Dodge Neon / Neon SRT-4. Manual — part 108

OPERATION

See the owner’s manual in the vehicle glove box for

more information on the proper use of all of the fac-
tory-installed child restraint anchors.

REMOVAL

(1) Open Child Tether Assembly Cap Cover to the

full open position (Fig. 8).

(2) Pull cover upward until cover detaches from

cap.

INSTALLATION

(1) Place Child Tether Assembly Cap Cover into

position in the cap (Fig. 8).

(2) Push downward on Child Tether Assembly Cap

Cover till it locks into position (will hear part click
into position)

CLOCKSPRING

DESCRIPTION

The clock spring is mounted to the steering column

behind the steering wheel (Fig. 9). The clock spring
is used to maintain a continuous electrical circuit
between the wiring harness and the:

• Driver Airbag.

• Speed Control Switch.

• Horn Switch.

OPERATION

The clockspring consists of a flat, ribbon like, elec-

trically conductive tape which winds and unwinds
with the steering wheel rotation.

Fig. 7 CHILD TETHER ASSEMBLY CAP

1 - CHILD TETHER ASSEMBLY CAP AND COVER

Fig. 8 CHILD TETHER ASSEMBLY CAP

1 - Cap cover

Fig. 9 CLOCK SPRING

1 - LOCKING PIN
2 - DRIVER AIRBAG WIRE/CONNECTOR
3 - HORN WIRE/CONNECTOR
4 - SPEED CONTROL WIRE/CONNECTOR

8O - 8

RESTRAINTS

PL/SRT-4

CHILD TETHER CUP (Continued)

STANDARD PROCEDURE - CLOCK SPRING
CENTERING

If the rotating tape within the clock spring is not

positioned properly with the steering wheel and the
front wheels, the clock spring may fail during use.
The following procedure MUST BE USED to center
the clock spring if:

• The clock spring is not known to be properly

positioned.

• The front wheels were moved.

• The steering wheel was moved from the half

turn (180 degrees) to the right (clockwise) position.

(1) Remove

clock

spring.

Refer

to

Electrical,

Restraints, Clock Spring, Removal.

(2) Rotate the clock spring rotor in the CLOCK-

WISE DIRECTION to the end of travel. Do not
apply excessive torque.

(3) From the end of travel, rotate the rotor three

full turns in the counterclockwise direction. The horn
wire and the squib wire should end up at the bottom.
If not, rotate the rotor counter clockwise until the
wires are properly orientated, but not more than half
turn (180 degrees). Engage clock spring locking
mechanism.

(4) Install the clock spring. Refer to Electrical,

Restraints, Clock Spring, Installation.

WARNING: DO NOT CONNECT THE BATTERY NEG-
ATIVE

CABLE.

REFER

TO

ELECTRICAL,

RESTRAINTS, DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - AIRBAG
SYSTEM

FIRST.

FAILURE

TO

DO

SO

COULD

RESULT IN OCCUPANT PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH.

REMOVAL

(1) Place the front road wheels in the straight

ahead position then:

(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative

cable.

(3) Wait two minutes for the system reserve capac-

itor to discharge before servicing any airbag compo-
nents.

(4) Remove steering wheel. Refer to Steering, Col-

umn, Steering Wheel, Removal.

(5) Remove upper and lower steering column

shrouds to gain access to clock spring wiring. Refer
to Steering, Column, Upper Shroud Removal.

(6) Remove multi-function switch. Refer to Electri-

cal,

Lamps/Lighting

-

Exterior,

Multi-Function

Switch, Removal.

(7) Disconnect the 7-way connector between the

clock spring and the instrument panel wiring har-
ness at the base of the clock spring.

(8) Remove clock spring by lifting the top latch tab

up slightly to guide it over the lock housing (Fig. 10).

The clock spring cannot be repaired, and must be
replaced if faulty.

(9) Rotate clock spring rotor a half turn (180

degrees) to the left (counter clockwise).

(10) Lock the clock spring rotor in the center posi-

tion as follows: Insert a paper clip wire through the
hole in the rotor at the 10 O’clock position and bend
to prevent it from falling out.

INSTALLATION

• When reusing the clock spring, Locate the clock

spring on the steering shaft and push down on the
rotor until the clock spring is fully seated on the
steering column (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RE-
STRAINTS/CLOCK SPRING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE - CLOCK SPRING CENTERING).

• When installing a new clock spring, position the

front wheels straight a head. Remove locking pin
(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCK
SPRING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - CLOCK
SPRING CENTERING).

(1) Connect the clock spring to the instrument

panel harness, ensure wiring is properly routed.
Then check that the connectors and locking tabs are
properly engaged.

(2) Install the multi-function switch (Refer to 8 -

ELECTRICAL/LAMPS/LIGHTING

-

EXTERIOR/

MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH - INSTALLATION).

(3) Install steering column shrouds. Be sure all

wires are inside of shrouds (Refer to 19 - STEERING/
COLUMN/UPPER SHROUD - INSTALLATION).

