Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 234

Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. If a new clockspring (1) is being installed, transfer the multifunction switch jumper harness from the old 

clockspring or position a new jumper harness onto the new clockspring.  

2. Carefully slide the clockspring down over the steering column upper shaft far enough to reconnect the 

three instrument panel wire harness connectors (2) to the receptacles on the back of the clockspring case. 

Fig. 25: Identifying Screws, Steering Column Lock Housing, Right Multi-Function Switch, 
Clockspring & Left Multi-Function Switch 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

3. Position the clockspring (4) onto the steering column lock housing (2).  

4. Install and tighten the three screws (1) that secure the clockspring to the lock housing in the following 

sequence: lower right, upper left, upper right. Tighten the screws to 3 N.m (27 in. lbs.). 

5. Reinstall the left multi-function switch (5) onto the clockspring. Refer to INSTALLATION .  

6. Reinstall the right multi-function switch (3) onto the clockspring. Refer to INSTALLATION .  

7. Reinstall the upper and lower shrouds onto the steering column. Refer to INSTALLATION .  

8. Move the steering column back to the fully raised position and move the tilt release lever back to the 

locked (up) position.  

9. Reinstall the steering wheel onto the steering column. Refer to INSTALLATION .  

10. Remove the plastic locking pin that secures the clockspring rotor to the clockspring case to maintain 

clockspring centering.  

11. Reconnect the battery negative cable.  

CURTAIN AIRBAG 

NOTE:

Use of an improper sequence when tightening the clockspring mounting 
screws may result in an audible ticking noise as the steering wheel is 
rotated.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

  

DESCRIPTION 

SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG 

Fig. 26: SRS Emblem 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

Side curtain airbags are standard equipment for this vehicle when it is also equipped with dual front airbags. 
These airbags are passive, inflatable, Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) components, and vehicles with this 
equipment can be readily identified by a molded identification trim plug with the SRS - AIRBAG logo located 
near the tops of the B and C-pillar trim. This system is designed to reduce injuries to the vehicle occupants in 
the event of a side impact collision or a vehicle rollover incident. 

Fig. 27: Identifying Long Tether, Individually Controlled Curtain Airbag Units & Hybrid-Type Inflator
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

  

Each vehicle has two individually controlled curtain airbag units (2). These airbag units are concealed and 
mounted above the headliner where they are each secured to one of the roof side rails by two plastic push-in 
fasteners and to five studs on the inner roof side rail by five nuts. Each folded airbag cushion is contained 
within a fabric wrap and has molded plastic ramps that extend along the roof rail from the A-pillar at the front 
of the vehicle to just behind the C-pillar at the rear of the vehicle. 

A long tether (1) extends down the A-pillar from the front of the airbag cushion. The tether is secured to 
mounting holes in the inner A-pillar sheet metal with plastic push-in routing clips and is secured to the base of 
the A-pillar near the belt line with a metal key engaged into a slot in the A-pillar. A plastic push-in fastener fills 
the A-pillar slot after the metal key is installed to prevent the key from becoming disengaged. 

The hybrid-type inflator (3) for each airbag is secured to the roof rail at the rear of the airbag unit between the 
C-pillar and the D-pillar, and is connected to the airbag cushion by a long tubular manifold. The bracket holding 
the inflator is secured by nuts to two studs on the inner roof side rail. 

One end of a two-wire jumper harness connects to the initiator at the forward end of the curtain airbag inflator. 
The other end is routed down the D-pillar with plastic push-in routing clips and connects to the body wire 
harness near the belt line, which connects the airbag unit to the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). 

The side curtain airbag unit cannot be adjusted or repaired and must be replaced if deployed, ineffective, or in 
any way damaged. Once a side curtain airbag has been deployed, the complete airbag unit, the headliner, the 
upper A, B, C and D-pillar trim, and all other visibly damaged components must be replaced. 

OPERATION 

SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG 

Each side curtain airbag is deployed individually by an electrical signal generated by the Occupant Restraint 
Controller (ORC) to which it is connected through left or right curtain airbag line 1 and line 2 (or squib) 
circuits. The hybrid-type inflator assembly for each airbag contains a small canister of highly compressed inert 
gas. When the ORC sends the proper electrical signal to the airbag inflator, the electrical energy creates enough 
heat to ignite chemical pellets within the inflator. 

Once ignited, these chemicals burn rapidly and produce the pressure necessary to rupture a containment disk in 
the inert gas canister. The inflator and inert gas canister are sealed and connected to a tubular manifold so that 
all of the released gas is directed into the folded curtain airbag cushion, causing the cushion to inflate. As the 
airbag cushion inflates it will drop down from the roof rail between the edge of the headliner and the side 
glass/body pillars to form a curtain-like cushion to protect the vehicle occupants during a side impact collision 
or a vehicle rollover incident. 

The front tether keeps the front portion of the bag taut to the side of the vehicle, thus ensuring that the bag will 
deploy in the proper position. Following the airbag deployment, the airbag cushion slowly deflates by venting 
the inert gas through the loose weave of the cushion fabric, and the deflated cushion hangs down loosely from 
the roof rail. 

Proper diagnosis of the side curtain airbag inflator and squib circuits requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. 
Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

  

REMOVAL 

SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG 

WARNING:

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 take the proper precautions could result in 
accidental airbag deployment.

WARNING:

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.

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury, use extreme care to prevent any foreign 
material from entering the side curtain airbag, or becoming entrapped 
between the side curtain airbag cushion and the headliner. Failure to 
observe this warning could result in occupant injuries upon airbag 
deployment.

NOTE:

The following procedure is for replacement of an ineffective or damaged side 
curtain airbag. If the airbag is ineffective or damaged, but not deployed, review 
the recommended procedures for handling non-deployed supplemental 
restraints. See HANDLING NON-DEPLOYED SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINTS. If 
the side curtain airbag has been deployed, review the recommended 
procedures for service after a supplemental restraint deployment before 
removing the airbag from the vehicle. 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro