Steering Wheel & Steering Column: Other Pontiac Aztek I

Tools Required

1. J 1859-A Steering Wheel Puller
2. J 42578 Steering Wheel Puller Legs

Scheme 80

1. Disable the SIR system. Refer to «DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM»(ref-160348-S06939367912004021000000) .
2. Remove the inflator module. Refer to «SENSING & DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM)»(ref-160348-S15133530232004021000000) .
3. Disconnect the steering wheel control electrical connector.
4. Remove the steering wheel nut.
5. Install J 42578 and J 1859-A to the steering wheel.
6. Use J 42578 and J 1859-A in order to remove the steering wheel.
7. Remove J 42578 and J 1859-A from the steering wheel.
8. Remove the controls and the control harness from the steering wheel.

Scheme 81

1. Install the controls and the control harness to the steering wheel.
2. Install the wiring through the steering wheel.
3. Install the steering wheel.
4. Connect the steering wheel control electrical connector.
5. Install the steering wheel nut. Tighten Tighten the nut to 41 N.m (30 lb ft).
6. Install the inflator module.
7. Enable the SIR system. Refer to «DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM»(ref-160348-S06939367912004021000000) .

J 42640 Steering Column Anti-Rotation Pin

Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Coil Centering

Note. The new SIR coil assembly will be centered. Improper alignment of the SIR coil assembly may damage the unit, causing an inflatable restraint malfunction.

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1. Verify the following conditions before centering the SIR coil: The wheels on the vehicle are pointed straight ahead. The block tooth (1) of the steering shaft is in the 12 o'clock position. The ignition switch is in the LOCK position, or J 42640 is installed in the upper tilt head.
2. If the front (5) of the SIR coil has a centering window (4), and the back side (2) has a spring service lock (1), perform the following steps: 2.1. Hold the coil with the face up. 2.2. While depressing the spring service lock, rotate the coil hub clockwise until the coil ribbon stops. 2.3. Rotate the coil hub slowly, counter clockwise, until the centering window appears yellow and both arrows (3) line up. 2.4. Release the spring service lock between the locking tab. The SIR coil is now centered. 2.5. Align the centered SIR coil with the horn tower and slide the coil onto the steering shaft.
3. If the front (4) of the SIR coil has a centering window (3) and the back side (1) does NOT have a spring service lock, perform the following steps: 3.1. Hold the coil with the face up. 3.2. Rotate the coil hub clockwise until the coil ribbon stops. 3.3. Rotate the coil hub slowly, counter clockwise until the centering window appears yellow and both arrows (2) line up. This is center position. 3.4. While holding the coil hub in center position, align the SIR coil assembly with the horn tower and slide onto the steering shaft.
4. If the front side (3) of the SIR coil does NOT have a centering window, but the back side (2) has a spring service lock (1), perform the following steps: 4.1. Hold the SIR coil with the back side up. 4.2. While depressing the spring service lock, rotate the coil hub counter clockwise until the coil ribbon stops. 4.3. Still pressing the spring service lock, rotate the coil hub in the opposite direction 2.5 revolutions. 4.4. Release the spring service lock between locking tabs. The SIR coil is now centered. 4.5. Align the centered SIR coil with the horn tower and slide onto the steering shaft.
5. If the front side (3) of the SIR coil does NOT have a centering window, and the back side (2) does NOT have a spring service lock (1), perform the following steps: 5.1. Hold the coil with the face up. 5.2. Rotate the coil hub clockwise until the coil ribbon stops. 5.3. Rotate the coil hub, slowly, counter clockwise, for 2.5 revolutions. This is center position. 5.4. While maintaining the coil hub in center position, align the centered SIR coil with the horn tower and slide onto the steering shaft.

Vehicle Steering

The steering wheel is the first link between the driver and the vehicle. The steering wheel is fastened to a steering shaft within the column. At the lower end of the column, the intermediate shaft connects the column to the steering gear.

Vehicle Security, found on Some Vehicle Models

Theft deterrent components are mounted and designed into the steering column. The following components allow the column to be locked in order to minimize theft

1. The ignition switch
2. The steering column lock
3. The ignition cylinder

Driver Convenience

The steering wheel and column may also have driver controls attached for convenience and comfort.

The following controls may be mounted on or near the steering wheel or column.

1. The turn signal switch
2. The hazard switch
3. The headlamp dimmer switch
4. The wiper/washer switch
5. The horn pad/cruise control switch
6. The redundant radio/entertainment system controls
7. The tilt or tilt/telescoping functions
8. The navigation/OnStar® features
9. The HVAC controls

Driver Safety

The energy-absorbing steering column compresses in the event of a front-end collision, which reduces the chance of injury to the driver. The mounting capsules break away from the mounting bracket in the event of an accident.

Ignition Lock Cylinder Control Actuator

If the vehicle is equipped with a floor mounted console gear shift, it has a ignition lock cylinder control actuator system in the steering column. The ignition lock cylinder control actuator's purpose is to prevent the ignition key from being turned to the OFF position when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle may still be moving. The column ignition lock system consists of a ignition lock cylinder control actuator, and a park position switch that is located in the A/T shift lock control switch. The ignition lock cylinder control actuator contains a pin that is spring loaded out to mechanically prevent the ignition key cylinder from being turned to the lock position when the vehicle transmission is not in the Park position. If vehicle power is lost, and/or the transmission is not in the Park position the operator will not be able to turn the ignition key to the lock position and will not be able to remove the ignition key from the column.

Scheme 87