The illumination on the Cruise Control ON/OFF switch module on the steering column recently stopped working. I managed to get the cover and module loose to check for a bad bulb. When I tried to reinstall the module I don't seem to be able to seat the connector properly.

It looks like I need to take the horn/airbag cover off the steering column to see what the problem is with the connector. I hesitate to just pry it off because of concerns about screwing up / deploying the airbag. Any advice in how to proceed? Will the cover come off without breaking the airbag?

Thanks,

Frank

 

The cover does not come off the airbag. You have to remove the 2 screws from the back of the steering wheel that hold the airbag on. I'll cut and paste some warnings and instructions for removing it out of the shop manual here for you.......

General Instructions
WARNING: ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WHEN SERVICING AN AIR BAG VEHICLE AND WHEN HANDLING AN AIR BAG.

Safe handling of an air bag requires adhering to the following procedures for both live and deployed air bags.


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Air Bags, Live
Carry a live air bag with the bag and trim cover pointed away from your body. An accidental deployment will then deploy with a minimal chance of injury.
Place a live air bag on a bench or other surface with the trim cover up, away from the surface. This will reduce the motion of the module if it is accidentally deployed.

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Air Bag Instructions
WARNING: SERVICE IS MADE BY REPLACEMENT ONLY. DO NOT ATTEMPT SERVICE OF:

CRASH SENSORS.
AIR BAG SLIDING CONTACT
AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR
AIR BAG MODULES.
AIR BAG MODULES WITH DISCOLORED OR DAMAGED COVER DEPLOYMENT DOORS MUST BE REPLACED, NOT REPAINTED.
NEVER PROBE THE CONNECTORS ON THE AIR BAG. DOING SO MAY RESULT IN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

ALL COMPONENT REPLACEMENTS AND WIRING SERVICE MUST BE MADE WITH THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE DISCONNECTED FOR A MINIMUM OF ONE MINUTE BEFORE SERVICE OR REPLACEMENT IS ATTEMPTED.

VEHICLE SENSOR ORIENTATION IS CRITICAL FOR PROPER SYSTEM OPERATION. IF A VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR BAG SYSTEM IS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE THE FENDERS OR GRILLE AREA HAVE BEEN DAMAGED, INSPECT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MOUNTING BRACKETS FOR DEFORMATION. IF DAMAGED, THE SENSOR SHOULD BE REPLACED WHETHER OR NOT THE AIR BAG IS DEPLOYED. IN ADDITION, ENSURE THAT BODY STRUCTURE IN THE AREA OF SENSOR MOUNTING IS RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION.


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WARNING: THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT NECESSARY FOR SYSTEM DEPLOYMENT IS POWERED DIRECTLY FROM THE BATTERY. TO AVOID ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY, THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MUST BE DISCONNECTED PRIOR TO SERVICING OR REPLACING ANY SYSTEM COMPONENTS.

NOTE: If the air bag did not deploy in a collision, it may not have been needed. Complete all diagnosis before replacing the driver side air bag module (043B13).



Disconnect positive battery cable and wait one minute for backup power supply energy to be depleted.

Remove two back cover plugs. Remove two driver side air bag module to steering wheel screws and washers.

WARNING: WHEN CARRYING A LIVE AIR BAG MODULE, MAKE SURE THE BAG AND TRIM COVER ARE POINTED AWAY FROM YOUR BODY. IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT OF ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT, THE CHANCE OF INJURY WILL BE MINIMAL.

WARNING: AFTER REMOVAL OF A LIVE AIR BAG MODULE, ALWAYS PLACE ON BENCH OR OTHER SUITABLE SURFACE WITH TRIM COVER FACING UP, AWAY FROM THE SURFACE. THIS WILL REDUCE THE MOTION OF THE MODULE AND DIMINISH THE RISK OF INJURY IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT OF ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT.

Disconnect the air bag sliding contact connector from driver air bag wiring. Remove driver side air bag module and place on bench or other suitable surface with trim cover facing up.

Installation

Connect driver air bag wiring to air bag sliding contact connector.

Position driver side air bag module to steering wheel (3600) and install the two driver side air bag module screws. Tighten the driver side air bag module screws to 10.8-13.5 Nm (8-10 lb-ft).

Reconnect battery to starter relay cable (14300).

Reconnect battery ground cable (14301).

Turn ignition switch (11572) to RUN and verify air bag indicator is functioning properly. Refer to Air Bag Indicator operation in this section.

 

Thanks for the quick response and detailed information on removal of the airbag. I had a feeling it wasn't as simple as popping the cover off...

I'll let you know what happens.

Thanks again,

Frank