Dodge Neon / Neon SRT-4. Manual — part 296

(2) Install the steering column into steering col-

umn access opening in the lower instrument panel.

(3) If the vehicle is equipped with a SKIM, Con-

nect its wiring harness electrical connector (Fig. 10).

(4) Connect the wiring harness electrical connec-

tors to the multi-function switch, windshield wiper
switch, and ignition switch (Fig. 9).

(5) Connect the wiring harness electrical connector

to the clockspring (Fig. 8).

(6) Align the slots in the mounting brackets on the

steering column with the studs in the instrument
panel (Fig. 7) Attach the column to the instrument
panel by first installing the two upper mounting nuts
(Do not completely tighten the two upper mounting
nuts at this time). Next, install the two lower mount-
ing nuts. Tighten all four mounting nuts to a torque
of 17 N·m (150 in. lbs.).

(7) If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic

transaxle, connect the automatic transaxle ignition
interlock cable to the steering column by pushing the
end of the cable into the back side of the ignition cyl-
inder housing until it snaps into place (Fig. 6).

(8) Position the steering column shaft in the cor-

rect position for mounting to the lower coupling. To
do this, turn the steering wheel end of the shaft until
the missing spline area on that end of the shaft faces
straight up.

(9) Verify the front wheels of vehicle are in the

STRAIGHT-AHEAD position.

NOTE: Do not tighten the coupling pinch bolt any-
time the vehicle is not at curb riding height. It may
cause unwanted conditions within the steering col-
umn if the vehicle is suspended in any manner
when the pinch bolt is tightened.

(10) Place the steering column in the full

tilt-up position, then reconnect the steering column
lower coupling to the steering column upper coupling
(Fig. 5). Install the coupling pinch bolt an tighten the
pinch bolt nut to a torque of 28 N·m (250 in. lbs.).
Install the pinch bolt retainer pin.

(11) Install the upper and lower steering column

shrouds onto the steering column (Fig. 4). Snap the
two shrouds together and then install and tighten
the two screws securing the shrouds to the column.

(12) Install the steering column cover that mounts

below the steering column on the instrument panel
by first aligning the retainer clips and snapping the
cover into place. Install the two screws along the bot-
tom of the steering column cover.

(13) Align the clips along the outer edge of the

instrument cluster bezel with the mounting holes in
the instrument panel and install the bezel.

(14) Align the clips on the bottom of the instru-

ment panel top cover with the mounting holes in the

instrument panel and install the top cover by push-
ing it down into place.

(15) Install the screw securing the left end of the

top cover to the instrument panel.

CAUTION: If there is any question as to whether the
clockspring is in the centered position, the clock
spring needs to be recentered before installing the
steering wheel. If the clockspring is not centered, it
may be overextended, causing the clockspring to
become inoperative.

(16) Center the clockspring using the following

procedure:

• Using your fingers, rotate the clockspring rotor

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

• From the end of travel, rotate the rotor two full

turns and an additional half turn in the counter-
clockwise direction. (The wires should end up at the
bottom of the clockspring).

CAUTION: Do not install the steering wheel onto the
shaft of the steering column by driving it onto the
shaft.

(17) Feed the clockspring wiring leads through the

hole in the steering wheel (Fig. 3). Align the steering
wheel’s wide mounting spline with the steering col-
umn shaft missing spline area and push the wheel
onto the shaft. Make sure the clockspring squares up
with the back of the wheel and does not bind.

(18) Install the steering wheel retaining screw and

tighten it until the steering wheel is fully installed
on shaft. Tighten the retaining screw to a torque of
54.2 N·m (40 ft. lbs.).

(19) If equipped with speed control, connect the

wiring lead from the clockspring to the speed control
switch on the steering wheel (Fig. 2).

(20) Position the driver airbag near the steering

wheel (Fig. 2). Connect the horn switch wiring lead
to the connector on the back of the airbag.

(21) Install the airbag squib wiring lead from the

clockspring into the connector on the back of the
driver airbag (Fig. 2). Be sure the wiring connector is
securely latched into the airbag connector.

CAUTION: The fasteners originally used for the air-
bag components are specifically designed for the
airbag system. They must never be replaced with
any substitutes. Anytime a new fastener is needed,
replace it with only the correct fastener listed in the
parts book.

(22) Install the driver airbag into the center of the

steering wheel. Align the airbag mounting holes with
the bolt holes in the steering wheel (Fig. 2). Install

19 - 16

COLUMN

PL/SRT-4

COLUMN (Continued)

only the two original or identical replacement airbag
module mounting screws. Tighten the two driver air-
bag attaching bolts to a torque of 10 N·m (90 in. lbs.).

NOTE: When reconnecting the battery on a vehicle
that has had the airbag module removed, the fol-
lowing procedure should be used.

(23) Reconnect the ground cable to the negative

post of the battery in the following manor:

• Connect a scan tool (DRBIIIt) to the data link

diagnostic connector located below the steering col-
umn.

• Turn the ignition key to the ON position. Exit

the vehicle with the scan tool leaving the scan tool
harness plugged in.

• Ensuring that there are no occupants in the

vehicle, connect the ground (-) cable to the negative
post of the battery.

• Using the scan tool, read and record any fault

codes. Refer to the Appropriate Diagnostic Informa-
tion if any faults are found.

