Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 232

Fig. 19: Identifying Second Row Seat Back, Lower Anchors & Seat Cushion 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

The lower anchors (2) for this vehicle are integral to their respective second row seat brackets, which are 
secured to the rear floor panel at the front with studs and nuts, and at the rear with screws. These anchors are 
each constructed from a heavy-gauge steel wire loop that is securely welded to the seat bracket. The anchor 
loops are located where the second row seat back (1) meets the seat cushion (3). The child restraint lower tether 
anchors cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if ineffective or damaged, they must be replaced as a unit with their 
respective second row seat brackets. 

OPERATION 

CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHOR 

All vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States and Canada are required to be equipped with a Lower 
Anchors and Tether for Children, or LATCH child restraint anchorage system. The second row seats in this 
vehicle have two pairs of anchor provisions for installing a LATCH-compatible child seat. A single seat may be 
mounted in the center seating position, or one in each outboard seating position. 

With LATCH, child seats are secured by direct attachment to the vehicle seat structure, rather than by the seat 

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury during and following any seat belt or child 
restraint anchor service, carefully inspect all seat belts, buckles, 
mounting hardware, retractors, tether straps, and anchors for proper 
installation, operation, or damage. Replace any belt that is cut, frayed, or 
torn. Straighten any belt that is twisted. Tighten any loose fasteners. 
Replace any belt that has a damaged or ineffective buckle or retractor. 
Replace any belt that has a bent or damaged latch plate or anchor plate. 
Replace any child restraint anchor or the unit to which the anchor is 
integral that has been bent or damaged. Never attempt to repair a seat 
belt or child restraint component. Always replace damaged or ineffective 
seat belt and child restraint components with the correct, new and 
unused replacement parts .

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

  

belts. With LATCH-compatible child seats, lower anchors attach to the seat structure through heavy-gauge wire 
loops located at the intersection between the seat cushion and the seat back surfaces. 

Three upper tether anchors are integral to the second row seat back frames to secure the top tether strap of child 
seats equipped with this feature. These upper tether anchors work with both LATCH-compatible and other child 
seats equipped with a top tether strap. 

The owner's information packet in the vehicle glove box contains details and suggestions on the proper use of 
all of the factory-installed child restraint anchors. 

CLOCKSPRING 

DESCRIPTION 

CLOCKSPRING 

Fig. 20: Steering Control Module Components 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

The clockspring (3) for this vehicle is secured near the top of the steering column below the steering wheel. The 
clockspring also includes an integral, internal turn signal cancel cam and a Steering Angle Sensor (SAS) that are 
both serviced as a unit with the clockspring. The clockspring also supports the left (lighting) multi-function 
switch (1), the Steering Control Module (SCM) internal to the left multi-function switch housing (2), and the 
right (wiper) multi-function switch (6). Each of these switches and the jumper wire harness (5) between the two 
multi-function switches can be separated from and are serviced individually from the clockspring. 

The clockspring case includes integral tabs for mounting the unit with three screws to the steering column lock 
housing as well as integral provisions for mounting and supporting both multi-function switches. The multi-
function switches are each secured to the clockspring with a single screw (7). The SAS within the clockspring 
includes an electronic circuit board and a microprocessor, which allows it to communicate with other electronic 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

  

modules in the vehicle over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus. The SAS circuitry, the clockspring, 
and the turn signal cancel cam are all contained within a flat, molded plastic case. 

The clockspring case includes three connector receptacles that face toward the instrument panel. Within the 
plastic case is a spool-like molded plastic rotor with a large exposed hub. The upper surface of the rotor hub has 
a large center hole, two short pigtail wires with connectors, and a connector receptacle that faces toward the 
steering wheel. The lower surface of the rotor has an integral dowel or drive pin that also faces toward the 
steering wheel. Wound around the rotor spool within the case is a long ribbon-like tape that consists of several 
thin copper wire leads sandwiched between two thin plastic membranes. The outer end of the tape terminates at 
two of the connector receptacles that face the instrument panel, while the inner end of the tape terminates at the 
pigtail wires and connector receptacle on the hub of the clockspring rotor that face the steering wheel. The outer 
surface of the rotor hub rim within the clockspring case also has the integral lobes of the turn signal cancel cam.

