RAM 1500 Van V8-5.9L VIN Z LDC (2001)
The ACM cannot be repaired or adjusted and, if damaged or faulty, it must be replaced.
Service and general information labels about the airbag system can be found on the driver's sun visor, the glove box door, and in the engine
compartment.
WARNING: FAILURE TO HAVE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM PROPERLY SERVICED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER MAY LEAD
TO POSSIBLE INJURY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
Driver Airbag (DAB)
The airbag protection trim cover is the most visible part of the driver side airbag system. The module is mounted directly to the steering wheel.
Located under the trim cover are the horn switch, cover are the horn switch, the airbag cushion, and the airbag cushion 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 damaged. The inflator assembly is mounted to the back of the airbag module. The inflator seals the hole in
the airbag cushion so it can discharge the gas it produces directly into the cushion when supplied with the proper electrical signal. The protective
trim cover is fitted to the front of the airbag module and forms a decorative cover in the center of the steering wheel. Upon airbag deployment, this
cover will split at a predetermined breakout line.
THE AIRBAG MODULE INFLATOR ASSEMBLY CONTAINS SODIUM AZIDE AND POTASSIUM NITRATE. THESE MATERIALS ARE
POISONOUS AND EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. CONTACT WITH ACID, WATER, OR HEAVY METALS MAY PRODUCE HARMFUL
AND IRRITATING GASES (SODIUM HYDROXIDE IS FORMED IN THE PRESENCE OF MOISTURE) OR COMBUSTIBLE
COMPOUNDS, IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MODULE 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 column 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
electrical 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 repaired it must be replaced.
Passenger Airbag (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 it's 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 damaged. The inflator assembly is mounted to the back of the airbag module. The inflator includes a
small canister of highly compressed argon gas. The inflator 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 breakout 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 is secured at the bottom to the steel structural base of the instrument panel above the glove box opening. The airbag door is
serviced as a unit with the passenger side airbag module, and includes the two passenger heating and air conditioning panel outlet housings.
Following an airbag deployment, the airbag module and the instrument panel assembly must be replaced.
THE AIRBAG MODULE INFLATOR ASSEMBLY CONTAINS SODIUM AZIDE AND POTASSIUM NITRATE. THESE MATERIALS ARE
POISONOUS AND EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. CONTACT WITH ACID, WATER, OR HEAVY METALS MAY PRODUCE HARMFUL
AND IRRITATING GASES (SODIUM HYDROXIDE IS FORMED IN THE PRESENCE OF MOISTURE) OR COMBUSTIBLE
COMPOUNDS, IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MODULE 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). REPLACE
AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS ONLY WITH PARTS SPECIFIED IN THE CHRYSLER 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 AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS HAVE
SPECIAL COATINGS AND ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THEY MUST NEVER BE REPLACED WITH
ANY SUBSTITUTES. ANY TIME A NEW FASTENER IS NEEDED, REPLACE IT WITH THE CORRECT FASTENERS PROVIDED IN
THE SERVICE PACKAGE OR SPECIFIED IN THE CHRYSLER PARTS CATALOG.
Passenger Airbag ON/OFF Switch
The passenger side airbag ON/OFF switch is located on the instrument panel. To de-activate the passenger side airbag, turn the key actuator switch
from the horizontal position to a slanted position (pointing to the "OFF" light indicator), approximately 45 degrees clockwise from the "ON"
position. Rotating the key actuator switch 45 degrees clockwise, remove the key completely from the switch and verify that the switch actuator
