RAM 2500 Van V8-5.2L Prop VIN 2 (2000)
Air Bag Deactivation Switch: Description and Operation
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
hole stays in the new position (45 degrees clockwise from horizontal). The switch is spring loaded to the "ON" position. It will return to the "ON"
position unless you remove the key. When the IGNITION in ON, this procedure will illuminate the "OFF" light indicator on the passenger airbag
ON/OFF switch.
To re-enable the passenger side airbag, reverse the procedure above so that the key switch actuator is returned to a horizontal position.
NOTE: DO NOT TURN IGNITION ON WITH KEY IN SWITCH. DO NOT TURN SWITCH WITH IGNITION ON. DO NOT LEAVE KEY
IN SWITCH.
THE KEY MUST ALWAYS BE REMOVED FROM THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ON/OFF SWITCH KEY CYLINDER AFTER THE
SWITCH HAS BEEN USED. NEVER LEAVE A KEY IN THE ON/OFF KEY CYLINDER.
The ON/OFF switch cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if faulty or damaged, the ON/OFF switch 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.
A passenger side airbag ON/OFF switch is used on certain models not equipped with rear passenger seating. This switch, which is located on the
instrument panel, allows the passenger side airbag system to be disabled when certain child restraint devices are being used in the right front
seating position. The passenger side airbag ON/OFF switch is equipped with a key actuator so that the switch position can be changed using an
ignition key. The key is inserted into the actuator far enough to fully depress a spring-loaded locking plunger, then rotated to the desired position.
The key will not insert all the way into the actuator, and the spring-loaded locking plunger prevents the user from leaving a key in the actuator.
When the ignition switch is in the ON position and the passenger side airbag system is disabled, a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) illuminates an OFF
indicator lamp on the face plate of the switch.
The passenger side airbag ON/OFF switch cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if faulty or damaged, the switch assembly must be replaced.
To actuate the passenger side airbag ON/OFF switch, insert the ignition key in the switch key actuator far enough to fully depress the
spring-loaded locking plunger. The switch key actuator is then rotated with the ignition key to its clockwise stop (the key actuator slot will be
aligned with the OFF indicator lamp) to disable the passenger side airbag system. When the switch key actuator is rotated with the ignition key to
its counterclockwise stop (the key actuator slot will be in a vertical position), the OFF indicator lamp will be extinguished and the passenger side
airbag system will be enabled.
