Steering Wheel & Steering Column: Other Jeep Cherokee III

SERVICE PRECAUTIONS

These precautions should be observed when working with air bag systems

1. To avoid possible injury from accidental air bag deployment after repairs, turn ignition on from passenger side (except dual air bag equipped vehicles). On dual air bag equipped vehicles, disconnect and isolate negative battery terminal. Turn ignition switch to ON position. Ensure no one is inside vehicle and, connect negative battery cable. Turn ignition off. Ensure air bag warning light is operating properly and no system faults are indicated.
2. Always wear safety glasses when servicing/handling air bag.
3. When placing an air bag on a bench or other surface, always face air bag and trim cover up, away from surface. This will reduce motion of module if accidentally deployed.
4. Electrical sources should never be allowed near inflator on back of air bag module.
5. DO NOT probe connectors with an ohmmeter unless specifically instructed to do so. Ohmmeters are self-powered and could deploy air bag(s).
6. When carrying a live air bag module, trim cover should be pointed away from your body to minimize injury in case of accidental deployment.

DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM

1. To disable air bag system for repairs, ensure ignition switch is in OFF position. Disconnect and isolate negative battery cable. Wait at least 2 minutes after disconnecting negative battery cable before servicing air bag system.
2. To activate air bag system, turn ignition switch to ON position and observe AIR BAG warning light. Warning light should come on for 6-8 seconds and then go out, indicating system is functioning properly. If warning light fails to illuminate, or illuminates and stays on, a system malfunction exists.

CLOCKSPRING CENTERING

Cherokee & Wrangler

1. Place front wheels in straight-ahead position. Remove air bag module and steering wheel. See «STEERING WHEEL, HORN PAD & CLOCKSPRING»(ref-99220-S00993316992001062900000) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
2. Remove clockspring from steering column. Hold clockspring case in one hand in relation to its installation position into steering column. With other hand, rotate clockspring clockwise to end of its travel. DO NOT apply excessive torque.
3. From end of clockwise travel, rotate rotor about 2 1/2 turns counterclockwise, until rotor flats are horizontal. (Scheme 15) If upper clockspring wire harnesses are not oriented toward bottom of clockspring, rotate rotor another one-half turn in counterclockwise direction.
4. Clockspring is now centered. Lock clockspring rotor to clockspring case to maintain clockspring centering until it is reinstalled on steering column. This can be done by inserting stiff wire through small index hole located at approximately 11 o'clock position in centered clockspring rotor and case. Bend wire over after it has been inserted through index hole to prevent it from falling out.
5. Ensure front wheels are still in straight-ahead position, and reinstall clockspring onto steering column.

Scheme 15

Grand Cherokee

1. Place front wheels in straight-ahead position. Remove air bag module and steering wheel. See «STEERING WHEEL, HORN PAD & CLOCKSPRING»(ref-99220-S00993316992001062900000) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
2. Remove clockspring from steering column. Hold clockspring case in one hand in relation to its installation position into steering column. With other hand, rotate clockspring clockwise to end of its travel. DO NOT apply excessive torque.
3. Rotate rotor about 2 1/2 turns counterclockwise from end of its travel, until arrows on clockspring hub label and clockspring case are aligned. Uppermost pin on lower surface of clockspring hub should now be oblong pin. (Scheme 16)
4. Clockspring is now centered. Secure clockspring hub to clockspring case to maintain clockspring centering until it is reinstalled on steering column. Ensure front wheels are still in straight-ahead position, and reinstall clockspring onto steering column.

Scheme 16

PARK-LOCK CABLE

1. Place gear selector in Park. Turn ignition switch to LOCK position. Remove shift lever bezel and center console for access to cable. Pull cable lock tab up to release cable. (Scheme 17)and (Scheme 18). To continue adjustment for Grand Cherokee, go to next step. For Cherokee and Wrangler, go to step 3.
2. For Grand Cherokee, ensure cable is free to self-adjust by pushing cable rearward, and releasing. Push lock tab down until it snaps into place. (Scheme 18) Go to step 4.
3. For Cherokee and Wrangler, use spacer to create.04 inch (1 mm) gap between shifter pawl and top of shift gate. Pull cable forward, then release and press cable lock tab down until locked into place. (Scheme 17) Go to next step.
4. Verify removal of ignition key is allowed only in Park. When shift lever is in Park, and shift handle button (floor shift) or release lever (column shift) is not depressed, key cylinder should rotate freely from OFF to LOCK. When shifter is in any other position, ignition key should not rotate from OFF to LOCK.
5. Shifting out of Park should be possible when key cylinder is in OFF position. Shifting out of Park should not be possible when key cylinder is in RUN, START, ACCESSORY or LOCK positions.
6. Shifting between any gear and Neutral or Park, may be done without applying brake, when ignition switch is in RUN or START. Engine starts must only be possible with shifter lever in Park or Neutral. With handle button or release lever button not depressed, shifting from Neutral to Reverse should not be possible.

Scheme 17

Scheme 18

Note. Park-lock (shifter/ignition interlock) cable mechanism is used on models equipped with A/T. Park-lock system locks shifter in Park when ignition switch is in LOCK or ACCESSORY position.