Chrysler 300M, Dodge Interpid. Manual — part 283

INTERMEDIATE SHAFT

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - STEERING
COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT

The steering column (to steering gear) intermedi-

ate shaft has an integrated lower coupler with uni-
versal joint. The entire assembly MUST be replaced
whenever any of the following conditions exist.

• Whenever a vehicle is involved in a collision

which deploys the airbag, regardless of the extent of
damage done to the vehicle.

• If a vehicle is involved in an impact of the vehi-

cle’s front suspension or undercarriage, which results
in any type of damage to the front crossmember.

• Under any conditions which result in the steer-

ing column assembly or steering column shaft receiv-
ing a force great enough to move the steering column
or shaft forward or rearward in the vehicle.

Inspect the intermediate shaft and integrated cou-

pler for the following conditions:

• Seized bearing

• Loose bearing stake

• Bearing not seated properly
The steering column intermediate shaft MUST be

replaced as an entire assembly if a problem condition
is found.

KEY/LOCK CYLINDER

DESCRIPTION

The lock cylinder is inserted in the end of the

housing opposite the ignition switch.

OPERATION

The ignition key rotates the cylinder to 5 different

detents (Fig. 35) :

• Accessory

• Off (lock)

• Unlock

• On/Run

• Start

REMOVAL

The lock cylinder is inserted in the end of the

housing opposite the ignition switch. The ignition key
rotates the cylinder to 5 different detents:

(1) Disconnect negative cable from battery.

(2) Remove the tilt lever attaching screw. Remove

lever.

(3) Remove the upper and lower covers from the

steering column.

(4) Turn the ignition key to the run position. When

ignition switch is in the run position, the lock cylin-
der retaining tab will depress.

(5) Depress tab and slide lock cylinder out of hous-

ing (Fig. 36).

Fig. 35 IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER DETENTS

Fig. 36 Lock Cylinder Removal

1 - TAB
2 - KEY IN RUN POSITION

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COLUMN

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INSTALLATION

The lock cylinder is inserted in the end of the

housing opposite the ignition switch. The ignition key
rotates the cylinder to 5 different detents:

(1) Install key in lock cylinder. Turn key to run

position (retaining tab on lock cylinder can be
depressed).

(2) The shaft at the end of the lock cylinder aligns

with the socket in the end of the housing. To align
the socket with the lock cylinder, ensure the socket is
in the Run position (Fig. 37).

(3) Align the lock cylinder with the grooves in the

housing. Slide the lock cylinder into the housing
until the tab sticks through the opening in the hous-
ing (Fig. 38).

(4) Turn key to Off position. Remove key.
(5) If the vehicle has column shift and a new lock

cylinder was used, install and adjust a new interlock
cassette. Refer to Ignition Interlock in this section. If
the vehicle has a floor shift, adjust the interlock
cable when the lock cylinder is replaced. Refer to the
Floor Shift Interlock Adjustment procedure in the
Transmission section..

(6) Install upper and lower cover on steering col-

umn.

(7) Install tilt lever.
(8) Connect negative cable to battery.

LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING

REMOVAL

(1) Disconnect remote battery ground cable at

right strut tower and isolate.

(2) Remove tilt lever, upper and lower steering col-

umn shrouds. (Refer to 19 - STEERING/COLUMN/
LOWER SHROUD - REMOVAL)

(3) If equipped with Sentry Key Imobilizer System,

remove SKIM. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELEC-
TRONIC

CONTROL

MODULES/SENTRY

KEY

IMMOBILIZER MODULE - REMOVAL)

(4) Remove and discard shift interlock cassette.
(5) Remove nut securing wiring harness in place

on left side of column.

(6) Remove two multifunction switch mounting

screws (Fig. 39).

Fig. 37 Socket in Lock Cylinder Housing

1 - LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING
2 - SOCKET IN RUN POSITION

Fig. 38 Lock Cylinder Installation

1 - LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING
2 - LOCK CYLINDER
3 - TAB

Fig. 39 Multi-Function Switch

1 - MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH
2 - MOUNTING SCREW
3 - WIRING HARNESS
4 - STEERING COLUMN
5 - MOUNTING SCREW

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COLUMN

LH

KEY/LOCK CYLINDER (Continued)

(7) Lift off multifunction switch, then disconnect

two wiring connectors and remove switch.

