Contents: Inflatable airbag on the driver's…↡ Inflatable cushion control unit ↡ Airbag contact plate ↡
Note: Before performing the following actions, please refer to the warnings in paragraph 27.
1. Turn the ignition key to the "O" position, then disconnect the negative battery terminal. Pull back the carpet in the front of the passenger footwell, then unscrew the mounting screws and remove the footrest from the floor. Find the connector of the security system test lead, which is colored red, and disconnect it. This will disable the security system.
Inflatable airbag on the driver's side
Removal
2. Loosen and remove the two screws securing the cushion to the back of the steering wheel.
If necessary, rotate the wheel to access the screws.
3. Return the steering wheel to the straight-ahead direction, then carefully lift the air bag assembly up from the steering wheel and disconnect the connector at the rear of the assembly. Note that the air bag must not be hit, dropped, or stored properly with the soft surface facing up.
Installation
4. Make sure the connector is securely connected and position the airbag assembly in the middle of the steering wheel, making sure the wire is not pinched. Install the mounting screws and tighten them to the specified torque, starting with the left screw.
5. Connect the red test lead connector, install the footrest and fold back the carpet. Make sure that no one is in the car when connecting the battery. Turn the ignition key and check the operation of the security system control lamp by turning the steering wheel from side to side until it stops.
Inflatable cushion control unit
6. Removal and installation of the control unit should be entrusted only to a Mercedes-Benz dealer. During installation, the unit must be tested on a special Mercedes-Benz stand to ensure that the safety system is working properly. For reference, the control unit is located below the front of the central console.
Airbag contact plate
Removal
7. Remove the steering wheel as described in Chapter 10.
8. Remove the headlight dimmer switch as described previously.
9. Remove the lower part of the instrument panel on the driver's side as described in Chapter 11.
10. Follow the wire back from the contact plate, releasing it from all associated holders and clamps. Disconnect the wire from the main harness.
11. Loosen the contact plate screws enough to release the assembly from the top of the steering column and remove it. This will secure the assembly and prevent it from turning when removed.
Note: Do not completely remove the mounting screws or disassemble the contact plate.
Installation
12. Before installing, make sure that the contact plate is correctly positioned in the middle. This is not difficult to do if the mounting screws have not been removed. If there is any doubt about the position of the unit, fully tighten the contact plate mounting screws and turn the unit insert clockwise until resistance is felt. From this position, turn the insert back two or two and a half turns so that the mounting screws align with the holes, then lightly tighten the screws to fix the unit in this position.
[Article borrowed from the web portal www.MercedesMan.ru]
13 Replace the contact plate (ring), making sure the wires are routed correctly and aligning the recess in the center of the contact plate with the corresponding boss on the steering column. Make sure the contact ring is correctly aligned with the column and tighten the mounting screws securely.
14. Connect the connectors and install the remaining parts in the reverse order of removal.