Lotus 2004 Eleven Service Notes page 486

Lotus Service Notes
the yellow harness connector.
WARNING: When carrying a live airbag module, make sure the bag and trim cover are pointed away
from you. In case of an accidental deployment, the bag will then deploy with minimal chance of injury.
When placing a live airbag module on a bench or other surface, always face the bag and trim cover
upwards, away from the surface. This is necessary so that a free space is provided to allow the airbag
to expand in the unlikely event of accidental deployment.
3. If a driver's airbag is deployed, refer to steering section HG to determine whether the steering column
telescoping mechanism has been activated, and if necessary, renew the column assembly.
4. Mate the new airbag yellow connector plug with the harness plug in the steering wheel hub, and locate the
module into the steering wheel. Fit the two socket head retaining screws and tighten to 7Nm.
5. When all service work is complete, connect the harness plug alongside the steering column, and recon-
nect the battery. Turn on the ignition and check that the airbag tell tale lights for a few seconds and then
goes out.
WD.10 - ROTARY CONNECTOR
WARNING: The rotary connector MUST be replaced after SRS deployment even if there is no visible
damage.
The rotary connector is a device which fits between the steering wheel and column, and allows the
steering wheel to turn whilst maintaining electrical continuity to the airbag module and horn buttons. The
assembly consists of an annular housing fitted over the top end of the steering column, and containing a coil of
four wires. The wires are:
- +ve feed to the inflator module (switched by the safing sensor);
- ground to the inflator module (switched by the microprocessor accelerometer);
- input to the horn buttons;
- output from the horn buttons.
The steering column side of the device is fitted with a 4 way connector block which plugs into the SRS
harness. The steering wheel side of the device has two 2-way connector plugs, one for the airbag module, and
one for the horn buttons. The coil housing is constructed in two parts, with the outer part fixed to the outer
(stationary column, and the inner part keyed to the inner (rotating) column.
The two parts of the coil housing slide inside of each other in such a way as to allow the steering wheel
to be rotated through its full travel, lock to lock, whilst maintaining an unbroken feed to each of the four circuits
in the steering wheel hub, via the continuous wires in the coils.
In order to help prevent unwanted deployment of the air bag when servicing the steering column or other
SIR components, a shorting bar is incorporated in the rotary connector side of the 4-way SRS harness con-
nector plug. This shorting bar operates when the connector is unplugged, to short across the feed and return
connections to the inflator module. Thus, if a positive feed, or earth is inadvertently applied to the connector
terminals, both sides of the inflator module will be subject to the same potential, and no deployment will occur.
When servicing the rotary connector, it is most important that the correct orientation of the connector is
maintained on refitment, or the connector will run out of travel and be broken.
To replace the rotary connector
1. Remove the airbag module from the steering wheel (see sub-section WD.8).
2. Disconnect the horn harness plug.
3. Bend back the locking tabs and release the nut securing the wheel to the column. Before attempting to
remove the wheel, ensure the front wheels are pointing straight ahead, and match mark the position of
the steering wheel hub against the column to aid re-assembly.
4. Using a suitable steering wheel puller tool, position the legs to reach through the holes in the wheel hub
Section WD
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