Air Bag, Knee Blocker: Installation: Driver
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, Occupant Classification System (OCS), 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 follow these instructions may 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.
To avoid serious or fatal injury, use extreme care to prevent any foreign material from entering the Knee AirBag (KAB), or becoming entrapped between the KAB cushion and the KAB trim 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 (2) below the steering column opening of the instrument panel in a vertical orientation with the KAB inflator initiator connector receptacle 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. Be certain that the connector is fully engaged in its receptacle, then push the Connector Position Assurance (CPA) lock straight into the connector to lock it into place.
- Carefully position the KAB to the lower reinforcement (3) of the instrument panel structural support. Be certain the instrument panel wire harness take out for the KAB is routed behind the KAB and is not pinched between the KAB housing and the lower reinforcement of the instrument panel structural support.
- Install the nuts (1) that secure the KAB to the lower reinforcement of the instrument panel structural support. Tighten the nuts to the proper torque specification. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Install the steering column opening cover to the instrument panel. Refer to COVER, STEERING COLUMN OPENING, INSTALLATION .
- 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 .