Content .. 345 346 347 348 ..

Dodge Dakota (R1). Manual - part 347

(1) During the following test, the battery negative

cable remains disconnected and isolated, as it was
during the airbag component removal and installa-
tion procedures.

(2) Be certain that the DRBIII

t scan tool contains

the latest version of the proper DRBIII

t software.

Connect the DRBIII

t to the 16-way Data Link Con-

nector (DLC). The DLC is located on the driver side
lower edge of the instrument panel, outboard of the
steering column (Fig. 4).

(3) Turn the ignition switch to the On position and

exit the vehicle with the DRBIII

(4) Check to be certain that nobody is in the vehi-

cle, then reconnect the battery negative cable.

(5) Using the DRBIII

t, read and record the active

(current) Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) data.

(6) Next, use the DRBIII

t to read and record any

stored (historical) DTC data.

(7) If any DTC is found in Step 5 or Step 6, refer

to the appropriate diagnostic information.

(8) Use the DRBIII

t to erase the stored DTC data.

If any problems remain, the stored DTC data will not
erase. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic informa-
tion to diagnose any stored DTC that will not erase.
If the stored DTC information is successfully erased,
go to Step 9.

(9) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position for

about fifteen seconds, and then back to the On posi-
tion. Observe the airbag indicator in the instrument
cluster. It should light for six to eight seconds, and

then go out. This indicates that the airbag system is
functioning normally and that the repairs are com-
plete. If the airbag indicator fails to light, or lights
and stays on, there is still an active airbag system
fault or malfunction. Refer to the appropriate diag-
nostic information to diagnose the problem.

SPECIAL TOOLS

SPECIAL TOOLS - AIRBAG SYSTEM

AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE

DESCRIPTION

The Airbag Control Module (ACM) is secured with

screws to a mount welded onto the top of the floor
panel transmission tunnel behind the instrument
panel center support bracket in the passenger com-
partment of the vehicle. The ACM contains an elec-
tronic microprocessor, an electronic impact sensor, an
electromechanical safing sensor, and an energy stor-
age capacitor. The ACM is connected to the vehicle
electrical system through a take out and connector of
the instrument panel wire harness.

The ACM cannot be repaired or adjusted and, if

damaged or faulty, it must be replaced.

OPERATION

The microprocessor in the ACM contains the airbag

system logic circuits, and it monitors and controls all
of the airbag system components. The ACM also uses
On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) and can communicate
with other electronic modules in the vehicle as well
as with the DRBIII

t scan tool using the Programma-

ble Communications Interface (PCI) data bus net-
work. This method of communication is used for
control of the airbag indicator in the ElectroMechani-
cal Instrument Cluster (EMIC) and for airbag system
diagnosis and testing through the 16-way data link
connector located on the lower left edge of the instru-
ment panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRU-
MENT

CLUSTER/AIRBAG

INDICATOR

OPERATION). The ACM microprocessor continuously
monitors all of the airbag system electrical circuits to
determine the system readiness. If the ACM detects

Fig. 4 16-Way Data Link Connector - Typical

1 - 16–WAY DATA LINK CONNECTOR
2 - BOTTOM OF INSTRUMENT PANEL

Puller C-3428-B

8O - 6

RESTRAINTS

RESTRAINTS (Continued)

a monitored system fault, it sets an active Diagnostic
Trouble Code (DTC) and sends messages to the
EMIC over the PCI data bus to turn on the airbag
indicator. If the airbag system fault is still present
when the ignition switch is turned to the Off posi-
tion, the DTC is stored in memory by the ACM. How-
ever, if a fault does not recur for a number of ignition
cycles, the ACM will automatically erase the stored
DTC.

For models equipped with the passenger airbag

on/off switch (all except quad cab), the ACM receives
a resistor multiplexed input from this switch and
provides a control output for the Off indicator in the
switch through a passenger airbag indicator driver
circuit. If the passenger airbag on/off switch is set to
the Off position, the ACM turns on the passenger air-
bag on/off switch Off indicator and will internally dis-
able the passenger airbag from being deployed if an
impact is detected that is sufficient for an airbag
deployment. The ACM also turns on the on/off switch
Off indicator for about seven seconds each time the
ignition switch is turned to the On position as a bulb
test. Following the bulb test, the ACM controls the
status of the Off indicator based upon the resistance
of the input from the on/off switch. The ACM will
also set and/or store a DTC for faults it detects in the
passenger airbag on/off switch circuits, and will turn
on the airbag indicator in the EMIC if a fault has
been detected.

The ACM receives battery current through two cir-

cuits, on a fused ignition switch output (run) circuit
through a fuse in the Junction Block (JB), and on a
fused

ignition

switch

output

(run-start)

circuit

through a second fuse in the JB. The ACM is
grounded through a ground circuit and take out of
the instrument panel wire harness. This take out has
a single eyelet terminal connector secured by a
ground screw to the left side of the floor panel trans-
mission tunnel near the ACM in the passenger com-
partment.

Therefore,

the

ACM

operational

whenever the ignition switch is in the Start or On
positions. The ACM also contains an energy-storage
capacitor. When the ignition switch is in the Start or
On positions, this capacitor is continually being
charged with enough electrical energy to deploy the
airbags for up to one second following a battery dis-
connect or failure. The purpose of the capacitor is to
provide backup airbag system protection in case
there is a loss of battery current supply to the ACM
during an impact. The capacitor is only serviced as a
unit with the ACM.

Two sensors are contained within the ACM, an

electronic impact sensor and a safing sensor. The
electronic impact sensor is an accelerometer that
senses the rate of vehicle deceleration, which pro-
vides verification of the direction and severity of an

impact. A pre-programmed decision algorithm in the
ACM microprocessor determines when the decelera-
tion rate as signaled by the impact sensor indicates
an impact that is severe enough to require airbag
system protection. When the programmed conditions
are met, the ACM sends an electrical signal to deploy
the airbags and, on quad cab models, the seat belt
tensioners. The safing sensor is an electromechanical
sensor within the ACM that is connected in series
between the ACM microprocessor deployment circuit
and the airbags/seat belt tensioners. The safing sen-
sor is a normally open switch that is used to verify or
confirm the need for an airbag deployment by detect-
ing impact energy of a lesser magnitude than that of
the electronic impact sensor, and must be closed in
order for the airbags/seat belt tensioners to deploy.
The impact sensor and safing sensor are calibrated
for the specific vehicle, and are only serviced as a
unit with the ACM.

REMOVAL

WARNING:

DISABLE

THE

AIRBAG

SYSTEM

BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL,
STEERING COLUMN, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS, OR
INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR
SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BAT-
TERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT
TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPAC-
ITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FUR-
THER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY
SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM.
FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS
COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOY-
MENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

WARNING: THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE CON-
TAINS THE IMPACT SENSOR, WHICH ENABLES
THE SYSTEM TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS. NEVER
STRIKE OR KICK THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE,
AS IT CAN DAMAGE THE IMPACT SENSOR OR
AFFECT ITS CALIBRATION. IF AN AIRBAG CON-
TROL MODULE IS ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED DUR-
ING SERVICE, THE MODULE MUST BE SCRAPPED
AND REPLACED WITH A NEW UNIT. FAILURE TO
OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL, INCOMPLETE, OR IMPROPER AIRBAG
DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE OCCUPANT INJU-
RIES.

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative

cable. If either of the airbags has not been deployed,
wait two minutes for the system capacitor to dis-
charge before further service.

(2) From the right side of the floor panel transmis-

sion tunnel, remove the screw that secures the floor

RESTRAINTS

8O - 7

AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE (Continued)

duct adapter to the bottom of the heater-air condi-
tioner housing.

(3) Remove the floor duct adapter from the bottom

of the heater-air conditioner housing.

(4) Pull the carpet on the right and left sides of

the floor panel transmission tunnel rearward far
enough to access the Airbag Control Module (ACM).

(5) Remove the two screws that secure the ACM to

the right side of the mounting bracket that is welded
onto the floor panel transmission tunnel (Fig. 5).

(6) Remove the two screws that secure the ACM to

the left side of the mounting bracket that is welded
onto the floor panel transmission tunnel.

(7) Lift the ACM upward from the mounting

bracket far enough to disengage the locator pins on
the ACM housing from the locator holes in the
mounting bracket, then pull the ACM out from under
the instrument panel far enough to access the wire
harness connector.

(8) Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness

connector for the ACM from the ACM connector
receptacle. To disconnect the instrument panel wire
harness connector for the ACM:

(a) Slide the red Connector Position Assurance

(CPA) lock on the top of the connector toward the
right side of the vehicle.

(b) Depress the latch tab on the upper surface of

the connector, and pull the connector straight away
from the ACM connector receptacle.

(9) Remove the ACM from beneath the instrument

panel.

INSTALLATION

WARNING:

DISABLE

THE

AIRBAG

SYSTEM

(1) Position the Airbag Control Module (ACM)

beneath the instrument panel.