(8) Remove two torx-head screws securing ignition

switch in place (Fig. 40). Remove switch from col-
umn. allow switch to hang by wiring harness.

(9) Remove two torx head screws securing lock cyl-

inder housing to column (Fig. 41).

(10) Remove lock cylinder housing from steering

column.

INSTALLATION

(1) Position new lock cylinder housing on steering

column (Fig. 41).

NOTE: In order to correctly seat the lock cylinder
housing to the steering column, the right side
mounting screw (from drivers’ in-vehicle position)
must be seated and tightened first as outlined in
the following steps.

(2) Install and tighten new right side mounting

screw to 10 N·m (89 in. lbs.) torque.

(3) Install and tighten new left side mounting

screw to 10 N·m (89 in. lbs.) torque.

(4) Install ignition switch. (Refer to 19 - STEER-

ING/COLUMN/IGNITION SWITCH - INSTALLA-
TION)

(5) Install multi-function switch. (Refer to 8 -

ELECTRICAL/LAMPS/LIGHTING

-

EXTERIOR/

MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH - INSTALLATION)

(6) Attach wiring harness in place on left side of

column using nut.

(7) Install a new shift interlock cassette. If the

vehicle has a floor shift, reconnect and adjust the
shift cable as necessary.

(8) If equipped with Sentry Key Imobilizer System,

install SKIM. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELEC-
TRONIC

CONTROL

MODULES/SENTRY

KEY

IMMOBILIZER MODULE - INSTALLATION)

(9) Install

upper

and

lower

steering

column

shrouds, and tilt lever. (Refer to 19 - STEERING/
COLUMN/LOWER SHROUD - INSTALLATION)

(10) Connect remote battery ground cable to stud

at right strut tower.

(11) Check operation of key cylinder, lock housing

and ignition switch.

Fig. 40 Ignition Switch Mounting Screws

1 - IGNITION SWITCH
2 - MOUNTING SCREW
3 - STEERING COLUMN
4 - MOUNTING SCREW
5 - MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH

Fig. 41 Lock Cylinder Housing Mounting

1 - SCREWS
2 - STEERING COLUMN
3 - LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING

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LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING (Continued)

SHROUD - LOWER

REMOVAL

(1) Remove the fuse panel cover from the left end

of the instrument panel (Fig. 42).

(2) Remove the 2 screws behind the fuse panel

cover attaching the lower instrument panel cover to
the instrument panel (Fig. 43).

(3) Remove the lower instrument panel cover. The

lower instrument panel cover is attached with retain-
ing clips along the top and right edge.

(4) Remove the wiring harness connector from the

trunk release switch in the lower instrument panel
cover (Fig. 44).

(5) Remove the parking brake release cable from

the park brake release handle in the lower instru-
ment panel cover (Fig. 45). Lay the cover and handle
out of the way

CAUTION: The upper shroud is retained to the
steering column by a snap fit to the lower shroud.
When removing the upper shroud from the lower
shroud, DO NOT use a hard or sharp tool. This will
damage the shrouds. If a tool must be used, use a
soft tool such as a trim stick.

Fig. 42 Fuse Panel Cover

1 - FUSE PANEL COVER
2 - INSTRUMENT PANEL

Fig. 43 Lower Instrument Panel Cover Mounting

Screws

1 - MOUNTING SCREWS
2 - INSTRUMENT PANEL BRACKET
3 - LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL COVER

Fig. 44 Trunk Release Wiring

1 - WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR
2 - TRUNK RELEASE SWITCH
3 - LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL COVER

Fig. 45 Park Brake Release Cable

1 - PARK BRAKE RELEASE CABLE
2 - PARK BRAKE RELEASE HANDLE
3 - LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL COVER

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COLUMN

LH