Operation; Removal - Chrysler PT Cruiser Service & Repair Manual

8O - 14 RESTRAINTS
PASSENGER AIRBAG (Continued)
The passenger airbag is located behind the passen-
ger airbag cover, between the glove box and instru-
ment panel top cover (Fig. 19).
The passenger airbag includes a stamped steel
housing within which the cushion and inflator are
mounted and sealed. Two stamped metal brackets,
one on each end of the housing, enclose the cushion
and inflator. The mounting scheme consists of two
weld studs and a bracket with two tabs off the bot-
tom of the housing.
Following a passenger airbag deployment, the pas-
senger airbag and the passenger airbag cover must
be replaced. If inspection reveals that the passenger
airbag mounting points on the instrument panel
structural duct have been cracked or damaged, the
instrument panel assembly must also be replaced.
The passenger airbag cannot be repaired, and must
be replaced if deployed or in any way damaged.

OPERATION

The hybrid-type inflator assembly includes a small
canister of highly compressed argon gas. The inflator
seals the hole in the airbag cushion so it can dis-
charge the gas it produces directly into the cushion
when supplied with the proper electrical signal. Fol-
lowing an airbag deployment, the airbag cushion
quickly deflates by venting this gas through the
porous fabric material used on each end panel of the
airbag cushion.
The passenger airbag is secured with screws to the
instrument panel structural duct beneath the instru-
ment panel top pad and above the glove box opening.

REMOVAL

NON-DEPLOYED AIRBAG
(1) Open hood.
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(3) Wait two minutes for the system reserve capac-
itor to discharge before servicing any airbag compo-
nents.
(4) Remove instrument panel top cover (Refer to
23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/INSTRUMENT
PANEL TOP COVER - REMOVAL).
(5) Open glove box, push in on the box/bin sides
and lower to floor.
(6) Remove the right instrument panel end cap.
(7) Remove four passenger airbag cover screws
along the bottom end of the airbag cover.
(8) Remove two passenger airbag cover screws
along the top edge of the airbag cover.
(9) Remove two nuts retaining passenger airbag to
instrument panel assembly inside glove box opening
(Fig. 20).
Fig. 20 PASSENGER AIRBAG RETAINING NUTS
(10) Lift airbag up until the wire connector is vis-
ible and disconnect the wire connector from airbag.
Unlock the locking tab (Fig. 21) and release the con-
nector (Fig. 22).
Fig. 21 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR LOCK
1 - LOCKING TAB
(11) Remove passenger airbag from vehicle.
DEPLOYED AIRBAG
(1) Open hood.
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(3) Roll/fold airbag towards instrument panel.
PT