Dakota Quad Cab 2WD V8-5.9L VIN Z LDC (2002)
2. Remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel (Refer to RESTRAINTS/ DRIVER AIRBAG - REMOVAL).
3. Using hand pressure, press the airbag housing down into the receptacle on the back of the driver airbag trim cover.
4. Carefully pry back the walls of the driver airbag receptacle on the back of the trim cover to release each of the twelve windows of the trim cover
receptacle from the twelve hook formations on the perimeter of the airbag housing.
5. Remove the housing, inflator, cushion, and horn switch as a unit from the driver airbag trim cover receptacle.
6. Gently pry off the plastic wire retainer that captures the horn switch feed pigtail wire between the upper right inflator stud and the inflator on the
back of the driver airbag housing.
7. Remove the nut and washer that secures the horn switch ground pigtail wire eyelet terminal to the upper left inflator stud on the back of the driver
airbag housing.
8. Remove the horn switch ground pigtail wire eyelet terminal from the upper left inflator stud on the back of the driver airbag housing.
9. Slide the horn switch and tray unit all the way to one side of the pouch on the driver airbag cushion retainer strap to disengage one of the retaining
tabs on the tray from one of the slits located in each side of the pouch.
Fig.13 Horn Switch Remove/Install
10. Remove the horn switch and tray as a unit from the pouch on the driver airbag cushion retainer strap.
Assembly
The following procedures can be used to replace the driver airbag trim cover or the horn switch and tray unit. If the driver airbag is faulty or deployed,
the entire driver airbag, trim cover, and horn switch must be replaced as a unit.
WARNING:
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DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, SEAT BELT
TENSIONER, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE
BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO
DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE
THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG
DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
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THE HORN SWITCH IS INTEGRAL TO THE DRIVER AIRBAG UNIT. SERVICE OF THIS UNIT SHOULD BE PERFORMED
ONLY BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER-TRAINED AND AUTHORIZED DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIANS. FAILURE TO TAKE THE
PROPER PRECAUTIONS OR TO FOLLOW THE PROPER PROCEDURES COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL, INCOMPLETE,
OR IMPROPER AIR- BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE OCCUPANT INJURIES.
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USE EXTREME CARE TO PREVENT ANY FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM ENTERING THE DRIVER AIRBAG, OR BECOMING
ENTRAPPED BETWEEN THE DRIVER AIRBAG CUSHION AND THE DRIVER AIRBAG TRIM COVER. FAILURE TO
OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURIES UPON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
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THE DRIVER AIRBAG TRIM COVER MUST NEVER BE PAINTED. REPLACEMENT TRIM COVERS ARE SERVICED IN THE
ORIGINAL COLORS. PAINT MAY CHANGE THE WAY IN WHICH THE MATERIAL OF THE TRIM COVER RESPONDS TO AN
AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURIES UPON AIRBAG
DEPLOYMENT.