Chrysler PT Cruiser. Manual - part 750

NOTE: When reconnecting the battery on a vehicle
that has had the driver airbag removed, the follow-
ing procedure should be used.

(24) Reconnect the ground cable to the negative

post of the battery in the following manor:

(a) Connect a scan tool (DRBIII

t) to the data

link diagnostic connector located below the steering
column.

(b) Turn the ignition key to the ON position.

Exit the vehicle with the scan tool leaving the scan
tool harness plugged in.

vehicle, connect the ground (-) cable to the negative
post of the battery.

(d) Using the scan tool, read and record any

fault codes. Refer to the Appropriate Diagnostic
Information if any faults are found.

(e) Erase any stored faults if there are no active

fault codes. If a problem exists, the fault code will
not erase.

(f) 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 indicator lamp. It
should go on for six to eight seconds, then go out.
This will indicate that the airbag system is func-
tioning normally. If airbag indicator lamp fails to
light, blinks on and off, or goes on and stays on,
there is an airbag system malfunction. Refer to the
Appropriate Diagnostic Information to diagnose a
system malfunction.
(25) Turn the key to OFF and remove the scan tool

from the vehicle.

(26) Test the operation of the horn, wipers and any

other functions that are steering column operated. If
applicable, reset the radio and the clock.

(27) If the steering column is a tilt column, verify

the tilt mechanism operates properly.

(28) Road test the vehicle to ensure proper opera-

tion of the steering system and the speed control sys-
tem.

INSTALLATION - RHD

Right-Hand-Drive steering column is typical of

Left-Hand-Drive. (Refer to 19 - STEERING/COL-
UMN - INSTALLATION - LHD)

SPECIFICATIONS - STEERING COLUMN
FASTENER TORQUE

DESCRIPTION

N·m

Ft.

Lbs.

In.

Lbs.

Coupling Pinch Bolt

250

SKIM Mounting Screws

—

Speed Control Switch Screw

—

Steering Column Mounting
Nuts

—

150

Steering Wheel Retaining
Bolt

—

IGNITION SWITCH

REMOVAL

The ignition switch attaches to the lock cylinder

housing on the end opposite the lock cylinder (Fig.
19). For ignition switch terminal and circuit identifi-
cation, refer to the Wiring Diagrams sections.

(1) Remove the air cleaner lid, disconnect the inlet

air temperature sensor and makeup air hose.

(2) Disconnect negative cable from battery.

Fig. 19 Ignition Switch—Viewed From Below

Column

1 - IGNITION SWITCH
2 - LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING
3 - RETAINING TABS

19 - 18

COLUMN

COLUMN (Continued)

(3) Place key cylinder in RUN position. Through

the hole in the lower shroud, depress lock cylinder
retaining tab and remove key cylinder (Fig. 20).

(4) Remove upper and lower shrouds from steering

column.

(5) Disconnect electrical connectors from ignition

switch (Fig. 21).

(6) Remove the 2 screws on the top of the multi-

function switch and relocate (Fig. 22).

(7) Remove ignition switch mounting screw (Fig.

23) with a #10 Torx

t bit.

(8) Pull ignition switch from steering column (Fig.

24).

INSTALLATION

(1) Ensure the ignition switch is in the RUN posi-

tion and the actuator shaft in the lock housing is in
the RUN position.

(2) Carefully

install

the

ignition

switch.

The

switch will snap over the retaining tabs (Fig. 25).
Install mounting screw (Fig. 23).

(3) Install electrical connectors to ignition switch.
(4) Install the multi-function switch and tighten

the 2 screws (Fig. 22).

(5) Install upper and lower shrouds.
(6) Install key cylinder (cylinder retaining tab will

depress only in the RUN position).

(7) Connect negative cable to battery.
(8) Install the air cleaner lid, connect the inlet air

temperature sensor and makeup air hose.

