Upper Column Components

Upper Column Includes:
Disabling the SIR System
Enabling the SIR System
SIR Coil Assembly
Shaft Lock
Turn Signal Canceling Cam Assembly
Upper Bearing Spring
Upper Bearing Inner Race Seat
Inner Race
Column Housing Cover End Cap
Pivot and (Pulse-Dimmer) Switch Assembly
Turn Signal Switch Assembly
Buzzer Switch Assembly
Steering Column Pass Key Lock Cylinder Set
Tilt Spring Assembly
Center SIR Coil Assembly

Tools Required:
- J 23653 SIR Lock Plate Compressor
- J 39246 Tilt Spring Compressor

Caution: When Performing service on or around SIR components or SIR wiring, follow the procedures listed below to temporarily disable the SIR System. Failure to follow procedures could result in possible air bag deployment, personal injury, or otherwise unneeded SIR system repairs.

The SDM can maintain sufficient voltage to cause a deployment for up to 10 seconds after the ignition switch is turned off, the battery is disconnected, or the fuse powering the SDM is removed. Many of the service procedures require removal of the AIR BAG #1 fuse and disconnection of the deployment loops to avoid an accidental deployment.

Disableing the SIR System

Remove of Disconnect

- Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle's wheel are pointing straight ahead.
- Turn ignition switch to LOCK and remove key.
1. "AIR BAG #1" fuse from I/P fuse block.
2. Lower trim panel, left hand.
3. Connector Position Assurance (CPA) and yellow 2 way SIR connector at the base of the steering column.
4. I/P compartment door assembly, to access connector.
5. Connector Position Assurance (CPA) and yellow 2 way connector behind I/P compartment door assembly.

Important: With the "AIR BAG #1" fuse removed and ignition switch ON the "INFLATABLE RESTRAINT" warning lamp with be ON. This is normal operation and does not indicate an SIR system malfunction.

Enabling the SIR System

Install or Connect

- Turn ignition switch to LOCK and remove key.
1. Yellow 2 way SIR connector and Connector Position Assurance (CPA) behind I/P compartment door assembly.
2. I/P compartment door assembly.
3. Yellow 2 way connector and Connector Position Assurance (CPA) at the base of the steering column.
4. Lower trim panel, left hand.
5. "AIR BAG #1" fuse to I/P fuse block.
- Turn ignition switch to "RUN" and verify that "INFLATABLE RESTRAINT" warning lamp flashes 7 times then turns off. If it does not operate as described, perform the SIR Diagnostic System Check.

Important: Before doing any service procedures, disabling the SIR system and removal of Inflator Module and Steering Wheel is needed. Columns equipped with Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) and Redundant Steering Wheel Control (RSWC) will have Inflatable Restraint coils with two wire leads. SIR wire leads are yellow with a yellow connector shroud. RSWC wire leads are grey with black connectors.

Remove or Disconnect
Figures 1 through 11 and 15

Figure 1 - Tilt Steering Column:

Figure 2 - Tilt Steering Column Legend:

Figure 3 - Removing SIR Coil Assembly Off Shaft:

Figure 4 - Removing Shaft Lock Retaining Ring:

Figure 5 - Removing Components From Upper Shaft:

Figure 6 - Removing Housing Cover End Cap:

Figure 7 - Removing Pivot & (Pulse-Dimmer) Switch:

Figure 8 - Removing Turn Signal Switch:

Figure 9 - Removing SIR Coil Assembly:

Figure 10 - Lock Housing Cover Screw Positions:

Figure 11 - Removing Tilt Spring Assembly:

Figure 15 - Centering SIR Coil Assembly:

Notice: Place ignition to LOCK position to prevent uncentering coil assembly (3).

