the steering wheel. Upon airbag deployment, this
cover will split at a predetermined breakout line.
THE AIRBAG MODULE INFLATOR ASSEM-
BLY CONTAINS SODIUM AZIDE AND POTAS-
SIUM NITRATE. THESE MATERIALS ARE
POISONOUS AND EXTREMELY FLAMMA-
BLE. CONTACT WITH ACID, WATER, OR
HEAVY METALS MAY PRODUCE HARMFUL
AND
IRRITATING
GASES
(SODIUM
HY-
DROXIDE IS FORMED IN THE PRESENCE
OF MOISTURE) OR COMBUSTIBLE COM-
POUNDS. IN ADDITION, THE AIRBAG MOD-
ULE CONTAINS ARGON GAS PRESSURIZED
TO OVER 2500 PSI. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO
DISMANTLE
AN
AIRBAG
MODULE
OR
TAMPER WITH ITS INFLATOR. DO NOT
PUNCTURE, INCINERATE, OR BRING INTO
CONTACT WITH ELECTRICITY. DO NOT
STORE
AT
TEMPERATURE
EXCEEDING
93°C (200°F).
CLOCKSPRING
The clockspring is mounted on the steering col-
umn behind the steering wheel. This assembly
consists of a plastic housing which contains a flat,
ribbon-like, electrically conductive tape that winds
and unwinds with the steering wheel rotation. The
clockspring is used to maintain a continuous elec-
trical circuit between the instrument panel wire
harness and the driver side airbag module, the horn
switch, and the vehicle speed control switches on
vehicles that are so equipped. The clockspring must
be properly centered when it is installed on the
steering column following any service removal, or it
will be damaged. The clockspring cannot be re-
paired it must be replaced.
PASSENGER AIRBAG MODULE (PAB)
The airbag door in the instrument panel top cover
above the glove box is the most visible part of the
passenger side airbag system. Located under the
airbag door is the airbag cushion and its supporting
components. The airbag module includes a housing
to which the cushion and inflator are attached and
sealed. The airbag module cannot be repaired, and
must be replaced if deployed or in any way dam-
aged. The inflator assembly is mounted to the back
of the airbag module. The inflator includes a small
canister of highly compressed argon gas. The infla-
tor seals the hole in the airbag cushion so it can
discharge the compressed gas it contains directly
into the cushion when supplied with the proper
electrical signal. The airbag door has a living hinge
at the top, which is secured to the instrument panel
top cover. The door also has predetermined break-
out lines concealed beneath its decorative cover.
Upon airbag deployment, the airbag door will split
at the breakout lines and the door will pivot out of
the way.
THE AIRBAG MODULE INFLATOR ASSEM-
BLY CONTAINS SODIUM AZIDE AND POTAS-
SIUM NITRATE. THESE MATERIALS ARE
POISONOUS AND EXTREMELY FLAMMA-
BLE. CONTACT WITH ACID, WATER, OR
HEAVY METALS MAY PRODUCE HARMFUL
AND
IRRITATING
GASES
(SODIUM
HY-
DROXIDE IS FORMED IN THE PRESENCE
OF MOISTURE) OR COMBUSTIBLE COM-
POUNDS. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER
AIRBAG MODULE CONTAINS ARGON GAS
PRESSURIZED TO OVER 2500 PSI. DO NOT
ATTEMPT TO DISMANTLE AN AIRBAG MOD-
ULE OR TAMPER WITH ITS INFLATOR. DO
NOT PUNCTURE, INCINERATE, OR BRING
INTO CONTACT WITH ELECTRICITY. DO
NOT STORE AT TEMPERATURE EXCEED-
ING 93°C (200°F).
REPLACE
AIRBAG
SYSTEM
COMPO-
NENTS ONLY WITH PARTS SPECIFIED IN
THE CHRYSLER MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.
SUBSTITUTE PARTS MAY APPEAR INTER-
CHANGEABLE, BUT INTERNAL DIFFER-
ENCES MAY RESULT IN INFERIOR OCCU-
PANT
PROTECTION.
THE
FASTENERS,
SCREWS, AND BOLTS ORIGINALLY USED
FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS
HAVE SPECIAL COATINGS AND ARE SPE-
CIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM.
THEY
MUST
NEVER
BE
RE-
PLACED WITH ANY SUBSTITUTES. ANY
TIME A NEW FASTENER IS NEEDED, RE-
PLACE IT WITH THE CORRECT FASTENERS
PROVIDED IN THE SERVICE PACKAGE OR
SPECIFIED IN THE CHRYSLER MOPAR
PARTS CATALOG.
3.1.1
AIRBAG DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE
CODES
Airbag diagnostic trouble codes consist of active
and stored codes. If more than one code exists,
diagnostic priority should be given to the active
codes.
Each diagnostic trouble code is diagnosed by
following a specific testing procedure. The diagnos-
tic test procedures contain step-by step instructions
for determining the cause of the trouble codes. It is
not necessary to perform all of the tests in this book
to diagnose an individual code.
Always begin by reading the diagnostic trouble
codes using the DRBIII
t. Refer to the Table of
Contents and select the specific DTC to be diag-
nosed. This will direct you to the specific test(s) that
must be performed.
3
GENERAL INFORMATION