Air Bag, Knee Blocker: Installation
To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbags, airbag curtains, knee blocker, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect the Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS)/negative battery cable assembly from the negative battery post, 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, use extreme care to prevent any foreign material from entering the Inflatable Knee Blocker (IKB) airbag, or becoming entrapped between the IKB airbag cushion and the IKB cover. Failure to observe this warning could result in occupant injuries upon airbag deployment.
The following procedure is for replacement of an ineffective or damaged KAB. If the airbag is ineffective or damaged, but not deployed, review the recommended procedures for Handling Non-Deployed Supplemental Restraints. Refer to HANDLING NON-DEPLOYED SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINTS . If the KAB has been deployed, review the recommended procedures for Service After A Supplemental Restraint Deployment before removing the airbag from the vehicle. Refer to SERVICE AFTER A SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DEPLOYMENT .
- Position the KAB (4) below the steering column opening of the instrument panel in a vertical orientation with the KAB inflator initiator connector receptacle (3) facing upward.
- Connect the connector insulator of the instrument panel wire harness take out for the KAB to the inflator initiator connector receptacle by pressing straight in on the connector. You can be certain that the connector is fully engaged in its receptacle by listening carefully for a distinct, audible click as the connector latches snap into place.
- Carefully position the KAB to the instrument panel lower reinforcement (1).
- Install and tighten the four nuts that secure the studs of the KAB to the instrument panel lower reinforcement. Tighten the nuts to the proper torque specifications. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Install the steering column opening cover onto the instrument panel. Refer to COVER, INSTRUMENT PANEL, INSTALLATION
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- Install the close out panels (2) under the driver side of the instrument panel lower reinforcement (3) and surrounding the KAB cover (1) and housing.
- Do not connect the negative battery cable at this time. The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Verification Test procedure should be performed following service of any SRS component. Refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM VERIFICATION TEST .