2003 Oldsmobile Alero airbag replacement (to replace horn s

WOODFAM7

MEMBER
2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
90,000 MILES

The horn will come on and stay on on cold nights (like last night). It appears this is a known problem and the fix is to replace the driver's side airbag which includes the horn switch.

I can purchase an airbag assembly and the installation looks simple. But is it? Are they any tricks/hints to replacing an Alero airbag?

I certainly don't want to compromise the safety in any way as my daughter uses this car.

1 Reply

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

AIR BAG MODULES Removal & Installation (Driver-side) 1. Before proceeding, see AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . Disable air bag system. See ZONE 3 under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. 2. Remove steering column upper and lower trim covers. Remove driver-side air bag module Torx bolts from back of steering wheel. Carefully lift air bag module away from steering wheel. See Fig. 7 . Remove Connector Position Assurance (CPA) clip and disconnect driver- side air bag module connector. 3. Disconnect horn ground lead from steering wheel. Turn horn lead counterclockwise 1/4 turn to remove contact lead from steering wheel. Remove driver-side air bag module. 4. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten air bag module Torx bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Activate air bag system. See ZONE 3 under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM.

Yes it's a known problem, the vinyl covering shrinks in the cold and presses on the circuitboard.
Disable the system by removing the NEGATIVE battery cable for 3 minutes before you begin!
Zone 3 1. Turn steering wheel to place vehicle wheels in straight-ahead position. Turn ignition off and remove key. 2. Remove driver-side instrument panel end cover. Remove AIR BAG fuse from instrument panel wiring junction block (fuse block), located on driver-side end of instrument panel. See Fig. 3 . Remove Connector Position Assurance (CPA) clip and disconnect driver-side air bag module Yellow 2-pin connector, located above wiring junction box on left side of instrument panel.