The service replacement clockspring is shipped pre-centered and with a molded plastic locking pin (4) installed. 
The locking pin secures the centered clockspring rotor to the clockspring case during shipment and handling, 
but must be removed after the clockspring is installed on the steering column and the steering wheel is installed. 
See CLOCKSPRING CENTERING. 

The clockspring cannot be repaired. If the clockspring is ineffective, damaged, or if the driver airbag has been 
deployed, the clockspring/turn signal cancel cam/SAS unit must be replaced. 

OPERATION 

CLOCKSPRING 

The clockspring is a mechanical electrical circuit component that is used to provide continuous electrical 
continuity between the fixed instrument panel wire harness and certain electrical components mounted on or in 
the rotating steering wheel. On this vehicle the rotating electrical components include the driver airbag, the horn 
switch, the speed control switch, the remote radio switches and the Electronic Vehicle Information Center 
(EVIC) control switches, if the vehicle is so equipped. The clockspring is positioned and secured near the top of 
the steering column. The fixed connector receptacles on the back of the fixed clockspring case connect the 
clockspring to the vehicle electrical system through three take outs with connectors from the instrument panel 
wire harness. 

The turn signal cancel cam is integral to the rim of the clockspring rotor hub within the clockspring case so it 
also moves with the rotation of the steering wheel. Two short, black-sleeved pigtail wires on the upper surface 
of the clockspring rotor connect the clockspring to the driver airbag, while a steering wheel wire harness 
connected to the connector receptacle on the upper surface of the clockspring rotor complete circuits to the horn 
switch, the speed control switch and, if the vehicle is so equipped, to the optional remote radio switches and 
EVIC control switches on the steering wheel. The third connector receptacle is dedicated to the inputs and 
outputs of the Steering Angle Sensor (SAS) internal to the clockspring case. 

Like the clockspring in a timepiece, the clockspring tape has travel limits and can be damaged by being wound 
too tightly during full stop-to-stop steering wheel rotation. To prevent this from occurring, the clockspring is 
centered when it is installed on the steering column. Centering the clockspring indexes the clockspring tape to 
the movable steering components so that the tape can operate within its designed travel limits. However, if the 
steering wheel is removed from the steering column, if the clockspring is removed from the steering column, or 
if the steering shaft is disconnected from the steering gear, the clockspring spool can change position relative to 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

  

the other steering components. The clockspring must be re-centered following completion of this service or the 
tape may be damaged. 

Service replacement clocksprings are shipped pre-centered and with a plastic locking pin installed. This locking 
pin should not be removed until the steering wheel has been installed on the steering column. If the locking pin 
is removed before the steering wheel is installed on a steering column, the clockspring centering procedure must 
be performed. See CLOCKSPRING CENTERING. Proper clockspring installation may be confirmed by 
viewing the SAS data using a diagnostic scan tool. 

The hard wired clockspring circuits as well as the hard wired inputs and outputs of the SAS may be diagnosed 
using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. However, 
conventional diagnostic methods will not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the SAS or the electronic controls 
or communication between other modules and devices that provide features of the Electronic Stability Program 
(ESP) or Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). The most reliable, efficient, and accurate means to diagnose the 
SAS or the electronic controls and communication related to ESP or SRS operation requires the use of a 
diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information. 

STANDARD PROCEDURE 

CLOCKSPRING CENTERING 

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable 
the supplemental restraint system before attempting any steering wheel, 
steering column, airbag, occupant classification system, 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.

NOTE:

A service replacement clockspring is shipped with the clockspring pre-centered 
and with a molded plastic locking pin installed. This locking pin should not be 
removed until the steering wheel has been installed on the steering column. If 
the locking pin is removed before the steering wheel is installed, the 
clockspring centering procedure must be performed.

NOTE:

When a clockspring is installed into a vehicle without properly centering and 
locking the entire steering system, the Steering Angle Sensor (SAS) data does 
not agree with the true position of the steering system and causes the ESP 
system to shut down. This may also damage the clockspring without any 
immediate malfunction. Unlike some other DaimlerChrysler vehicles, this SAS 
never requires calibration. See CLOCKSPRING CENTERING.

NOTE:

Determining if the clockspring/SAS is centered is also possible electrically 
using the diagnostic scan tool. Steering wheel position is displayed as ANGLE 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro