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Chrysler PT Cruiser. Manual - part 517

able the side impact airbag system. Failure to
do this could result in accidental side impact
airbag module deployment and possible per-
sonal injury or death.

Allow system capacitor to discharge for two

minutes before removing airbag components.

Do not place a nondeployed side airbag face

down on a hard surface, the airbag will propel
into the air if accidentally deployed, and could
result in personal injury or death.

Do not attempt to dismantle a side impact

airbag control module (SIACM) or tamper with
its inflator. Do not puncture, incinerate, or
bring into contact with electricity. Do not store
at temperatures exceeding 93° c (200° f).

Replace side impact airbag system compo-

nents only with parts specified in the Mopar

parts catalog. Substitute parts may appear
interchangeable, but internal differences may
result in inferior occupant protection.

The fasteners, screws, and bolts originally

used for the side impact airbag system compo-
nents have special coatings and are specifically
designed for the side impact airbag system.
They must never be replaced with any substi-
tutes. Any time a new fastener is needed,
replace it with the correct fasteners provided
in the service package or specified in the
Mopar

t parts catalog.

Deployed and nondeployed airbags may or

may not have live pyrotechnic material within
the airbag inflator. Do not dispose of driver,
passenger, or side airbags unless you are sure
of complete deployment. Please refer to the
hazardous substance control system for proper
disposal. Dispose of deployed airbags in a man-
ner consistent with state, provincial, local, and
federal regulations.

LOWER ANCHOR AND TETHER FOR CHILDREN

During, and following, any child restraint

anchor service, due to an impact event or vehi-
cle repair, carefully inspect all mounting hard-
ware, tether straps, and anchors for proper
installation, operation, or damage. If a child
restraint anchor is found damaged in any way,
the anchor must be replaced.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - AIRBAG SYSTEM

(1) With the battery negative remote cable discon-

nected, connect the scan tool to the Data Link Con-
nector (DLC).

(2) Turn the ignition key to the ON position, then

exit vehicle with the scan tool.

(3) After checking that no one is inside the vehicle,

connect the battery negative remote terminal.

(4) Read and record the ACTIVE Diagnostic Trou-

ble Code (DTC) data.

(5) Read and record any STORED DTC’s.
(6) Refer to the proper diagnostic information if

any DTC’s are found in Step 4 and Step 5.

(7) If the airbag warning lamp either fails to light,

or goes ON and stays ON, there is a system malfunc-
tion. To test the airbag warning lamp (bulb) opera-
tion in the cluster (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
INSTRUMENT

CLUSTER

DIAGNOSIS

AND

TESTING). Refer to the proper diagnostic informa-
tion for any other system problems.

STANDARD PROCEDURE

STANDARD PROCEDURE - HANDLING
AIRBAGS

DEPLOYED AIRBAG

The vehicle interior may contain a very small

amount of sodium hydroxide powder, a by-product of
airbag deployment. Sodium hydroxide powder can
irritate the skin, eyes, nose and throat. Wear safety
glasses, rubber gloves, and long sleeved clothing
when cleaning any of the powder residue from the
vehicle.

If you find that the cleanup is irritating your skin,

run cool water over the affected area. Also, if you
experience nasal or throat irritation, exit the vehicle
for fresh air until the irritation ceases. If irritation
continues, see a physician.

UNDEPLOYED AIRBAG

The airbags must be stored in its original special

container until used for service. At no time should a
source of electricity be permitted near the inflator on
the back of an airbag. When carrying or handling an
undeployed airbag, the trim side of the airbag should
be pointing toward the body to minimize possibility
of injury if accidental deployment occurs. Do not
place undeployed airbag face down on a solid surface,
the airbag will propel into the air if accidental
deployment occurs.

STANDARD PROCEDURE - SERVICE AFTER AN
AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT

DRIVER AIRBAG

After a Driver Airbag has been deployed due to a

collision, the following MUST be replaced:

• Driver Airbag

• Clockspring Assembly

• Steering Wheel

• Complete Steering Column Assembly with Lower

Steering Column Coupler

8O - 4

RESTRAINTS

RESTRAINTS (Continued)

All other airbag and vehicle components should be

closely inspected following any airbag deployment,
and should be replaced when visible damage is
incurred.

WARNING: Do not connect the battery negative
cable (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS -
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - AIRBAG SYSTEM). Per-
sonal injury or death may result if the system test
is not performed first.

PASSENGER AIRBAG

After a Passenger Airbag has been deployed due to

a collision. the following MUST be replaced:

• Passenger Airbag

• Passenger Airbag Cover
All other airbag and vehicle components should be

closely inspected following any airbag deployment,
and should be replaced when visible damage is
incurred.

SEAT AIRBAG

After a Seat Airbag has been deployed due to a col-

lision. the following MUST be replaced:

• Complete Seat Back Assembly
All other airbag and vehicle components should be

closely inspected following any airbag deployment,
and should be replaced when visible damage is
incurred.

SEAT BELTS AND TENSIONERS

After a frontal impact where an airbag has been

deployed due to a collision. the following MUST be
replaced:

• Front Seat Belt Retractors (driver and passen-

ger) with integral Tensioners.

All other seat belts should be closely inspected for

cuts, tears, fraying, or damage in any way following
any frontal impact or airbag deployment. The other
seat belts are to be replaced when visible damage is
incurred. Inspect the Lower Anchors and Tether for

CHildren (LATCH) child restraint anchors for dam-
age after an impact event and replace as needed.

CLEAN UP PROCEDURE

Roll or fold the airbag towards its mounting point

(i.e. instrument panel, steering wheel, or seat back).
Then tape the ripped cover over the deployed airbag.

Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any residual pow-

der from the vehicle interior. Work from the outside
in to avoid kneeling or sitting in a contaminated
area. Vacuum the heater and A/C outlets as well (Fig.
3). If the heater or air conditioner was in RECIRC
mode at time of airbag deployment, operate blower
motor on low speed and vacuum powder residue
expelled from the heater and A/C outlets. Multiple
vacuum cleaning may be necessary to decontaminate
the interior of the vehicle.

CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHOR

DESCRIPTION

The Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren, or

LATCH child restraint anchorage system provides for
the installation of suitable child restraints in certain
seating positions without using the seat belt provided
for that seating position. The second row seats are
equipped with a fixed-position child restraint upper
tether anchor for both the outboard seating positions
(Fig. 4), and child restraint lower anchors for both
outboard seating positions (Fig. 5).

The lower anchors are permanently mounted on

the second row seat frames. These anchors are also
constructed from a heavy-gauge steel wire loop
welded to the frame. They are each accessed from the
front of their respective seats, at each side where the

Fig. 3 VACUUM HEATER AND A/C OUTLETS -

TYPICAL

RESTRAINTS

8O - 5

RESTRAINTS (Continued)

seat back meets the seat cushion (Fig. 5). These
lower anchors cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if
faulty or damaged, the entire seat frame must be
replaced.

OPERATION

See the owner’s manual in the vehicle glove box for

more information on the proper use of all of the fac-
tory-installed child restraint anchors.

CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHOR -
PT27

DESCRIPTION

This model is equipped with a Lower Anchors and

Tether for CHildren, or LATCH child restraint
anchorage system (Fig. 6). The LATCH system pro-
vides for the installation of suitable child restraints
in certain seating positions without using the stan-
dard equipment seat belt provided for that seating
position. The rear seats are equipped with a fixed-po-
sition child restraint upper tether anchor for both the
two outboard seating positions, and child restraint
lower anchors for the two outboard seating positions
only.

The two upper tether anchors are integral to the

rear seat back attachment panel (Fig. 7). There is a
separate molded plastic trim bezel located around
each of the two anchors. The child restraint upper
tether anchors cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if
faulty or damaged, they must be replaced with the
rear seat back attachment panel.

OPERATION

See the owner’s manual in the vehicle glove box for

more information on the proper use of all of the fac-
tory-installed child restraint anchors.

CLOCKSPRING

DESCRIPTION

The clockspring is mounted to the steering column

behind the steering wheel (Fig. 8). This assembly
consists of a flat, ribbon like, electrically conductive
tape that winds and unwinds with the steering wheel
rotation. The clockspring is used to maintain a con-
tinuous electrical circuit between the wiring harness
and the:

• Driver Airbag.

• Speed Control Switch.

• Horn Switch.

Fig. 4 UPPER TETHER ANCHOR

Fig. 5 LOWER CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS

Fig. 6 LOWER CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS

Fig. 7 UPPER TETHER STRAP ANCHOR

8O - 6

RESTRAINTS

CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHOR (Continued)

OPERATION

The clockspring is used to maintain a continuous

electrical circuit between the wiring harness and the
driver airbag.

The clockspring must be properly centered when it

is installed on the steering column following any ser-
vice removal, or it will be damaged (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING

STANDARD PROCEDURE).

The clockspring cannot be repaired. If the clock

spring is faulty, damaged, or if the airbag has been
deployed, the clockspring must be replaced.

STANDARD PROCEDURE - CLOCKSPRING
CENTERING

If the rotating tape within the clockspring is not

positioned properly with the steering wheel and the
front wheels, the clockspring may fail during use.
The following procedure MUST BE USED to center
the clockspring if:

• The clockspring is not known to be properly

positioned.

• The front wheels were moved.

• The steering wheel was moved from the half

turn (180 degrees) to the right (clockwise) position.

(1) Open hood.
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative

cable.

WARNING: Wait two minutes for the airbag system
reserve capacitor to discharge before beginning
any airbag system or component service. Failure to
do so may result in accidental airbag deployment,
personal injury or death.

(3) Remove clockspring (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-

CAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING - REMOVAL).

(4) Rotate the clockspring rotor in the CLOCK-

WISE DIRECTION to the end of travel. Do not apply
excessive torque.

(5) From the end of travel, rotate the rotor three

full turns in the counterclockwise direction. The horn
wire and the squib wire should end up at the bottom.
If not, rotate the rotor counter clockwise until the
wires are properly oriented, but not more than half
turn (180 degrees). Engage clockspring locking mech-
anism.

(6) Install the clockspring (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-

CAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING

INSTALLA-

TION).

(7) Close hood.
(8) Verify vehicle and system operation.

REMOVAL

(1) Place the front road wheels in the straight

ahead position. Then:

• Rotate the steering wheel half turn (180

degrees) to the right (clockwise).

• Lock column with ignition lock cylinder.
(2) Open hood.
(3) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative

cable.

(4)

Fig. 8 CLOCKSPRING

1 - LOCKING PIN
2 - DRIVER AIRBAG WIRE/CONNECTOR
3 - HORN WIRE/CONNECTOR
4 - SPEED CONTROL WIRE/CONNECTOR

RESTRAINTS

8O - 7

CLOCKSPRING (Continued)

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