Steering Wheel: Service and Repair

REMOVAL

CAUTION:
- All SRS wire harnesses are covered with yellow insulation. Before you disconnect any part of an SRS wire harness, disconnect the airbag connectors.
- Whenever the ignition switch is ON (II), or has been turned OFF for less than three minutes, be careful not to bump the SRS unit; the airbags could accidentally deploy and cause damage or injuries.

1. Disconnect the battery negative cable, then disconnect positive cable.





2. Remove the access panel from the steering wheel lower cover.
3. Disconnect the connector between the airbag and cable reel.





NOTE: Some SRS system connectors have a spring loaded lock.
To release the lock, pull the spring-loaded sleeve toward the stop. Then pull the connector halves apart.
Be sure to pull on the sleeve and not on the connector half itself.

5. Remove the lid B and cruise control set/resume switch cover.





6. Remove the TORX bolts then, remove the airbag assembly.





7. Disconnect the connectors from the horn and cruise control set/resume switches.
8. Remove the steering wheel nut.





9. Remove the steering wheel by rocking it slightly from side-to-side as you pull steadily with both hands.





DISASSEMBLY / REASSEMBLY

WARNING: Store a removed airbag assembly with the pad surface up. If the airbag is improperly stored face down, accidental deployment could propel the unit with enough force to cause serious injury.

NOTE: If an intact airbag assembly has been removed from a scrapped car or has been found defective or damaged during transit, storage or service, it should be deployed.

CAUTION:
- Carefully inspect the airbag assembly before installing.
- Do not install an airbag assembly that shows signs of being dropped or improperly handled, such as dents, cracks or deformation. Do not disassemble or tamper with the airbag assembly.

INSTALLATION

CAUTION:
- Before installing the steering wheel, align the front wheels straight ahead.
- Be sure to install the harness wires so that they are not pinched or interfering with other car parts.
- Do not replace the original steering wheel with any other design, since it will make it impossible to properly install the airbag. (Only use genuine Acura replacement parts)
- After reassembly, confirm that the wheels are still straight ahead and that steering wheel spoke angle is correct. If minor spoke angle adjustment is necessary, do so only by adjustment of the tie-rods, not by removing and repositioning the steering wheel.

WARNING: Confirm that the airbag assembly is securely attached to the steering wheel; otherwise, severe personal injury could result during airbag deployment.





1. Before installing the steering wheel, center the cable reel. Do this by first rotating the cable reel clockwise until it stops. Then rotate it counterclockwise (approximately two turns) until. The arrow make on the cable reel label points straight up.
2. Install the steering wheel.





NOTE: Be sure the steering wheel shaft engages the cable reel and canceling sleeve.

CAUTION: Do not tap on the steering wheel or steering column shaft when installing the steering wheel.

3. Attach the cruise control set/resume switches connector to the steering wheel clip.





4. Connect the horn connector.





5. Install the airbag assembly with new Torx bolts, and install the covers.





6. Hold the pawl side connector half, and press on the back of the sleeve-side connector half in the direction shown. As the two connector halves are pressed together, the sleeve is pushed back by the pawl.

NOTE: Do not touch the sleeve.





7. When the connector halves are completely connected, the pawl is released, and the spring-loaded sleeve locks the connector.





8. Attach the connector in the holder, then install the access panel on the steering wheel lower cover.
9. Connect the positive cable first, then the negative cable to the battery.
10. After installing the airbag assembly, confirm proper system operation:
- Turn the ignition switch ON (II); the instrument panel SRS indicator light should come on for about six seconds and then go off.
- Confirm operation of horn buttons.
- Confirm operation of cruise control set/resume switches.