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Steering Wheel: 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 side air bag module with the air bag and tear seam 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 side air bag module down on the cover tear seam. 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 afterward.
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: Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for correct 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. Install and correctly position a new 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 installing a new front or side supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before repairing, installing new, 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).
WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system repair only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
NOTE: Restraint system diagnostic tools must be installed under the seats in the side air bag to floor connector.
NOTE: Diagnostics or repairs are not to be carried out on a side air bag system or a safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) with the seat in the vehicle. Prior to attempting to diagnose/repair the side air bag system or a safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) the seat must be removed from the vehicle and the restraint system diagnostic tool must be installed in side air bag connector at the floor connector. The restraint system diagnostic tool must be removed prior to operating the vehicle.
NOTE: After diagnosing/repairing a seat system the restraint system diagnostic tool must be removed before operating the vehicle.
NOTE: A repair is made by installing new components only. If a new part is installed and the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and carry out the diagnostic procedure again.
NOTE: If a side air bag deployment took place new seatback pad, trim cover, and side air bag module must be installed. A new seatback frame should be installed if necessary.

ALL VEHICLES 

  1. Install the steering wheel.
    1. Connect the electrical connector.
    2. Position the steering wheel onto the steering column shaft.
      Fig 1: Installing Steering Wheel
      G01388111Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  2. Tighten the pinion shaft.
    Fig 2: Tightening Pinion Shaft
    G01388112Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  3. Connect the special tool to the instrument panel harness side of the driver air bag module electrical connector.
    Fig 3: Connecting Special Tool To Instrument Panel Harness Side Of Driver Air Bag Module Electrical Connector
    G01388113Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    VEHICLES WITH SIDE AIR BAG 

    4. WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system repair only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to follow these instructions could result in personal injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
    Fig 4: Removing Special Tool From Driver Seat Side Air Bag Module Body Harness Electrical Connector
    G01388114Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  4. Remove the special tool from the driver seat side air bag module body harness electrical connector.
  5. Connect the driver side air bag module electrical connector.
    Fig 5: Connecting Driver Side Air Bag Module Electrical Connector
    G01388115Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    ALL VEHICLES 

    6. WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system repair only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to follow these instructions could result in personal injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
    Fig 6: Removing Special Tool From Driver Side Safety Belt Pretensioner Body Harness Electrical Connector
    G01388116Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  6. Remove the special tool from the driver side safety belt pretensioner body harness electrical connector.
  7. Connect the driver side safety belt pretensioner electrical connector.
    Fig 7: Connecting Driver Side Safety Belt Pretensioner Electrical Connector
    G01388117Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  8. Connect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
  9. With the remaining special tools still in place, prove out the air bag system. For additional information, refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .
  10. Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .

    VEHICLES WITH SIDE AIR BAG 

    11. WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system repair only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to follow these instructions could result in personal injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
    Fig 8: Removing Special Tool From Passenger Seat Side Air Bag Module Body Harness Electrical Connector
    G01388118Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  11. Remove the special tool from the passenger seat side air bag module body harness electrical connector.
  12. Connect the passenger side air bag module electrical connector.
    Fig 9: Connecting Passenger Side Air Bag Module Electrical Connector
    G01388119Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    ALL VEHICLES 

    13. WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system repair only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to follow these instructions could result in personal injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
    Fig 10: Removing Special Tool From Passenger Side Safety Belt Pretensioner Body Harness Electrical Connector
    G01388120Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  13. Remove the special tool from the passenger side safety belt pretensioner body harness electrical connector.
  14. Connect the passenger side safety belt pretensioner electrical connector.
    15. WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system repair only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to follow these instructions could result in personal injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
    Fig 11: Removing Special Tool From Instrument Panel Harness Side Of Passenger Air Bag Module Electrical Connector
    G01388121Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  15. Remove the special tool from the instrument panel harness side of the passenger air bag module electrical connector.
  16. Connect the passenger air bag module electrical connector.
    Fig 12: Connecting Passenger Air Bag Module Electrical Connector
    G01388122Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  17. Raise the glove compartment.
    • Depress the locking tabs.
    18. WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system repair only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to follow these instructions could result in personal injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
    Fig 13: Removing Special Tool From Instrument Panel Harness Side Of Driver Air Bag Module Electrical Connector
    G01388123Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  18. Remove the special tool from the instrument panel harness side of the driver air bag module electrical connector.
  19. Connect the driver air bag module electrical connector.
    Fig 14: Connecting Driver Air Bag Module Electrical Connector
    G01388124Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  20. Close the steering wheel air bag connector access cover.
    Fig 15: Closing Steering Wheel Air Bag Connector Access Cover
    G01388125Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  21. Connect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
  22. Prove out the air bag system. For additional information, refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .
  23. Check the restraint system for correct operation.
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