Remove air bag on steering wheel for 2001 G1500 van

SIR DISABLE:
DRIVER SIDE
Many service procedures require the air bag system to be disabled to prevent accidental deployment. The air bag system can maintain sufficient voltage to cause deployment for up to 2 minutes after the ignition switch is turned off, the battery ground cable is disconnected or the DERM fuse is removed. If the inflator module is disconnected from the deployment loop by the following procedure, service can begin immediately without waiting for the 2 minute time period to elapse.

1. Turn steering wheel so that vehicle wheels are pointed straight ahead.
2. Turn ignition switch to Lock position and remove key.
3. Remove air bag fuse from fuse block.
4. Remove steering column filler panel.
5. Remove Connector Position Assurance (CPA) and disconnect yellow two-way connector at base of steering column, Fig. 1.

PASSENGER SIDE

1. Remove air bag fuse from fuse block.

SIR ENABLE:
Driver Side

1. Turn ignition switch to LOCK and remove key.
2. Connect yellow two-way connector and install connector position assurance (CPA).
3. Install steering column filler panel.
4. Insert air bag fuse into fuse block.
5. Turn ignition switch to RUN and verify that the air bag warning lamp flashes seven times then turns off.

Passenger Side

1. Turn ignition switch to LOCK and remove key.
2. Insert air bag fuse into fuse block.
3. Turn ignition switch to RUN and verify that the air bag warning lamp flashes seven times then turns off.

I believe that there are 2, 3, or 4 screws holding the bag assembly to the steering wheel. You can remove the screws from the back of the steering wheel. Be careful handling the airbag. Be sure to disconnect the battery completely, take the battery out of the car.

not changing AF every 2 years, cause the acid build up.
then eats the core to death, a 1 hr job becomes 8 or more...

how hard, well on a range of 1 to 10 , (depends on skills and tools)
a 5?
taking things apart is easy , getting it all back and working , now that is is challenging.
the thing is , the heater box just dont drop out of the dash in most cars with say 2 screws. (i had 1961 truck that did)

but i open the FSM for your car.
and it shows 37 steps out, and 38 back in
here is the out. (minus photos)
quote (partial) (buy the book buy the FSM and read it.....)

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions Section. Also see the IMA system disabling before proceeding with any procedure. {DEFEAT THE AIR BAGS or DIE !}
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable and wait for 3 minutes.
3. Place the front wheels in the straight ahead position.
4. Drain the cooling system into a clean container for reuse.
5. In the engine compartment, open the heater valve cable clamp and disconnect the cable from the heater valve arm. Then, turn the heater valve to the fully opened position.
6. Disconnect the heater hoses from the heater core.
7. Remove the heater housing-to-chassis n

1. Remove the front center floor console.
2. Remove the glove box
3. Remove the center lower cover.
4. Remove the radio.
5. Remove the steering wheel access cover and disconnect the driver air bag connector.
6. Remove the steering wheel cover and remove the driver air bag.
7. Loosen the steering wheel nut, then use a puller and remove the steering wheel.
8. Remove the steering column covers.
9. Disconnect the cable wheel connectors and remove the cable reel.
10. Disconnect the combination switch and ignition switch connectors.
11. Remove the steering joint pinch bolts.
12. Remove the steering column attaching nuts and remove the steering column.
13. Disconnect the passenger air bag connector.
14. Remove the 3 air bag mounting nuts, then pry carefully with a screwdriver and lift the air bag out of the dashboard.
15. Remove the A pillar trim on both sides.
16. From under and behind the dashboard, disconnect and label all electrical connectors.
17. Remove the driver coin tray.
18. Remove the dashboard attaching bolts (A) and screws (B) as shown.
19. Carefully lift up on the dashboard and disengage it from the holders (C) and (D).
20. Remove the dashboard through the door opening.
21. Discharge and recover the air conditioning system refrigerant.
22. In the engine compartment, remove the refrigerant lines-to-evaporator housing bolts.
23. Separate the lines, discard the grommets and plug the openings to prevent contamination.
24. Disconnect the evaporator housing's temperature sensor connector.
25. Remove the evaporator housing-to-chassis screws/nut and remove the evaporator housing.
26. Disconnect the mode control motor and the air mix control motor electrical connectors and remove the wiring harness clips and the wiring harness from the heater housing.
27. Remove the heater duct clip, the heater housing-to-chassis nuts and the heater housing.
28. Remove the heater core cover screws and the cover.
29. Remove the heater core pipe clamp screws and the clamp.
30. Remove the heater core from the heater housing.