Fig. 20 Steering Column Shrouds

1 - SCREW ACCESS HOLE
2 - TAB ACCESS HOLE
3 - LOWER SHROUD

Fig. 21 Ignition Switch

1 - IGNITION SWITCH

Fig. 22 Multi-Function Switch

Fig. 23 Ignition Switch Mounting Screw

COLUMN

19 - 19

IGNITION SWITCH (Continued)

(9) Check for proper operation of ignition switch

and key-in warning switch.

KEY/LOCK CYLINDER

REMOVAL

The lock cylinder is inserted in the end of the

housing opposite the ignition switch. The ignition key
rotates the cylinder to 5 different detentes (Fig. 26) :

• Accessory

• Off (lock)

• Unlock

• On/Run

• Start
(1) Disconnect negative cable from battery.

(2) Place key cylinder in RUN position. Through

the hole in the lower shroud, depress lock cylinder
retaining tab and remove key cylinder.

INSTALLATION

(1) Install key in lock cylinder. Turn key to RUN

position (retaining tab on lock cylinder can be
depressed).

(2) The shaft at the end of the lock cylinder aligns

with the socket in the end of the housing. To align
the socket with the lock cylinder, ensure the socket is
in the Run position (Fig. 27).

(3) Align the lock cylinder with the grooves in the

housing. Slide the lock cylinder into the housing
until the tab sticks through the opening in the hous-
ing.

(4) Turn the key to the Off position. Remove the

key.

(5) Connect negative cable to battery.

Fig. 24 Removing Ignition Switch

Fig. 25 Ignition Switch Installation

1 - LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING
2 - SHAFT

Fig. 26 Ignition Lock Cylinder Detentes

Fig. 27 Socket in Lock Cylinder Housing

1 - LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING
2 - SOCKET

19 - 20

COLUMN

IGNITION SWITCH (Continued)

SHROUD - UPPER/LOWER

REMOVAL

(1) Fold down and remove the knee blocker panel

below steering column.

(2) Remove two column shroud retaining screws.
(3) Separate upper and lower steering column

shrouds (Fig. 28) and remove from vehicle.

INSTALLATION

(1) Connect the upper and lower steering column

shrouds (Fig. 28).

NOTE: Ensure that the locking tabs on the inboard
and outboard sides of the shrouds are secure.

(2) Install

the

two

column

shroud

retaining

screws. Torque steering column shroud retaining
screws to 2 N·m (18 in. lbs.).

(3) Install the knee blocker panel below the steer-

ing column.

STEERING COUPLING -
LOWER

DESCRIPTION

The steering column lower coupling incorporates

an dual-stage intermediate shaft with a universal
joint at its base. The lower coupling is located
between the steering column’s upper coupling and
the input shaft of the steering gear (Fig. 29). A collar
is also placed near the center of shaft.

OPERATION

The steering column lower coupling connects the

steering column shaft to the steering gear input
shaft. Working with a universal joint located on the
end of the steering column shaft, the steering column
lower coupling allows for the misalignment of the
steering column with the steering gear.

There is a dual-stage collapsible sliding joint

located in the center of the lower coupling intermedi-
ate shaft (Fig. 30). It allows the shaft to collapse
(shorten) anytime there is rearward movement of the
steering gear, such as when the vehicle is involved in
a front end collision involving the steering gear. It
takes approximately 400 lbs. of force to slide the
joint.

The collar mounted near the center of the shaft is

there to provide a clean surface for the dash seal to
ride upon, sealing the gap between the shaft and the
dash panel.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - STEERING
COLUMN LOWER COUPLING

The steering column lower coupling and its flexible

joint must be inspected whenever any of the follow-
ing conditions exist:

• After the vehicle has been involved in a collision

which deploys the airbag, regardless of the extent of
damage to the vehicle.

Fig. 28 Steering Column Shrouds

1 - UPPER SHROUD
2 - LOWER SHROUD
3 - MOUNTING SCREWS

Fig. 29 Steering Column Lower Coupling (Typical)

1 - LOWER COUPLING
2 - SEAL
3 - STEERING GEAR
4 - ROLL PIN

COLUMN

19 - 21

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