Disassembly - Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual

DR
DRIVER AIRBAG (Continued)
Fig. 23 Driver Airbag Remove/Install
1 - DRIVER AIRBAG
2 - STEERING WHEEL
3 - SCREW (2)
Fig. 24 Driver Airbag Connections
1 - DRIVER AIRBAG
2 - HORN SWITCH PIGTAIL WIRE CONNECTOR
3 - CLOCKSPRING PIGTAIL WIRE CONNECTOR (2)
4 - STEERING WHEEL WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR
(5) The clockspring driver airbag pigtail wire con-
nectors are secured by integral latches to the airbag
inflator connector receptacles, which are located on
the back of the driver airbag housing. Depress the
latches on each side of the connector insulator and
pull the insulators straight out from the airbag infla-
tor to disconnect them from the connector recepta-
cles.
(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 - ELECTRI-
CAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING - REMOVAL).

DISASSEMBLY

The following procedures can be used to replace
the driver airbag trim cover and horn switch unit for
service. If the driver airbag is faulty or deployed, the
entire driver airbag, trim cover and horn switch must
be replaced as a unit.
WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH, ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS,
DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYS-
TEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, AIRBAG, SEAT BELT
TENSIONER, IMPACT SENSOR, OR INSTRUMENT
PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE.
DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGA-
TIVE (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 DIS-
ABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM.
FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS
COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOY-
MENT.
WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH, SERVICE OF THIS UNIT SHOULD BE PER-
FORMED ONLY BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER-TRAINED
AND AUTHORIZED DEALER SERVICE TECHNI-
CIANS. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAU-
TIONS OR TO
PROCEDURES COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL,
INCOMPLETE, OR IMPROPER AIRBAG DEPLOY-
MENT AND POSSIBLE OCCUPANT INJURIES.
WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH, USE EXTREME CARE TO PREVENT ANY
FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM ENTERING 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 8O - 25
ANY STEERING
FOLLOW THE PROPER