(4) Install steering wheel ensuring the flats on hub

align with the clock spring. Feed the horn, airbag
and speed control wires through the bottom slot.
Ensure wires do not get pinched under the steering
wheel.

(5) Connect the speed control wire to the switch.

Fig. 10 CLOCK SPRING LATCH HOOKS

1 - CLOCK SPRING
2 - LATCH HOOKS
3 - STEERING COLUMN

PL/SRT-4

RESTRAINTS

8O - 9

CLOCKSPRING (Continued)

(6) Connect the horn connector and the airbag

squib connector to the driver airbag.

(7) Install steering wheel (Refer to 19 - STEER-

ING/COLUMN/STEERING WHEEL - INSTALLA-
TION).

(8) Install the driver airbag and tighten bolts to 12

to 14 N·m (105 to 125 in. lbs.) torque.

WARNING: DO NOT CONNECT THE BATTERY NEG-
ATIVE

CABLE.

REFER

TO

ELECTRICAL,

RESTRAINTS, DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - AIRBAG
SYSTEM

FIRST.

FAILURE

TO

DO

SO

COULD

RESULT IN OCCUPANT PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH.

DRIVER AIRBAG

DESCRIPTION

The driver airbag protective trim cover is the most

visible part of the driver airbag system (Fig. 11). The
driver airbag is mounted directly to the steering
wheel. Located under the airbag trim cover are the
horn switch, the folded airbag cushion, and the air-
bag cushion supporting components. The resistive
membrane-type horn switch is secured within a plas-
tic tray between the driver airbag cover and the
backer plate which is heat staked on to the driver
airbag cover.

The driver airbag cannot be repaired, and must be

replaced if deployed or in any way damaged. The
horn switch, located underneath the driver airbag
trim cover, is available for service replacement.

OPERATION

The driver airbag includes a stamped metal hous-

ing to which the cushion and an inflator unit are
attached and sealed. The conventional pyrotechnic-
type inflator assembly is mounted to studs on the
back of the airbag module housing. The inflator seals
the hole in the airbag cushion so it can discharge the
gas it produces directly into the cushion when sup-
plied with the proper electrical signal. Following an
airbag

deployment,

the

airbag

cushion

quickly

deflates by venting this gas towards the instrument
panel through the porous fabric material used on the
steering wheel side of the airbag cushion.

The protective trim cover is fitted to the front of

the airbag and forms a decorative cover in the center
of the steering wheel. The inside of the trim cover
has locking blocks molded into it that engage a lip on
the

airbag

metal

housing.

One

stamped

metal

retainer is fit over the inflator mounting studs. On
the back of the airbag housing the stamped steel
retainer is engaged in slots on the inside of the cover,
securely locking the trim cover into place. The trim
cover will split at predetermined breakout lines, then
fold back out of the way along with the horn switch
and tray unit upon airbag deployment.

REMOVAL

CAUTION: When removing a deployed airbag, rub-
ber gloves, eye protection and long sleeved shirt
should be worn, as there may be deposits on the
surface which could irritate the skin and eyes.

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative

cable.

(2) Wait two minutes for the system reserve capac-

itor to discharge before servicing any airbag compo-
nents.

(3) Remove two bolts attaching Driver Airbag to

the steering wheel.

(4) Lift airbag and disconnect airbag squib wire

connector and horn wire (Fig. 12).

(5) Remove Driver Airbag from vehicle.

WARNING:

WHEN

REPLACING

A

DEPLOYED

DRIVER AIRBAG, THE CLOCK SPRING MUST ALSO
BE REPLACED (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RE-
STRAINTS/CLOCK SPRING - REMOVAL). FAILURE
TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT PER-
SONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

INSTALLATION

(1) Connect the airbag squib wire to the driver air-

bag. Make airbag connection by pressing straight in
on the connector. The connector should be fully

Fig. 11 DRIVER AIRBAG

8O - 10

RESTRAINTS

PL/SRT-4

CLOCKSPRING (Continued)

seated. Feel for positive snap to assure positive con-
nection.

(2) Connect the horn wire.
(3) Place driver airbag into steering wheel airbag

cavity.

(4) Install two bolts and tighten to 10 to 11 N·m

(90 to 100 in. lbs.) torque.

WARNING: DO NOT CONNECT THE BATTERY NEG-
ATIVE

CABLE.

REFER

TO

ELECTRICAL,

RESTRAINTS, DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - AIRBAG
SYSTEM

FIRST.

FAILURE

TO

DO

SO

COULD

RESULT IN OCCUPANT PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH.

Fig. 12 DRIVER AIRBAG - REMOVE/INSTALL

1 - AIRBAG RETAINING BOLTS

4 - DRIVER AIRBAG

2 - SPEED CONTROL SWITCH CONNECTOR

5 - HORN SWITCH CONNECTOR

3 - AIRBAG SQUIB CONNECTOR

PL/SRT-4

RESTRAINTS

8O - 11

DRIVER AIRBAG (Continued)