Jeep Grand Cherokee WK. Manual - part 656

4. Install and tighten the two screws that secure the inflator mounting bracket to the U-nuts in the inner roof side

rail. Tighten the screws to 6 N·m (50 in. lbs.).

NOTE: Be certain that the airbag cushion is not twisted during installation. If a red stripe on the cushion is
visible, the bag is twisted and must be untwisted before it is secured to the roof side rail.

5. Engage the two plastic push-in fasteners that secure the airbag cushion channel to the roof side rail at the top

of the C-pillar.

6. Engage the two plastic push-in fasteners that secure the channel to the roof side rail at the top of the B-pillar.

7. Install and tighten the six screws that secure the airbag channel to the J-nuts in the inner roof side rail. Tighten

the screws to 6 N·m (50 in. lbs.).

8. Engage the hook on the end of the side curtain airbag front tether into the slot in the inner A-pillar.

9. Engage the two plastic retainers that secure the side curtain airbag front tether to the inner A-pillar.

10. Reconnect the body wire harness connector (2)

for the side curtain airbag to the connector recep-
tacle at the back of the inflator (1) on the roof side
rail (3).

11. Reinstall the headliner into the vehicle. (Refer to

23 - BODY/INTERIOR/HEADLINER - INSTALLA-
TION).

12. Do not reconnect the battery negative cable at

this time. The supplemental restraint system veri-
fication test procedure should be performed fol-
lowing

service

any

supplemental

restraint

system component. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
RESTRAINTS

STANDARD

PROCEDURE

VERIFICATION TEST).

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RESTRAINTS - SERVICE INFORMATION

DRIVER AIRBAG

DESCRIPTION

The injection molded, thermoplastic driver airbag pro-
tective trim cover (2) is the most visible part of the
driver airbag. The driver airbag is located in the center
of the steering wheel (1), where it is secured with two
screws to the two horizontal spokes of the four-spoke
steering wheel armature. A stamped, satin polished
emblem with the Jeep

logo is applied to the center of

the trim cover. Concealed beneath the driver airbag
trim cover are the horn switch, the folded airbag cush-
ion, the airbag cushion retainer, the airbag housing,
the airbag inflator, and the retainers that secure the
inflator to the airbag housing.

The airbag cushion (1), housing (5), and inflator (4)
are secured within an integral receptacle molded into
the back of the trim cover. The four vertical walls of
this receptacle have numerous small windows with
blocking tabs that are engaged by numerous hook for-
mations around the perimeter of the airbag housing.
Each hook is inserted through one of the windows and
the blocking tab in each window keeps the hook prop-
erly engaged with the trim cover, locking the trim
cover securely into place on the airbag housing.

The resistive membrane-type horn switch is secured
within a plastic tray that is inserted in a pocket or
pouch sewn onto the airbag cushion retainer strap,
between the trim cover and the folded airbag cushion.
The horn switch ground and feed pigtail wires have a
molded plastic connector insulator (3) that is secured
by an integral retainer in a locator hole near the upper
left corner of the airbag housing and is connected to
the vehicle electrical system through a dedicated take
out and connector of the steering wheel wire harness.

The airbag used in this model is a multistage-type that complies with revised federal airbag standards to deploy with
less force than those used in some prior models. A radial deploying fabric airbag cushion with internal tethers is
used. The airbag inflator is a dual-initiator, non-azide, pyrotechnic-type unit with four mounting studs and is secured
to the stamped metal airbag housing using four flanged hex nuts. Two keyed and color-coded connector receptacles
on the driver airbag inflator connect the two inflator initiators to the vehicle electrical system through two yellow-
jacketed, two-wire pigtail harnesses of the clockspring.

The driver airbag cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed or in any way damaged. The driver airbag
trim cover and the horn switch may be disassembled from the driver airbag unit, and are available for individual
service replacement.

RESTRAINTS - SERVICE INFORMATION

8O - 447

OPERATION

The multistage driver airbag is deployed by electrical signals generated by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
through the driver airbag squib 1 and squib 2 circuits to the two initiators in the airbag inflator. By using two initi-
ators, the airbag can be deployed at multiple levels of force. The force level is controlled by the ORC to suit the
monitored impact conditions by providing one of four delay intervals between the electrical signals provided to the
two initiators. The longer the delay between these signals, the less forcefully the airbag will deploy.

