Diesel Data: Automotive Repair
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Deactivation and Reactivation




Special Tool(s):






Deactivation Procedure

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: To reduce the risk of personal injury, do not use any memory saver devices.

Note: The air bag warning lamp illuminates when the ECS fuse is removed and the ignition switch is ON. This is normal operation and does not indicate a supplemental restraint system (SRS) fault.

Note: The SRS must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.

1. Turn all vehicle accessories OFF.
2. Turn the ignition switch to OFF.
3. At the central junction box (CJB), located below the LH side of the instrument panel, remove the cover and the restraints control module (RCM) fuse F2.36 (15A) from the CJB. For additional information, refer to the Wiring Diagram Manual.
4. Turn the ignition ON and visually monitor the air bag indicator for at least 30 seconds. The air bag indicator will remain lit continuously (no flashing) if the correct RCM fuse has been removed. If the air bag indicator does not remain lit continuously, remove the correct RCM fuse before proceeding.
5. Turn the ignition OFF.

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 or RCM , such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.

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).

6. Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301) and wait at least one minute.






7. Remove the two steering wheel back cover plugs.






8. Remove the two driver air bag module retaining bolts (one shown).






9. Remove the driver air bag module.
1. Disconnect the driver air bag module electrical connector.
2. Remove the driver air bag module.






10. Attach the restraint system diagnostic tool to the clockspring electrical connector at the top of the steering column.






11. Open the glove compartment, push in on the two tabs and open the glove compartment door to its fullest downward position.
12. Remove the right hand A/C register duct.
- Remove the two screws retaining the duct to the A/C register.
- Separate the A/C duct at the air plenum and remove the duct.






13. Disconnect the passenger air bag module electrical connector.






14. Attach the restraint system diagnostic tool to the vehicle harness side of the passenger air bag module electrical connector.
15. Install the RCM fuse F2.36 (15A) to the CJB.
16. Connect the battery ground cable.

Reactivation Procedure

1. Remove the RCM fuse F2.36 (15A) from the CJB.
2. Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute.






3. Remove the restraint system diagnostic tool from the vehicle harness side of the passenger air bag module electrical connector.






4. Connect the passenger air bag module electrical connector.
5. Install the right hand A/C register duct.
- Connect the A/C duct at the air plenum.
- Install the duct at the A/C register and install the two screws.






6. Push in on the two tabs and close the glove compartment door.






7. Remove the restraint system diagnostic tool from the clockspring electrical connector at the top of the steering column.
8. Install the driver air bag module.
1. Connect the driver air bag module electrical connector.
- Position the driver air bag module to the steering wheel.






9. Install the two driver air bag module retaining bolts.






10. Install the steering wheel back cover plugs.

Warning: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system service only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.

11. Make sure all restraint system diagnostic tool(s) that may have been installed during the repair have been removed from the vehicle and all SRS components are connected.
12. Turn the ignition from OFF to ON.
13. Install the RCM fuse F2.36 (15A) to the CJB and install the cover.

Warning: Be sure that nobody is in the vehicle and that there is nothing blocking or set in front of any air bag module when the battery ground cable is connected.

14. Connect the battery ground cable.
15. Prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS) as follows: Turn the ignition key from ON to OFF. Wait 10 seconds, then turn the key back to ON and visually monitor the air bag indicator with the air bag modules installed. The air bag indicator will light continuously for approximately six seconds and then turn off. If an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) fault is present, the air bag indicator will either:
- fail to light
- remain lit continuously.
- flash.
The flashing might not occur until approximately 30 seconds after the ignition switch has been turned from the OFF to the ON position. This is the time required for the restraints control module (RCM) to complete the testing of the SRS. If the air bag indicator is inoperative and a SRS fault exists, a chime will sound in a pattern of five sets of five beeps. If this occurs, the air bag indicator and any SRS fault discovered must be diagnosed and repaired. Clear all continuous DTCs from the restraints control module using a scan tool.
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