Chrysler PT Cruiser 2001 Service Manual Supplement page 1173

19 - 42 STEERING
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)
• Turn the ignition key to the ON position. Exit
the vehicle with the scan tool leaving the scan tool
harness plugged in.
• Ensuring that there are no occupants in the
vehicle, connect the ground (-) cable to the negative
post of the battery.
• Using the scan tool, read and record any fault
codes. Refer to the Driver And Passenger Airbag Sys-
tem diagnostic information if any faults are found.
• Erase any stored faults if there are no active
fault codes. If a problem exists, the fault code will
not erase.
• Reach around behind the steering wheel (just in
front of the instrument cluster) and turn the ignition
key to OFF, then back ON while observing the
instrument cluster airbag lamp. It should go on for
six to eight seconds, then go out. This will indicate
that the airbag system is functioning normally. If air-
bag warning lamp fails to light, blinks on and off, or
goes on and stays on, there is an airbag system mal-
function. Refer to the Body Diagnostic Procedures to
diagnose the system malfunction.
(24) Turn the key to OFF and remove the scan tool
from the vehicle.
(25) Test the operation of the horn, wipers and any
other functions that are steering column operated. If
applicable, reset the radio and the clock.
(26) If the steering column is a tilt column, verify
the tilt mechanism operates properly.
(27) Road test the vehicle to ensure proper opera-
tion of the steering system and the speed control sys-
tem.
STEERING COLUMN LOWER COUPLING
NOTE: Before proceeding with this removal and
installation procedure, review SERVICE WARNINGS
AND CAUTIONS at the beginning of REMOVAL AND
INSTALLATION in this section.
REMOVAL
(1) Place the steering wheel in the STRAIGHT-
AHEAD position. Using a steering wheel holder, lock
the steering wheel in place to keep it from rotating
(Fig. 19). This keeps the clockspring in the proper
orientation.
(2) Remove the silencer pad below the knee
blocker panel below the steering column.
(3) Fold down and remove the knee blocker.
(4) Remove the steering column coupling retainer
pin, back off the pinch bolt nut, and remove the
steering column coupling pinch bolt (Fig. 20)(the
pinch bolt nut is caged to the coupling and is not
removable). Separate the upper and lower steering
column couplings.
Fig. 19 Steering Wheel Holder
Fig. 20 Steering Column Couplings
1 – RETAINING PIN
2 – PINCH BOLT
3 – NUT
(5) Raise the vehicle. Refer to HOISTING in the
LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE section.
(6) Release the locking tab on the wiring harness
connector for the power steering fluid pressure
switch, then remove the wiring harness connector
from the power steering fluid pressure switch (Fig.
21).
(7) Remove the right front tire and wheel assem-
bly.
(8) Remove the pencil strut from the right front
corner of the crossmember and body of the vehicle.
(Fig. 22). Remove the washer behind the strut from
the torque strut bolt.
(9) Remove the screws fastening the front fascia to
the reinforcement as necessary in order to access the
drive-belt splash shield forward fastener screw (Fig.
23).
PT