Dodge Nitro. Manual — part 237

Fig. 36: Identifying Driver Airbag, Lower Airbag Snap Retainer Wire Loop, Electrical Connections &
Airbag Inflator
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

1. Position the driver airbag (1) close enough to the steering wheel to reconnect the electrical connections

diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground)
cable, 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 driver airbag, or becoming entrapped between
the driver airbag cushion and the driver airbag trim cover. Failure to
observe this warning could result in occupant injuries upon airbag
deployment.

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury, the driver airbag trim cover must never be
painted. Replacement airbags are serviced with trim covers in the original
colors. Paint may change the way in which the material of the trim 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 driver
airbag. If the airbag is ineffective or damaged, but not deployed, review the
recommended procedures for handling non-deployed supplemental restraints.
See HANDLING NON-DEPLOYED SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINTS. If the driver
airbag has been deployed, review the recommended procedures for service
after a supplemental restraint deployment before removing the airbag from the
vehicle.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

(4) to the back of the airbag housing.

2. When installing the driver airbag, reconnect the two clockspring driver airbag pigtail wire connectors to

the airbag inflator (5) connector receptacles by pressing straight in on the connectors, then push the locks
straight into the connectors. Be certain to engage each keyed and color-coded connector to the matching
connector receptacle.

3. Carefully position the driver airbag into the steering wheel hub. Be certain that the clockspring pigtail

wires are not pinched between the driver airbag and the horn switch or the steering wheel armature.

4. Engage the lower airbag snap retainer wire loop (3) onto the lower hook of the steering wheel armature.

The lower snap retainer wire loop has a distinctive V-shape and must always be installed onto the six
o'clock hook of the steering wheel armature.

Fig. 37: Identifying Electrical Connections, Hook, Driver Airbag, Snap Retainer Wire Loop &
Steering Wheel
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

5. Roll the driver airbag (3) upwards and press firmly and evenly over the two upper snap retainer wire loop

(4) locations simultaneously until they snap into place over the two upper hooks (2) of the steering wheel
armature.

6. Do not reconnect the battery negative cable at this time. The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)

verification test procedure should be performed following service of any SRS component. See
VERIFICATION TEST - SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM.

IMPACT SENSOR

DESCRIPTION

FRONT IMPACT SENSOR

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

Fig. 38: Impact Sensor Components
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

Two front impact sensors (1) are used on this vehicle, one each for the left and right sides of the vehicle. These
sensors are mounted remotely from the impact sensor that is internal to the Occupant Restraint Controller
(ORC). Each front sensor is secured with a nut to a stud on the back of the front end module carrier on either
side of the cooling module, below and inboard of the front park/turn signal lamp socket within the engine
compartment. The sensor housing has an integral connector receptacle (4), an integral anti-rotation pin (3), and
an integral mounting hole (2) with a metal sleeve to provide crush protection.

The right and left front impact sensors are identical in construction and calibration. A cavity in the center of the
molded black plastic impact sensor housing contains the electronic circuitry of the sensor which includes an
electronic communication chip and an electronic impact sensor. A nylon cover is laser-welded over the cavity to
seal and protect the internal electronic circuitry and components. The front impact sensors are each connected to
the vehicle electrical system through a short jumper wire harness to a dedicated take out and connector of the
body wire harness.

The impact sensors cannot be repaired or adjusted and, if damaged or ineffective, they must be replaced.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

SIDE IMPACT SENSOR

Fig. 39: Impact Sensor Components
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

Two side impact sensors (1) are used on this vehicle when it is equipped with the side curtain airbags, two each
for the left and right sides of the vehicle. These sensors are mounted remotely from the impact sensor that is
internal to the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). Each side sensor is secured with a nut to a stud on the
inner right or left B-pillar above the front seat belt retractor, or to a stud on the right or left inner C-pillar just
forward of the second row outboard seat belt retractor within the passenger compartment. The sensor housing
has an integral connector receptacle (4), an integral anti-rotation pin (3), and an integral mounting hole (2) with
a metal sleeve to provide crush protection.

The right and left side impact sensors are identical in construction and calibration. A cavity in the center of the
molded black plastic impact sensor housing contains the electronic circuitry of the sensor which includes an
electronic communication chip and an electronic impact sensor. A nylon cover is laser-welded over the cavity to
seal and protect the internal electronic circuitry and components. The side impact sensors are each connected to
the vehicle electrical system through a dedicated take out and connector of the body wire harness.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro