair

WARNING:
- THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE CONTAINS THE IMPACT SENSOR, WHICH ENABLES THE SYSTEM TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAG. BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE OR SERVICE ANY AIRBAG SYSTEM OR RELATED STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENTS YOU MUST FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE. THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE FURTHER SYSTEM SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DO THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

- NEVER STRIKE OR KICK THE AIR BAG 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. If the vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, remove the center console from the floor panel transmission tunnel.

Airbag Control Module Trim Cover Remove/Install:




3. If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, remove the two screws that secure the trim cover to the Airbag Control Module (ACM) mounting bracket on the floor panel transmission tunnel and remove the trim cover.

Airbag Control Module Remove/Install:




4. Loosen the screw that secures each side of the instrument panel center support bracket to the ACM mounting bracket. Do not remove these screws.
5. Remove the two nuts that secure the instrument panel center support bracket to the studs on the lower instrument panel structural support.
6. Disengage the retainer on the instrument panel wire harness to the ACM from the mounting hole in the left side of the instrument panel center support bracket.
7. Pull the top of the instrument panel center support bracket rearward and down from the instrument panel studs. Fold it down over the top of the ACM until it is laying flat on the floor panel transmission tunnel.
8. Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector from the ACM. To disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector from the ACM:
a. Slide the red Connector Position Assurance (CPA) lock on the top of the connector toward the side of the vehicle.
b. Depress the connector latch tab and pull the connector straight away from the ACM connector receptacle.

NOTE: Always remove and replace the airbag control module and its mounting bracket as a unit. Replacement modules include a replacement mounting bracket. Do not transfer the module to another mounting bracket.

9. Remove the four screws that secure the ACM mounting bracket to the floor panel transmission tunnel.
10. Remove the ACM, the mounting bracket and the instrument panel center support bracket from the floor panel transmission tunnel as a unit.

INSTALLATION
1. Carefully position the ACM, the mounting bracket and the instrument panel center support bracket onto the floor panel transmission tunnel. When the ACM is correctly positioned the arrow on the ACM label will be pointed forward in the vehicle.
2. Install and tighten the four screws that secure the ACM mounting bracket to the floor panel transmission tunnel. Tighten the screws to 14 Nm (125 in lbs).
3. With the instrument panel center support bracket still folded down flat on the floor panel transmission tunnel, reconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector to the ACM connector receptacle. Be certain that the connector latch and the red CPA lock are fully engaged.
4. Fold the top of the instrument panel center support bracket up and forward over the studs on the lower instrument panel structural support.
5. Install and tighten the nuts that secure the instrument panel center support bracket to the studs on the lower instrument panel structural support. Tighten the nuts to 14 Nm (125 in lbs).
6. Engage the retainer on the instrument panel wire harness with the mounting hole in the left side of the instrument panel center support bracket.
7. Tighten the screws that secure each side of the instrument panel center support bracket to the ACM mounting bracket. Tighten the screws 14 Nm (125 in lbs).
8. If the vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, install the center console onto the floor panel transmission tunnel.
9. If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, position the trim cover over the ACM on the floor panel transmission tunnel.
10. If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, install and tighten the two screws that secure the trim cover to the ACM mounting bracket on the floor panel transmission tunnel. Tighten the screws to 2.2 Nm (20 in lbs).
11. Do not reconnect the battery negative cable at this time. Refer to Airbag System in the Diagnosis and Testing for the proper procedures.
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