When the ORC sends the proper electrical signals to each initiator, the electrical energy generates enough heat to
initiate a small pyrotechnic charge which, in turn ignites chemical pellets within the inflator. Once ignited, these
chemical pellets burn rapidly and produce a large quantity of inert gas. The inflator is sealed to the back of the
airbag housing and a diffuser in the inflator directs all of the inert gas into the airbag cushion, causing the cushion
to inflate. As the cushion inflates, the driver airbag trim cover will split at predetermined breakout lines, then fold
back out of the way along with the horn switch and tray unit. Following an airbag deployment, the airbag cushion
quickly deflates by venting the inert gas towards the instrument panel through vent holes within the fabric used to
construct the back (steering wheel side) panel of the airbag cushion.

Some of the chemicals used to create the inert gas may be considered hazardous while in their solid state before
they are burned, but they are securely sealed within the airbag inflator. Typically, both initiators are used and all
potentially hazardous chemicals are burned during an airbag deployment event. However, it is possible for only one
initiator to be used during a deployment due to an airbag system fault; therefore, it is necessary to always confirm
that both initiators have been used in order to avoid the improper disposal of potentially live pyrotechnic or hazard-
ous materials. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - SERVICE AFTER A SUP-
PLEMENTAL RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT).

The inert gas that is produced when the chemicals are burned is harmless. However, a small amount of residue
from the burned chemicals may cause some temporary discomfort if it contacts the skin, eyes, or breathing pas-
sages. If skin or eye irritation is noted, rinse the affected area with plenty of cool, clean water. If breathing passages
are irritated, move to another area where there is plenty of clean, fresh air to breath. If the irritation is not alleviated
by these actions, contact a physician.

REMOVAL

WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supplemental
restraint system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, occupant classification sys-
tem, 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 supplemental
restraint system. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.

WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, when removing a deployed airbag, rubber gloves, eye protec-
tion, and a long-sleeved shirt should be worn. There may be deposits on the airbag cushion and other inte-
rior surfaces. In large doses, these deposits may cause irritation to the skin and eyes.

NOTE: The following procedure is for replacement of a faulty or damaged driver airbag. If the airbag is
faulty or damaged, but not deployed, review the recommended procedures for handling non-deployed sup-
plemental restraints. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - HANDLING NON-
DEPLOYED

SUPPLEMENTAL

RESTRAINTS).

the

driver

airbag

has

been

deployed,

review

the

recommended procedures for service after a supplemental restraint deployment before removing the airbag
from the vehicle. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - SERVICE AFTER A
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT).

8O - 448

RESTRAINTS - SERVICE INFORMATION

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to dis-
charge before further service.

NOTE: It will be necessary to rotate the steering
wheel to orient each of the two spokes to which
the airbag is secured alternately toward the bot-
tom of the steering column in order to access the
fasteners.

2. From the underside of the steering wheel, remove

the two screws (4) that secure the driver airbag (1)
to the steering wheel armature (3).

CAUTION: Do not pull on the horn switch pigtail
wires to disengage the connector from the driver
airbag housing or to disconnect the horn switch to
driver airbag jumper harness connection. Improper
pulling on this pigtail wire or connection can
result in damage to the horn switch membrane or
the feed and ground circuits.

3. Pull the driver airbag away from the steering wheel far enough to access the electrical connections at the back

of the airbag housing.

4. Disconnect the driver airbag jumper harness connector (2) for the horn switch and the cruise control switches on

the back of the driver airbag trim cover from the clockspring.

CAUTION: Do not pull on the clockspring pigtail wires or pry on the connector insulator to disengage the
connector from the driver airbag inflator connector receptacle. Improper removal of these pigtail wires and
their connector insulators can result in damage to the airbag circuits or connector insulators.

5. The clockspring driver airbag pigtail wire connectors are secured by an integral lock to the airbag inflator con-

nector receptacles (5), which are located on the back of the driver airbag housing. Firmly grasp and pull the lock
straight out from the connector insulator, then pull the insulators straight out from the airbag inflator to disconnect
them from the connector receptacles.

6. Remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel.

7. If the driver airbag has been deployed, the clockspring must be replaced. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RE-

STRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING - REMOVAL).

DISASSEMBLY

WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, service of this unit should be performed only by Daimler-
Chrysler-trained and authorized dealer service technicians. Failure to take the proper precautions or to fol-
low the proper procedures could result in accidental, incomplete, or improper airbag deployment and
possible occupant injuries.

WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, use extreme care to prevent any foreign material from enter-
ing the driver airbag, or becoming entrapped between the driver airbag cushion and the driver airbag trim
cover. Failure to observe this warning could result in occupant injuries upon airbag deployment.

RESTRAINTS - SERVICE INFORMATION

8O - 449

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