Operation - Chrysler 300M 2002 Service Manual

8O - 14 RESTRAINTS
PASSENGER AIRBAG (Continued)
Following a passenger airbag deployment, the pas-
senger side airbag, instrument panel, and instrument
panel wiring harness must be replaced. The passen-
ger side airbag cannot be repaired, and must be
replaced if deployed or in any way damaged.

OPERATION

The passenger inflator assembly is within the air-
bag housing. The inflator seals the hole in the airbag
cushion so it can discharge the gas it produces
directly into the cushion when supplied with the
proper electrical signal. Following an airbag deploy-
ment, the airbag cushion quickly deflates by venting
this gas through the discrete vent holes used on each
end panel of the airbag cushion.
The passenger airbag is secured with screws to the
instrument panel beneath the instrument panel top
pad and above the glove box opening. The instrument
panel top pad above the glove box opening conceals
the airbag door and a predetermined hinge line
beneath its decorative cover. Upon airbag deploy-
ment, the top pad will bend at the hinge line and the
door will fold back out of the way onto the top of the
instrument panel.
REMOVAL
NON DEPLOYED AIRBAG
Use this procedure when removing an airbag for
any reason OTHER THAN DEPLOYMENT.
The instrument panel must be PARTIALLY
removed for Passenger Airbag service. Refer to Body,
Instrument Panel for graphics of complete instru-
ment panel.
(1) Open hood and disconnect the negative battery
cable remote terminal from the remote battery post.
(2) Remove the four screws that attach the glove
box door to the instrument panel and remove the
glove box door.
(3) Remove right instrument panel endcap.
(4) If equipped with center console:
• Remove the gearshift handle set screw and then
remove the gear shift handle.
• Remove the console shifter bezel.
• Remove the right console side trim panel.
(5) Accessing through the glove box door, remove
five screws to the glove box close - out assembly (20
in. lbs. torque) (Fig. 13).
(6) Remove the left and right A-pillar trim mold-
ings.
(7) Remove the left instrument panel endcap.
(8) Remove the left lower instrument panel trim
cover. Disconnect the hood release cable and decklid
release electrical connector. Remove and set panel
aside.
(9) Remove the left knee blocker.
Fig. 13 GLOVE BOX CLOSE - OUT TO
REINFORCEMENT
1 - GLOVE BOX CLOSE-OUT ATTACHING SCREWS
(10) Remove the instrument panel center bezel.
Disconnect the heater - A/C control unit and traction
control switch (if equipped) electrical connectors.
(11) If equipped with console, remove the left
instrument panel side cover.
(12) If not equipped with center console, remove
the center lower instrument panel floor bin.
(13) Remove the two center instrument panel
lower attaching nuts.
(14) Remove the left (driver's) side air distribution
ducts.
(15) Disconnect the brake switch electrical connec-
tor.
(16) Remove the bulkhead connector mounting
screw.
NOTE: It is not necessary to disconnect the bulk-
head connector.
(17) Disconnect the Occupant Restraint Controller
(ORC) electrical connector.
(18) Disconnect the two center instrument panel
ground eyelets on the left side of the floor tunnel.
(19) Remove the four steering column nuts and
lower the steering column to the floor.
(20) Remove the three lower left instrument panel
mounting bolts.
(21) Remove the three upper left instrument panel
mounting bolts.
(22) Disconnect the instrument panel to body har-
ness electrical connector.
(23) Disconnect the radio antenna connector.
(24) Remove the three lower right instrument
panel mounting bolts.
(25) Remove the three upper right instrument
panel mounting bolts.
LH