1. Disable the SIR system.
2. Negative battery cable.
3. SIR coil assembly retaining ring (2).
4. SIR coil assembly (3).
- Let coil hang freely if removal is not needed.
- To remove coil (3), do remaining steps 5 through 7 and 20.
5. Wave washer (4).
6. Shaft lock retaining ring (6) using J 23653 SIR to push down shaft lock (7).
- Dispose of ring (6).
7. Shaft lock (7.).
8. Turn signal cancelling cam assembly (8).
9. Upper bearing spring (9).
10. Upper bearing inner race seat (10).
11. Inner race (11).
12. Multi-Function lever.
- Make sure lever is in center of OFF position.
- Electrical connection behind lever.
- Lever by pulling straight out.
13. Housing cover end cap (23).
- Using fingers pry up and out at location shown. Tilt end cap away from lock housing cover and sleeve assembly (22) and remove (see figure 6).
14. Round washer head screw (12) and flat head screw (13).
15. Pivot and (pulse-dimmer) switch assembly (14).
- Let switch hang freely if removal is not needed.
- To remove switch (14):
A. Wiring protector (24).
B. Pivot and pulse dimmer switch connector from bulkhead connector.
C. Dimmer switch component from housing cover (22). Using screwdriver pry on the upper and lower wings of the switch body as shown in figure 7.
D. Wire harness clamp from tab inside housing and gently pull wire harness from column.
16. Hazard warning switch knob (20).
- With a small blade screwdriver, pry knob from position.
17. Turn signal to Right Turn position (up).
18. Three binding head cross recess screws (15).
19. Turn signal switch assembly (16).
- Let hang freely if removal is not needed.
- To remove switch (16):
A. Turn signal switch connector from bulkhead connector.
B. Wiring protector (24).
C. Gently pull wire harness through column.

Notice: SIR coil assembly (3) will become uncentered if:
- Steering column is separated from steering gear and is allowed to rotate, or
- Centering spring is pushed down, letting hub rotate while coil (3) is removed from steering column. (If this occurs, see figure 15).

20. SIR coil assembly (3) with wire harness from column assembly.
A. Wiring protector (24).
B. Attach a length of mechanics wire to coil terminal connectors to aid in reassembly.
C. Gently pull wire through column.
21. Key from steering column lock cylinder set (21).
22. Buzzer switch assembly (18).
23. Reinsert key in lock cylinder set (21).
- Key in Lock position.
24. Lock retaining screw (19).
25. Lock cylinder set (21) and pass key wire harness.
- To remove lock cylinder (21):
A. Terminal of pass key wire harness from vehicle wire harness.
B. Wiring protector (24).
C. Attach a length of mechanics wire to terminal to aid in reassembly.
D. Lock cylinder and retaining clip from lock housing cover and sleeve assembly (22) and gently pull wire harness through column.
26. Three pan head 6 lobed socket tapping screws (17).
27. Tilt lever.
28. Lock housing cover and sleeve assembly (22).
29. Wire protector shield (36).
30. Seat counterbore of tool J 39246 over end of race and upper shaft assembly (56).
31. Thread and seat standard hexagon nut on shaft (56) to secure tool.
32. Align square extension on end of tool bolt with square hole in spring retainer (52) and seat.
33. Rotate tool bolt clockwise with wrench until it contacts surface of tool block.

Inspect
- Spring retainer (52) must be compressed approximately 1/4 inch into steering column housing (46).

Important: Square hole in spring retainer (52) may become striped. Ensure spring retainer (52) is compressed at least 1/4 inch and is turned no more than 1/4 turn.

34. Rotate hexagon section on end of tool bolt counter clockwise approximately 1/4 turn.
35. Unscrew tool bolt until wheel tilt spring (51) and retainer (52) are loose and free of tool.
36. Remove retainer (52), spring (51), spring guide (50), and tool J 39246.

Install or Connect
Figures 1, 2, 12 through 17, and 23

Figure 1 - Tilt Steering Column:

Figure 2 - Tilt Steering Column Legend:

Figure 12 - Installing Pass Key Lock Cylinder Set:

Figure 13 - Routing Pass Key Wire Harness:

Figure 14 - Wire Harness Through Column:

Figure 15 - Centering SIR Coil Assembly:

Figure 16 - Routing Coil Assembly Wires:

Figure 17 - SIR Coil Assembly Installed:

Figure 23 - Correct Upper To Lower Shaft Orientation:

Notice: When fasteners are removed, always reinstall them at the same location from which they were removed. If a fastener needs to be replaced, use the correct part number fasteners for that application. If the correct part number fastener is not available, a fastener of equal size and strength (or stronger) may be used. Fasteners that are not reused, and those requiring thread locking compound will be called out. The correct torque value must be used when installing fasteners that require it. If the above conditions are not followed, parts or system damage could result.

Notice: Ensure all fasteners are securely seated before applying needed torque. Failure to do so may result in component damage or malfunctioning of steering column.

Notice: If new wheel spring (51) is to be installed, grease spring (51) and spring guide (50).

1. Install spring guide (50), spring (51) and spring retainer (52) to steering column housing (46).
2. Align securing tabs on spring retainer (52) with slots in tilt spring hole.
3. Tool J 39246 to steering shaft (56) and retainer (52).
- Do steps 30 through 33, Inspect and Important, "Remove or Disconnect", to setup tool and compressor spring (51).
4. Rotate hexagon section on end of tool bolt clockwise approximately 1/4 turn to lock retainer (52) into place.
5. Unscrew tool bolt and remove from shaft (56).
- Spring (51) and retainer (52) must be locked into position in housing (46).