why not say reason.. ??? is the actual shaft bad,
or just swapping out the whole thing.> with igntion switch and combo switch?
the whole inside parts?
are you removing the steering wheel ?

first hard part is air bags, very dangerous.
and the coil spring, in wheel hub. easy to damage that.
first off major work , you need the FSM. why not get it and read it.

if no bags , good. easier.
the other issue is the
there are 3 critical steps.
1: Bags.
2: ignition switch assy, anthieft screws.
3: collapsible shaft, possible damage.
4: the steering wheel puller and steps. the FSM covers each separately.

wheel. quote

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable and disable the air bag system.
2. Set the front tires in a straight-ahead position.

1. Remove the air bag module retaining nuts from behind the steering wheel.
2. Remove the air bag module. Defeated first !!!!
3. If equipped, remove the cruise control switch.
4. Disconnect the horn wiring.
5. Remove the steering wheel retaining nut.
6. Scribe a line mark on the steering wheel and steering shaft if there is not one already.
7. Remove the steering wheel using a suitable puller.
8. the palm smacking trick can get the wheel off if lucky.

To install:

1. To install, align the scribe marks on the steering shaft with the steering wheel.
2. Ensure the wheel compresses the 2 locktabs on the clockspring.
3. Pull the air bag and if equipped, cruise control wires through the larger hole and horn wire through the smaller hole. Ensure they are not pinched.
4. Install the steering wheel nut and tighten it to 45 ft. lbs. (61 Nm) while forcing the steering wheel down the shaft with the nut.
5. Connect the wire feed to the horn buttons.
6. Connect the feed wires and tighten the air bag retaining nuts to 90 inch lbs. (10 Nm). Ensure the air bag is completely seated. The latching clip arms must be visible on top of the connector housing on the module.
7. Enable the air bag system and connect the battery cable.
8. From the right side of the vehicle (in case of accidental deployment), turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
9. Check for proper air bag warning light operation.

end quote, get the FSM. there are many more pages, for
the COMBO section, and shaft.

Disconnect the negative battery cable so the air bag doesnt deplore their to are two screw on the steering wheel to remove the air bag then uses a steering wheel puller to remove steering wheel if you dont have a puller go a part store to rent one.

Welcome to Fixya

Here's the procedure on how to remove and install the ignition switch.


Removal
1.1
Disconnect the car's negative battery cable.
2.2
Insert the key into the lock cylinder and turn it to the Accessory position--turn it to the left. Make sure the front wheels are facing straight ahead before you do this.
3.3
Pry off the covers on the sides of the steering wheel concealing the air bag's mounting screws. Remove the screws with a Torx wrench, pull the air bag off the wheel and disconnect its electrical connectors.
4.4
Remove the steering wheel--unplug the electrical connector to the horn and cruise control, remove the wheel's retaining nut with a wrench, mark the hub's relationship to the steering shaft with tape and remove the wheel with a steering wheel puller.
5.5
Remove the steering column covers by removing the two Phillips screws on the sides and separating the two halves of the covers.
6.6
Unplug the electrical connectors for the ignition switch.
7.7
Unscrew the retaining screws for the ignition switch with a screwdriver and pull the switch out of the lock cylinder's housing.
Installation
8.1
Insert the replacement ignition switch into the lock cylinder housing--the lock cylinder must still be in the Accessory position--and secure it with the retaining screws. Connect the electrical connectors to the switch.
9.2
Connect the steering column covers to the column and secure them with their Phillips screws.
10.3
Install the steering wheel to the column, then connect the air bag to the wheel with its electrical connector and Torx screws.
11.4
Re-connect the battery cable.