• Erase any stored faults if there are no active

fault codes. If a problem exists, the fault code will
not erase.

• Reach around the back of the steering wheel (in

front of the instrument cluster) and turn the ignition
key to OFF, then back ON while observing the
instrument cluster airbag lamp. It should go on for
six to eight seconds, then go out. This will indicate
that the airbag system is functioning normally. If air-
bag warning lamp fails to light, blinks on and off, or
goes on and stays on, there is an airbag system mal-
function. Refer to the Appropriate Diagnostic Infor-
mation to diagnose the system malfunction.

(24) Turn the key to OFF and remove the scan tool

from the vehicle.

(25) Test the operation of the horn, wipers and any

other functions that are steering column operated. If
applicable, reset the radio and the clock.

(26) Verify the tilt mechanism operates properly.
(27) Road test the vehicle to ensure proper opera-

tion of the steering system and the speed control sys-
tem.

INSTALLATION - RHD

Right-Hand-Drive steering column is typical of

Left-Hand-Drive. (Refer to 19 - STEERING/COL-
UMN - INSTALLATION - LHD)

SPECIFICATIONS - STEERING COLUMN
FASTENER TORQUE

DESCRIPTION

N·m

Ft.

Lbs.

In.

Lbs.

Airbag Mounting Screws

10

—

90

Coupling Pinch Bolt

28

21

250

SKIM Mounting Screws

3

—

25

Speed Control Switch
Screws

2

—

20

Steering Column Mounting
Nuts

17

—

150

Steering Wheel Retaining
Screw

54

40

—

IGNITION SWITCH

REMOVAL

The ignition switch attaches to the lock cylinder

housing on the end opposite the lock cylinder (Fig.
15). For ignition switch terminal and circuit identifi-
cation, refer to the Wiring Diagrams sections.

(1) Disconnect negative cable from battery.
(2) Place key cylinder in RUN position. Through

the hole in the lower shroud, depress lock cylinder
retaining tab and remove key cylinder (Fig. 16).

(3) Remove upper and lower shrouds from steering

column.

(4) Disconnect electrical connectors from ignition

switch.

Fig. 15 Ignition Switch—Viewed From Below

Column

1 - IGNITION SWITCH
2 - LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING
3 - RETAINING TABS

PL/SRT-4

COLUMN

19 - 17

COLUMN (Continued)

(5) Remove ignition switch mounting screw (Fig.

17) with a #10 Torx

t bit.

(6) Depress retaining tabs (Fig. 18) and pull igni-

tion switch from steering column.

INSTALLATION

(1) Ensure the ignition switch is in the RUN posi-

tion and the actuator shaft in the lock housing is in
the RUN position.

(2) Carefully

install

the

ignition

switch.

The

switch will snap over the retaining tabs (Fig. 19).
Install mounting screw (Fig. 17).

(3) Install electrical connectors to ignition switch.
(4) Install upper and lower shrouds.
(5) Install key cylinder (cylinder retaining tab will

depress only in the RUN position).

(6) Connect negative cable to battery.

(7) Check for proper operation of ignition switch

and key-in warning switch.

KEY/LOCK CYLINDER

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 detentes (Fig. 20) :

• Accessory

• Off (lock)

• Unlock

• On/Run

• Start

Fig. 16 Steering Column Shrouds

1 - SCREW ACCESS HOLE
2 - TAB ACCESS HOLE
3 - LOWER SHROUD

Fig. 17 Ignition Switch Mounting Screw

1 - MOUNTING SCREW
2 - IGNITION SWITCH

Fig. 18 Removing Ignition Switch

1 - DEPRESS RETAINING TABS
2 - IGNITION SWITCH

Fig. 19 Ignition Switch Installation

1 - LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING
2 - SHAFT

19 - 18

COLUMN

PL/SRT-4

IGNITION SWITCH (Continued)

(1) Disconnect negative cable from battery.
(2) Place key cylinder in RUN position. Through

the hole in the lower shroud, depress lock cylinder
retaining tab and remove key cylinder.

INSTALLATION

(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. 21).

(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.

(4) Turn the key to the OFF position. Remove the

key.

(5) Connect negative cable to battery.

STEERING COUPLING -
LOWER

DESCRIPTION

This vehicle uses a corrugated design lower cou-

pling to connect the steering column to the steering
gear (Fig. 22).

This coupling has a hollow corrugated tube that

allows the coupling to bend rather than collapse
when a vehicle is involved in a collision.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - STEERING
COLUMN LOWER COUPLING

The steering column coupling must be inspected

whenever a vehicle is involved in an impact or when-
ever any of the following conditions exist:

• whenever a vehicle is involved in a collision

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

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

cles front suspension or under carriage, which results
in any type of damage to the front suspension cross-
member.

• 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 a vehicle.

Fig. 20 Ignition Lock Cylinder Detentes

Fig. 21 Socket in Lock Cylinder Housing

1 - LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING
2 - SOCKET

Fig. 22 Steering Column Lower Coupling

1 - FLEX JOINT
2 - SEAL COLLAR SEALING SURFACE
3 - TO STEERING COLUMN
4 - CORRUGAGATED TUBE SECTION
5 - TO STEERING GEAR

PL/SRT-4

COLUMN

19 - 19

KEY/LOCK CYLINDER (Continued)