Dodge Ram 2004, Service Manual

Page: 17 / 642

3.1.2 CLOCKSPRING
The clockspring is mounted on the steering col-
umn behind the steering wheel. This assembly
consist 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 wiring
and the driver airbag, the horn, and the vehicle
speed control switches if equipped. The clockspring
must be properly centered when it is reinstalled on
the steering column following any service proce-
dure, or it could be damaged. The clockspring can-
not be repaired and it must be replaced.
3.1.3 PASSENGER AIRBAG
When supplied with the proper electrical signal
the passenger airbag inflator or inflators discharge
the gas directly into the cushion. The airbag module
cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if de-
ployed or in any way damaged.
WARNING: THE PASSENGER AIRBAG
MODULE CONTAINS ARGON GAS PRESSUR-
IZED TO 17236.89 Kpa (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 MOPAR PARTS CATA-
LOG. SUBSTITUTE PARTS MAY APPEAR
INTERCHANGEABLE,BUTINTERNALDIFFER-
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
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 MOPAR PARTS CATALOG. FAILURE TO
TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD
RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOY-
MENT AND PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
3.1.4 PASSENGER AIRBAG ON-OFF
SWITCH
The Passenger Airbag On-Off Switch allows the
customer to turn the passenger airbag function ON
or OFF. The OFF indicator will be illuminated
whenever the switch is turned to the off position
and for 2 seconds at ignition on for an indicator bulb
test. The switch assembly is mounted in the center
of instrument panel to make the OFF indicator
visible to all front seat occupants.
WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH, ALWAYS CHECK THE PASSENGER
AIRBAG
ON-OFF SWITCH POSITION
BEFORE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. A SWITCH
IN THE WRONG POSITION INCREASES THE
RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN A
COLLISION.
To operate, insert the ignition key into the switch
keyhole, push key in to release the internal plunger,
and rotate to the desired switch position. The
spring-loaded locking plunger prevents the user
from leaving the key in the switch. The key will be
automatically ejected when force is not applied. The
ignition key is the only key or object that should
ever be inserted into the switch.
NOTE: Do not turn the On-Off switch with the
ignition on.
The ACM continuously monitors the resistance of
the Passenger Airbag On-Off Switch circuits to
identify the switch position and provide circuit
diagnostics. The on-off switch ON position resis-
tance is 175 to 190 ohms and the OFF position
resistance is 820 to 870 ohms. If the on-off switch
circuits are open, shorted to ground or battery the
ACM will set active and stored DTC. Upon receiv-
ing a switch diagnostic trouble code the airbag
warning indicator, in the instrument cluster, will be
turned on by the ACM. Whenever the airbag warn-
ing indicator is illuminated, the ACM should be the
first module interrogated.
3
GENERAL INFORMATION