QuestionMy "Air Bag" light keeps ringing on sporadically. I found that the Air Bag Module need to be replaced. I have its replacement but I do not know where the unit goes in the vehicle. It is not listed in my repair book. I refuse to go to the dealership and pay inhuman prices to have it installed.
AnswerAIRBAG CONTROL MODULE
WARNING:
THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE CONTAINS THE IMPACT SENSOR, WHICH ENABLES THE SYSTEM TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAG. BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE OR SERVICE ANY AIRBAG SYSTEM OR RELATED STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENTS YOU MUST FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE. THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE FURTHER SYSTEM SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DO THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
NEVER STRIKE OR KICK THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE, AS IT CAN DAMAGE THE IMPACT SENSOR OR AFFECT ITS CALIBRATION. IF AN AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE IS ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED DURING SERVICE, THE MODULE MUST BE SCRAPPED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW UNIT. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL, INCOMPLETE, OR IMPROPER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE OCCUPANT INJURIES.
REMOVAL
Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. If either of the airbags has not been deployed, wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
Remove the center floor console from the floor panel transmission tunnel. Refer to Floor Console in the Removal and Installation section of Group 23 - Body for the procedures.
Remove the nut that secures the center console bracket to the stud on the floor panel transmission tunnel in front of the Airbag Control Module (ACM) Center Console Bracket Remove/Install
Remove the center console bracket from the stud on the floor panel transmission tunnel.
Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector from the ACM. To disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector from the ACM Airbag Control Module Wire Harness Connector :
Slide the red Connector Position Assurance (CPA) lock on the top of the connector toward the left side of the vehicle.
Depress the connector latch tab and pull the connector straight away from the ACM connector receptacle
Remove the four screws that secure the ACM to the mount that is welded onto the floor panel transmission tunnel Airbag Control Module Remove/Install
Remove the ACM from the mount on the floor panel transmission tunnel.
INSTALLATION
Carefully position the ACM to the mount that is welded onto the floor panel transmission tunnel. The bottom of the ACM housing is keyed. When the ACM is correctly positioned the bottom of the housing will fit flush with the mount, and the arrow on the ACM housing will be pointed forward in the vehicle.
Install and tighten the four screws that secure the ACM to the mount that is welded onto the floor panel transmission tunnel. Tighten the screws to 7.9 N·m (70 in. lbs.)
Reconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector to the ACM connector receptacle. Be certain that the connector latch and the red CPA lock are fully engaged Airbag Control Module Wire Harness Connector
Install the center console bracket onto the stud on the floor panel transmission tunnel in front of the ACM.
Install and tighten the nut that secures the center console bracket to the stud on the floor panel transmission tunnel. Tighten the nut to 28.2 N·m (250 in. lbs.)
Install the center floor console onto the floor panel transmission tunnel. Refer to Floor Console in the Removal and Installation section of Group 23 - Body for the procedures.
Do not reconnect the battery negative cable at this time. Refer to Airbag System in the Diagnosis and Testing section of this group for the proper procedures.