(2) Reconnect the instrument panel wire harness

connector for the ACM to the ACM connector recep-
tacle (Fig. 5). Be certain that the connector latch and
the red Connector Position Assurance (CPA) lock are
fully engaged.

(3) Carefully position the ACM to the mounting

bracket that is welded onto the floor panel transmis-
sion tunnel. When the ACM is correctly positioned,
the locator pins on the ACM housing will be engaged
in the locator holes in the mounting bracket, and the
arrow on the ACM label will be pointed forward in
the vehicle.

(4) Install and tighten the two screws that secure

the ACM to the right side of the mounting bracket
that is welded onto the floor panel transmission tun-
nel. Tighten the screws to 12 N·m (105 in. lbs.).

(5) Install and tighten the two screws that secure

the ACM to the left side of the mounting bracket that
is welded onto the floor panel transmission tunnel.
Tighten the screws to 12 N·m (105 in. lbs.).

Fig. 5 Airbag Control Module

1 - MOUNTING BRACKET
2 - SCREW (4)
3 - AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE
4 - WIRE HARNESS
5 - CONNECTOR POSITION ASSURANCE LOCK
6 - CONNECTOR
7 - GROUND EYELET TERMINALS (2)
8 - GROUND SCREWS (2)

8O - 8

RESTRAINTS

AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE (Continued)

(6) Restore the carpet on the right and left sides of

the floor panel transmission tunnel to its proper posi-
tion beneath the instrument panel.

(7) From the right side of the floor panel transmis-

sion tunnel, position the floor duct adapter onto the
bottom of the heater-air conditioner housing.

(8) Install and tighten the screw that secures the

floor duct adapter to the bottom of the heater-air con-
ditioner housing. Tighten the screw to 2 N·m (17 in.
lbs.).

(9) Do not reconnect the battery negative cable at

this time. The airbag system verification test proce-
dure should be performed following service of any
airbag system component. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE -
VERIFICATION TEST).

CHILD TETHER

REMOVAL

Standard cab models have two child tether straps

secured near the top of the cab back panel. Club cab
and quad cab models have three child tether straps
secured near the top of the cab back panel.

WARNING: DURING AND FOLLOWING ANY SEAT
BELT SERVICE, CAREFULLY INSPECT ALL SEAT
BELTS, BUCKLES, MOUNTING HARDWARE, AND
RETRACTORS

FOR

PROPER

INSTALLATION,

OPERATION, OR DAMAGE. REPLACE ANY BELT
THAT IS CUT, FRAYED, OR TORN. STRAIGHTEN
ANY

BELT

THAT

TWISTED.

TIGHTEN

ANY

LOOSE FASTENERS. REPLACE ANY BELT THAT
HAS A DAMAGED OR INOPERATIVE BUCKLE OR
RETRACTOR. REPLACE ANY BELT THAT HAS A
BENT OR DAMAGED LATCH PLATE OR ANCHOR
PLATE. NEVER ATTEMPT TO REPAIR A SEAT BELT
COMPONENT. ALWAYS REPLACE DAMAGED OR
FAULTY SEAT BELT COMPONENTS WITH THE COR-
RECT, NEW AND UNUSED REPLACEMENT PARTS
LISTED IN THE MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.

(1) Remove the screw that secures the child tether

strap (2 used on standard cab, 3 used on club/quad
cab) to the cab back panel (Fig. 6).

(2) Remove the child tether strap from the cab

back panel.

INSTALLATION

Standard cab models have two child tether straps

secured near the top of the cab back panel. Club cab
and quad cab models have three child tether straps
secured near the top of the cab back panel.

WARNING: DURING AND FOLLOWING ANY SEAT
BELT SERVICE, CAREFULLY INSPECT ALL SEAT
BELTS, BUCKLES, MOUNTING HARDWARE, AND
RETRACTORS

FOR

PROPER

INSTALLATION,

OPERATION, OR DAMAGE. REPLACE ANY BELT
THAT IS CUT, FRAYED, OR TORN. STRAIGHTEN
ANY

BELT

THAT

TWISTED.

TIGHTEN

ANY

(1) Position the child tether strap onto the cab

back panel (Fig. 6).

(2) Install and tighten the screw that secures the

child tether strap onto the cab back panel. Tighten
the screw to 13.5 N·m (120 in. lbs.).

Fig. 6 Child Tether Straps

1 - CHILD TETHER STRAPS - STD. CAB (2)
2 - CAB BACK PANEL
3 - CHILD TETHER STRAPS - CLUB/QUAD CAB (3)

RESTRAINTS

8O - 9

AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE (Continued)

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