OEM 2000 Lincoln Continental Steering Wheel

2000 Lincoln Continental Steering Wheel Parts Q&A

• Q: What precautions should be taken when servicing the steering wheel equipped with an air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) on 2000 Lincoln Continental?

  A: Every person who services the steering wheel of an air bag equipped vehicle with Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) must protect their eyes by using safety glasses to escape potential injury from premature bag activation. Handle and position the live air bag module so the air bag and trim cover face away from your body and never place it with the trim cover downward. Use soap water to wash your hands after deployment to eliminate the irritating sodium hydroxide residue from your skin. Avoid touching the connectors of the air bag module because it might cause accidental deployment and always discard discolored or damaged air bag modules instead of attempting to repaint the trim covers. Vehicle sensor orientation must be accurate for SRS operation because after a collision you need to inspect both sensor mounting brackets and wiring pigtails for any signs of damage which requires replacing and moving all components regardless of air bag function. A power supply depleting procedure involving the battery ground cable disconnect and one-minute wait becomes necessary before starting repairs or side/front air bag component replacements. Additional power supplies should also be removed if present. The repairs start with wheel alignment followed by disconnecting the battery cable for ground and waiting a minute followed another minute before releasing the battery to starter relay cable. The first step entails disassembly of the driver air bag module to disconnect the speed control electrical connector after which the steering wheel retaining bolt needs removal. You should protect the air bag sliding contact wire harness from getting trapped on the steering wheel while it is being removed. The Steering Wheel Puller tool allows you to remove the steering wheel while guiding the air bag sliding contact wire harness over it. End with the reinstall phase by following the steps for removing the items backward.