Installation - Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual

DR
AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE (Continued)
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to
discharge before further service.
(2) On models with
remove the floor console from the top of the floor
panel transmission tunnel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/IN-
TERIOR/FLOOR CONSOLE - REMOVAL).
(3) On models with an automatic transmission,
remove the ACM cover from the instrument panel.
(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/ACM
COVER - REMOVAL).
(4) Reach through the rearward facing opening
below the instrument panel center stack support
bracket on the top of the floor panel transmission
tunnel to access and disconnect the two instrument
panel wire harness connectors for the Airbag Control
Module (ACM) from the ACM connector receptacles
located on the rearward facing side of the module
(Fig. 8). To disconnect the wire harness connectors
from the ACM, depress the release tab and lift the
lever arm on each connector.
Fig. 8 Airbag Control Module Remove/Install
1 - AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE
2 - SCREW (3)
3 - BODY WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR
4 - INSTRUMENT PANEL WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR
5 - FLOOR PANEL TRANSMISSION TUNNEL
(5) From the left side of the floor panel transmis-
sion tunnel, reach behind the module to access and
loosen the screw that secures the right side of the
ACM to the bracket on the floor panel transmission
tunnel. Loosen the screw about 7 millimeters (0.25
inch).
(6) From the left side of the floor panel transmis-
sion tunnel, remove the two screws that secure the
left side of the ACM to the bracket on the floor panel
transmission tunnel.
(7) Still working from the left side of the floor
panel transmission tunnel, lift the ACM upward far
enough to disengage the locating pin on the bottom of
a manual transmission,
the ACM mounting flange from the locating hole in
the mounting bracket, then slide the ACM toward
the left far enough to disengage the slotted hole in
the right ACM mounting flange from under the head
of the previously loosened right mounting screw.
(8) Remove the ACM from the left side of the floor
panel transmission tunnel.

INSTALLATION

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, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, IMPACT
SENSOR, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE 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.
PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH,
NEVER STRIKE OR DROP THE AIRBAG CONTROL
MODULE, AS IT CAN DAMAGE THE IMPACT SENSOR
OR AFFECT ITS CALIBRATION. THE AIRBAG CON-
TROL MODULE CONTAINS THE IMPACT SENSOR,
WHICH ENABLES THE SYSTEM TO DEPLOY THE
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINTS. IF AN AIRBAG CON-
TROL MODULE IS ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED DUR-
ING SERVICE, THE MODULE MUST BE SCRAPPED
AND REPLACED WITH A NEW UNIT. FAILURE TO
OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL, INCOMPLETE, OR IMPROPER SUPPLEMEN-
TAL RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT.
(1) Position the Airbag Control Module (ACM) to
the left side of the floor panel transmission tunnel
near the ACM bracket (Fig. 8). When the ACM is cor-
rectly positioned, the arrow on the ACM label will be
pointed forward in the vehicle.
(2) From the left side of the floor panel transmis-
sion tunnel, slide the ACM toward the right far
enough to engage the slotted hole in the right ACM
mounting flange under the head of the previously
loosened right mounting screw, then engage the
locating pin on the bottom of the left ACM mounting
flange into the locating hole in the bracket.
(3) Still working from the left side of the floor
panel transmission tunnel, install and tighten the
two screws that secure the left ACM mounting
flanges to the bracket that is welded onto the floor
RESTRAINTS 8O - 13
FAILURE TO TAKE THE