Jeep Grand Cherokee WK. Manual - part 655

1. Place the front wheels in the straight-ahead position.

2. Remove the Steering Control Module (SCM) (2) from the steering column. (Refer to 19 - STEERING/COLUMN/

STEERING CONTROL MODULE - REMOVAL).

3. Hold the SCM in one hand so that it is oriented as it would be when it is installed on the steering column.

4. Use your other hand to rotate the clockspring rotor (1) clockwise to the end of its travel. Do not apply excessive

torque.

5. From the end of the clockwise travel, rotate the rotor about two and one-half turns counterclockwise. The clock-

spring airbag pigtail wires and connector receptacles should be at the top and the holes for the clockspring lock-
ing pin (3) should be in alignment.

6. The clockspring is now centered. Secure the clockspring rotor to the SCM case to maintain clockspring centering

until the SCM is reinstalled on the steering column.

7. The front wheels should still be in the straight-ahead position. Reinstall the SCM onto the steering column. (Refer

to 19 - STEERING/COLUMN/STEERING CONTROL MODULE - INSTALLATION).

CURTAIN AIRBAG

DESCRIPTION

Optional side curtain airbags are available for this
model 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 button with the “SRS - AIR-
BAG” logo located on the headliner above each B-pil-
lar. This system is designed to reduce injuries to the
vehicle occupants in the event of a side impact
collision.

Vehicles equipped with side curtain airbags have two
individually controlled curtain airbag units. These air-
bag units are concealed and mounted above the
headliner where they are each secured to one of the
roof side rails. Each folded airbag cushion is con-
tained within a long extruded plastic channel that
extends 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 extends down the A-pillar
from the front of the airbag cushion. The end of the
tether is secured to a slot in the sheet metal with a
metal hook, while two additional plastic clips secure
the tether to the inside of the A-pillar.

The hybrid-type inflator 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 inflator bracket and the
extruded airbag cushion channel are secured with both plastic push-in fasteners and screws to the roof rail. The

8O - 442

RESTRAINTS - SERVICE INFORMATION

inflator is initially hung from the roof rail by hooks that are integral to the inflator bracket. The airbag inflator is
connected to the vehicle electrical system through a dedicated take out and connector of the body wire harness
near the top of the D-pillar.

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

OPERATION

Each side curtain airbag is deployed individually by an electrical signal generated by the Occupant Restraint Con-
troller (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.

The front tether keeps the side curtain 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 quickly 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.

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 unit and other interior
surfaces. In large doses, these deposits may cause irritation to the skin and eyes.

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

NOTE: The following procedure is for replacement of a faulty or damaged side curtain airbag. If the airbag
is faulty or damaged, but not deployed, review the recommended procedures for handling non-deployed
supplemental restraints. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - 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. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - SERVICE AFTER A
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT).

RESTRAINTS - SERVICE INFORMATION

8O - 443

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

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

2. Remove the headliner from the vehicle. (Refer to

23 - BODY/INTERIOR/HEADLINER - REMOVAL).

3. Disconnect the body wire harness connector (2) for

the side curtain airbag from the connector recepta-
cle at the back of the inflator (1) on the roof side
rail (3) near the D-pillar.

4. Disengage the two plastic retainers, then the hook that secure the side curtain airbag front tether to the inner

A-pillar.

5. Remove the six screws that secure the side curtain airbag channel to the J-nuts in the inner roof side rail.

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

7. Disengage the two plastic push-in fasteners that secure the channel to the roof side rail at the top of the C-pillar.

8. Remove the two screws that secure the inflator mounting bracket to the U-nuts in the inner roof side rail.

9. Disengage the integral hooks on the inflator mounting bracket from the locating holes in the roof side rail.

10. Remove the side curtain airbag from the vehicle as a unit.

8O - 444

RESTRAINTS - SERVICE INFORMATION

INSTALLATION

1. Check to be certain that the two U-nuts for the side curtain airbag inflator bracket and the six J-nuts for the

airbag channel are properly installed in the inner roof rail and that they are in good condition.

2. Position the side curtain airbag into the vehicle as a unit.

3. Engage the integral hooks on the side curtain airbag inflator mounting bracket into the locating holes in the inner

roof side rail near the D-pillar.

RESTRAINTS - SERVICE INFORMATION

8O - 445

Content .. 653 654 655 656 ..