Removal And Installation: Removal
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.
To avoid serious or fatal injury when removing a deployed airbag, rubber gloves, eye protection, and a long-sleeved shirt should be worn. There may be deposits on the airbag unit and other interior surfaces. In large doses, these deposits may cause irritation to the skin and eyes.
The following procedure is for replacement of an ineffective or damaged Passenger AirBag (PAB). If the airbag is ineffective or damaged, but not deployed, review the recommended procedures for Handling Non-Deployed Supplemental Restraints. Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE . If the PAB has been deployed, review the recommended procedures for Service After A Supplemental Restraint Deployment before removing the airbag from the vehicle. Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE .
- Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
- Remove the PAB and instrument panel cover as a unit from the instrument panel carrier. Refer to COVER, INSTRUMENT PANEL, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
- Place the instrument panel cover on a suitable work surface with the top facing down. If the cover will be reused, be certain to take the proper precautions to prevent the cover from receiving cosmetic damage during the following procedures.
- Disengage each of the hooks (2c) on the rear side of the PAB housing (1a) from the windows in the rearward vertical wall of the PAB retainer or chute (1b) on the underside of the top cover. To disengage the hooks, use a suitable prying tool to pull the upper edge of the receptacle wall outward far enough to disengage the hooks on the adjacent edge of the PAB housing.
- With all of the hooks on the rear side of the PAB housing disengaged from the retainer, rotate that side of the housing upward far enough to disengage the hooks (2b) on the forward side of the housing from the rearward vertical wall of the retainer (2a).
- With all of the hooks disengaged, lift the PAB housing (1a), inflator and cushion as a unit from the receptacle of the PAB retainer or chute on the underside of the instrument panel top cover.
