Air Bag, Knee Blocker: Installation: 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 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 passenger airbag, or from becoming entrapped between the airbag cushion and the deployment door. Failure to observe this warning could result in occupant injuries upon airbag deployment.
To avoid serious or fatal injury, the knee blocker airbag (also known as the Knee AirBag/KAB or Inflatable Knee Blocker/IKB) deployment door must never be painted. Replacement deployment doors are serviced in the original colors. Paint may change the way in which the material of the deployment door responds to an airbag deployment. 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 STANDARD PROCEDURE . 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 STANDARD PROCEDURE .
- Position the KAB and trim cover unit to the opening in the instrument panel.
- Connect the connector insulator of the instrument panel wire harness take out to the KAB 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 housing through the opening in the steering column opening cover far enough to engage the two outboard studs on the KAB housing through the holes in the instrument panel carrier.
- Using hand pressure, press on the KAB trim cover (2) over each of the integral latch features on the back of the upper and lower edges of the cover until it engages behind the instrument panel.
- Reach up under and behind the KAB housing and instrument panel support structure to install and tighten the two nuts that secure the outer studs of the KAB housing to the instrument panel. Tighten the nuts to 10.5 N.m (93 in. lbs.). It was not necessary to remove the smaller nuts from the center studs. These nuts secure the KAB cushion retainer and inflator within the KAB housing. They are smaller flanged nuts than those on the outer studs allowing them to pass through the center holes of the instrument panel carrier without interference. If they were removed inadvertently, install them and tighten the nuts securely.
- Install the left lower instrument panel close out panel.
- Install the steering column close out trim ring (1).
- 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 STANDARD PROCEDURE .