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Looking for CORRECT Service Manual info for '15 Passenger Airbag Removal

6K views 18 replies 11 participants last post by  WillB 
#1 ·
EDIT: I was working with Chilton's Quality Assurance team, and we checked 2015-2018 source materials from Chrysler... and they are all wrong. So, basically, as far as I can tell, the correct version doesn't exist. Chilton is reaching out to Chrysler on this.

Does anyone have the CORRECT info on 2015 JK/JKU passenger airbag removal? I have a service manual, but it is wrong. It has instructions from an older model (2014). So... looking for the updated instructions. Here is the path for the info I need:

Body > Restraints > Air Bag, Passenger

I am specifically looking for the removal and installation steps.

Here is the wrong information for the 2015:



This is the old style airbag.

The new system is a complete dash bezel:



Just looking at the photo, it looks to just be a series of clips, but I'd like to make sure I understand the details and order disassembly/reassembly. This is the first time my service manual has failed me...
 
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#7 ·
SOLVED: JK Passenger Airbag Removal

So I wanted to follow up here, since I actually did remove my passenger side airbag yesterday (2015 JKU). To be fair, the process is pretty much the same as the previous generation, but the graphics and finer details are missing. But.. there are still three nuts to loosen, and they are essentially in the same place. So if you follow the old instructions, they get you close enough that you can figure out the rest, even though it's not exactly the same.

I went through the removal of mine in this video. I am prepping for the airbag recall, and because I have a lot of aftermarket accessories that interfere with the stock process for removal, I decided to go ahead and do all of the pre-work so the dealer just has to make the swap, and not have to worry about my aftermarket stereo (Seicane) or glove box (Tuffy) or roll cage (RH4X4).

 
#12 ·
So I wanted to follow up here, since I actually did remove my passenger side airbag yesterday (2015 JKU). To be fair, the process is pretty much the same as the previous generation, but the graphics and finer details are missing. But.. there are still three nuts to loosen, and they are essentially in the same place. So if you follow the old instructions, they get you close enough that you can figure out the rest, even though it's not exactly the same.

I went through the removal of mine in this video. I am prepping for the airbag recall, and because I have a lot of aftermarket accessories that interfere with the stock process for removal, I decided to go ahead and do all of the pre-work so the dealer just has to make the swap, and not have to worry about my aftermarket stereo (Seicane) or glove box (Tuffy) or roll cage (RH4X4).

https://youtu.be/ASr7wOsFIjA
I let dealership have at it w my wife’s ‘16, not knowing better, and the dash panel came back slightly warped. Maybe it was before hand but I never noticed. When I took my ‘15 in I pulled most of dash apart aside from the airbag panel. The tech told me after the fact that they do not pull that entire panel completely off. They pull it loose from top and do swap from above. HE SAID that panel was not designed to be removed and that’s why some warp. Obviously a lie based on the video.
 
#8 ·
Seems like a pretty involved procedure. Some have reported the dealer just reaches through the glovebox, Wham bang, 15 minutes in and out. Is this a model year thing, something to do with options, AC equipped, flux capacitor?
 
#9 ·
That's how the dealer swapped mine. I asked them if i needed to remove any of my dash mounts and was warning them of a couple of my changes. The guy told me it wasn't necessary that the technician was just going to remove the glove box and swap it through that cavity. Not sure if that's what they did or not, but nothing seemed moved when i got it back. I only sat maybe an hour at the dealer.

Sent from my GM1917 using Tapatalk
 
#10 ·
IIRC, someone posted a pdf of Safety Recall V01 that includes full detailed instructions with pictures.

Edit: It looks like the newer inflators CBXZS435AB or CBXZS435AC (according to the instructions) could be swapped out through the dash... the tricky part looks to be disconnecting the electrical connections at each end of the inflator.

What's interesting is that CBXZS435AC is only $40.
 
#13 ·
In my 2015 JKU, this is what the airbag panel looks like. I don't see how anyone is removing the airbag from the glovebox. The airbag sits inside that little cage, and is clipped in with metal tabs, top and bottom. My dealer quotes an hour to do it. They were fine with me doing the pre-work, and when they were done it was all clipped and bolted back together.

 
#15 ·
^^Yes, that's it.
I think I had it wrong in my last post, as it looks like the latest replacement kit requires the entire PAB to be pulled because a new fabric gasket has to be installed.
 
#17 ·
Why cant we just replace it ourselves?
Warranty?
Resale value?
 
#18 ·
For my 16 JK - FROM alldayadiy - REMOVAL.

REMOVAL

WARNING:
To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbags, airbag curtains, knee blocker, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect the IBS/negative battery cable assembly from the negative battery post, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the SRS. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.

WARNING:
To avoid serious or fatal injury when removing a deployed airbag, rubber gloves, eye protection, and a long-sleeved shirt should be worn. There may be deposits on the airbag unit and other interior surfaces. In large doses, these deposits may cause irritation to the skin and eyes.



NOTE:
The following procedure is for replacement of an ineffective or damaged Passenger AirBag (PAB). If the airbag is ineffective or damaged, but not deployed, review the recommended procedures for Handling Non-Deployed Supplemental Restraints. See: Service and Repair (Refer to 10 - Restraints - Standard Procedure). If the PAB has been deployed, review the recommended procedures for Service After A Supplemental Restraint Deployment before removing the airbag from the vehicle. See: Service and Repair (Refer to 10 - Restraints - Standard Procedure).

Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable. If equipped with an Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS), disconnect the IBS connector first before disconnecting the negative battery cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
Remove the trim plug (2) from the access hole in the top of the instrument panel (1) between the windshield and the forward edge of the Passenger AirBag (PAB) door (3).
Working through the access hole, loosen the nut that secures the PAB upper bracket and the instrument panel armature to the stud near the windshield fence line.



Remove the grab handle above the glove box door from the instrument panel. See: Body and Frame\Interior Moulding / Trim\Passenger Assist Handle\Service and Repair\Grab Handle - Removal (Refer to 23 - Body/Instrument Panel/HANDLE, Grab - Removal).
Remove the glove box from the instrument panel. See: Body and Frame\Interior Moulding / Trim\Glove Compartment\Service and Repair\Instrument Panel Glove Box - Removal (Refer to 23 - Body/Instrument Panel/GLOVE BOX, Instrument Panel - Removal).
Reach up into the instrument panel glove box opening to access and remove the two nuts (3) that secure the PAB lower studs to the instrument panel armature (2) on each side of the glove box latch striker (1).
Using a trim stick or another suitable wide flat-bladed tool, gently pry the edges of the PAB door rearward far enough to disengage the snap features on the door from the receptacles in the instrument panel base trim.
Grasp the lower edge of the PAB door and pull the door and PAB unit rearward far enough to access the two instrument panel wire harness connections to the PAB inflators at each side of the PAB housing.
CAUTION:
Do not pull on the instrument panel wire harness take outs or pry on the connector insulators to disengage the connectors from the passenger airbag inflator connector receptacles. Improper removal of these take outs and their connector insulators can result in damage to the airbag circuits or the connector insulators.

Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connectors from the PAB inflators. Firmly grasp and pull the lock straight out from the connector insulator, then pull the insulators straight out from the inflator to disconnect them from the connector receptacles.
Remove the PAB and door from the instrument panel as a unit.
 

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#19 ·
Passenger side install for my 2016 JK.

Passenger Air Bag - Installation

INSTALLATION

WARNING:
To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbags, airbag curtains, knee blocker, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect the IBS/negative battery cable assembly from the negative battery post, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the SRS. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.

WARNING:
To avoid serious or fatal injury, use extreme care to prevent any foreign material from entering the passenger airbag, or from becoming entrapped between the airbag cushion and the deployment door. Failure to observe this warning could result in occupant injuries upon airbag deployment.

WARNING:
To avoid serious or fatal injury, the instrument panel cover must never be painted. Replacement covers are serviced in the original colors. Paint may change the way in which the material of the cover responds to an airbag deployment. Failure to observe this warning could result in occupant injuries upon airbag deployment.




NOTE:
The following procedure is for replacement of an ineffective or damaged Passenger AirBag (PAB). If the airbag is ineffective or damaged, but not deployed, review the recommended procedures for Handling Non-Deployed Supplemental Restraints. See: Service and Repair (Refer to 10 - Restraints - Standard Procedure). If the PAB has been deployed, review the recommended procedures for Service After A Supplemental Restraint Deployment before removing the airbag from the vehicle. See: Service and Repair (Refer to 10 - Restraints - Standard Procedure).

Position the Passenger AirBag (PAB) and PAB door to the opening in the face of the instrument panel base trim as a unit.
Connect the two connector insulators of the instrument panel wire harness take outs to the PAB inflator connector receptacles on each side of the PAB housing by pressing straight in on the connectors, then pushing the locks straight into the connectors. Be certain to engage each keyed and color-coded connector to the matching connector receptacle.
Slide the PAB forward being certain that the upper PAB bracket is engaged with the stud and under the nut on the windshield fence line and that the two lower studs of the PAB are engaged in the holes of the instrument panel armature (2).
Install and tighten the two nuts (3) that secure the PAB lower studs to the instrument panel armature. Tighten the nuts to 6 N·m (53 in. lbs.).
Using hand pressure, press the PAB door forward and downward until each snap feature on the edges of the PAB door is fully engaged into its receptacle in the instrument panel base trim.
Install the grab handle onto the instrument panel. See: Body and Frame\Interior Moulding / Trim\Passenger Assist Handle\Service and Repair\Grab Handle - Installation (Refer to 23 - Body/Instrument Panel/HANDLE, Grab - Installation).
Install the glove box into the instrument panel. See: Body and Frame\Interior Moulding / Trim\Glove Compartment\Service and Repair\Instrument Panel Glove Box - Installation (Refer to 23 - Body/Instrument Panel/GLOVE BOX, Instrument Panel - Installation).



Working through the access hole in the top of the instrument panel (1) between the windshield and the forward edge of the PAB door (3), tighten the nut that secures the PAB upper bracket and the instrument panel armature to the stud near the windshield fence line. Tighten the nut to 12 N·m (106 in. lbs.).
Install the trim plug (2) into the access hole in the top of the instrument panel.
Do not connect the negative cable to the battery at this time. The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Verification Test procedure should be performed following service of any SRS component. See: Service and Repair (Refer to 10 - Restraints - Standard Procedure
 

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