Inspect
- Tilt housing (46) to all position to ensure smooth and proper operation of tilt spring.

6. Wire protector shield (36).
7. Lock housing cover and sleeve assembly (22).
8. Three pan head 6 lobed socket tapping screws (17). Tighten screw in 12 o'clock position first, screw in 8 o'clock position second, and screw in 3 o'clock third. Tighten screws (17) in the same order to 9 Nm (80 lb in).

Notice: Route wire from pass key lock cylinder set as shown and snap retaining clip into hole in housing (22). See figures 12 and 13. Failure to do so may result in component damage or malfunction of steering column lock cylinder set (21).

9. Steering column lock cylinder set (21).
A. Pass key wire terminal through column and snap retaining clip into hole in lock housing cover (22).
B. Terminal of pass key wire harness to vehicle wire harness.
10. Lock retaining screw (19). Tighten screw (19) to 2.5 Nm (22 lb in).
11. Key from steering column lock cylinder set (21).
12. Buzzer switch assembly (18).
13. Reinstall key in lock cylinder set (21).
- Key in Off-Lock position.
14. Turn signal switch assembly (16) wire harness through steering column.
- Let switch hang freely.
- Switch connector to bulkhead connector.
15. SIR coil assembly (3) wire harness through column.
- Let coil hang freely.
16. Turn signal switch assembly (16) with three binding head cross recess screws (15). Tighten screws (15) to 3.4 Nm (30 lb in).
17. Pivot and pulse dimmer switch assembly (14) wire harness through steering column.
A. Let switch (14) hang freely.
B. Wire harness clamp to tab inside lock housing cover (22).
C. Switch connector to bulkhead connector.
D. Dimmer switch component to slot in lock housing cover (22).
E. Pivot and pulse dimmer switch (14) to turn signal switch (16).
18. Round washer head screw (12) and flat head screw (13). Tighten screw (12) to 3 Nm (27 lb in). Tighten screw (13) to 2 Nm (18 lb in).
19. Housing cover end cap (23).
20. Multi-function and tilt lever.
21. Hazard warning switch knob (20).
A. Position knob (20) through hole in lock housing cover (22).
B. Snap into place.
22. Inner race (11).
23. Upper bearing inner race seat (10).
24. Upper bearing spring (9).
25. Turn signal cancelling cam assembly (8).
- Lubricate with grease, synthetic (service kit).
26. Shaft lock (7).
- Inner block tooth of lock (7) must be aligned with block tooth of race and upper shaft assembly (56).
27. New shaft lock retaining ring (6) using J 23653 SIR to push down shaft lock (7).
- Ring (6) must be firmly seated in groove on shaft.

Notice: Set steering shaft so that block tooth on race and upper sheering shaft (56) is at the 12 o'clock position, wheels on vehicle should be straight ahead, then set lock cylinder set (21) to Lock position, to ensure no damage to SIR coil assembly (3). See figure 23 for steering shaft orientation.

28. Wave washer (4).

Notice: SIR coil assembly (3) will become uncentered if:
1. Steering column is separated from steering gear and is allowed to rotate, or
2. Centering spring is pushed down, letting hub rotate while coil (3) is removed from column. If this occurs see figure 15.

Notice: If a new SIR coil assembly (3) is being installed, assemble pre-centered coil assembly (3) to steering column. Remove centering tab and dispose (see figure 15).

Notice: SIR coil assembly (3) wires must be kept tight with no slack while installing SIR coil assembly. Failure to do so may cause wires to be kinked near shaft lock area and cut when steering wheel is turned.

29. Ensure (SIR) coil assembly (3) hub is centered.
30. SIR coil assembly (3).
A. Pull wires tight while positioning SIR coil to steering shaft.
B. Align opening in coil with horn tower and locating bump between two tabs on lock housing cover (22).
C. Seat coil assembly into steering column.
31. Coil assembly retaining ring (2).
- Ring (2) must be firmly seated in groove on shaft.

Notice: Gently pull lower coil assembly, turn signal, pass key, and pivot and pulse dimmer wires to remove any wire kinks that may be inside steering column assembly. Failure to do so may cause damaged to wire harness (see figure 16).

32. Wiring protector (24).
33. Reverse removal procedures for remaining component installation.
34. Negative battery cable.
35. If all service operations are completed, enable the SIR system.