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Look at fig. 4 for the heater a/c dash control: HEATER CORE Altima REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

1. Position the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position.
2. Turn the ignition switch OFF.
3. Disconnect the negative (() battery cable; then, the positive (+) battery cable. NOTE: Wait for a least 3 minutes after disconnecting the battery cables for the charge in the air bag circuit to dissipate before working on the air bag module(s).
   
4. Remove the driver's side SRS and steering wheel by removing or disconnecting the following:
   • Lower lid from the steering wheel and disconnect the driver's air bag module connector
   • Left and right side lids from the steering wheel
   • Special bolts from both side of the steering wheel using a tamper resistant Torx wrench (T50)
   • Air bag module and store it face up
   • Horn's electrical connector and remove the steering wheel nut
   • Steering wheel from the steering column using a suitable puller
5. Remove the passenger's side SRS by removing or disconnecting the following:
   • Glove box door and the glove box
   • Front passenger's air bag module connector
   • 2 special bolts using a tamper resistant Torx wrench (T50)
   • 4 passenger's air bag-to-instrument panel nuts
   • Front passenger's air bag module and store it face up.
6. Drain the cooling system into a clean container for reuse.
7. Discharge and recover the air conditioning system refrigerant.
8. Working in the engine compartment, disconnect the heater hoses from the heater core tubes.
9. Remove the instrument panel by removing or disconnecting the following:
   • Kick plate and dash side finisher on the driver's side
   • 2 lower panel-to-instrument panel screws and the lower panel on the driver's side
   • 2 lower reinforcement panel-to-instrument panel screws and the lower reinforcement panel
   • 6 steering column cover screws, the covers, the spiral cable and combination switch
   • 2 cluster lid "A" screws and the cluster lid "A"
   • 3 combination meter screws, disconnect the electrical harness connector and remove the combination meter
   • Switch panel
   • Instrument panel lower covers
   • Snap out the transmission shifter finisher (boot)
   • 4 cluster lid "C" screws and the cluster lid "C"
   • 4 audio and deck pocket-to-instrument panel screws and the audio and deck pocket
   • 5 center console screws and the center console
   • 2 center instrument panel screws and the center panel
   • front defroster grilles
   • Front pillar garnish
   • Instrument panel 3 nuts/4 screws and the instrument panel
   • 8 instrument stay assembly nuts and the stay
   • Steering member assembly 5 nuts/1 bolt and the steering member
10. Remove the air conditioning housing assembly by removing or disconnecting the following:
    • Refrigerant lines from the air conditioning housing assembly
    • Thermo control amp
    • Air conditioning housing assembly
11. Remove or disconnect the following:
    • Heater unit
    • Heater core from the heater unit Fig. 1: Exploded view of the steering wheel and air bag module
      Fig. 2: Exploded view of the passenger's side air bag module
      Fig. 3: Exploded view of the instrument panel assembly
      Fig. 4: Exploded view of the heater housing assembly and related components
      Fig. 5: View of the heater core and heater housing
      
    To install:
    
12. Install or connect the following:
    • Heater core to the heater unit
    • Heater unit
13. Install the air conditioning housing assembly by installing or connecting the following:
    • Air conditioning housing assembly
    • Thermo control amp
    • Refrigerant lines to the air conditioning housing assembly
14. Install the instrument panel by installing or connecting the following:
    • Steering member assembly and the steering member 5 nuts/1 bolt
    • Instrument stay assembly and the 8 stay nuts
    • Instrument panel and the instrument panel 3 nuts/4 screws
    • Front pillar garnish
    • Front defroster grilles
    • Center instrument panel and the 2 center panel screws
    • Center console and the 5 center console screws
    • Audio and deck pocket and the 4 audio and deck pocket-to-instrument panel screws
    • Cluster lid "C" and the 4 cluster lid "C" screws
    • Snap in the transmission shifter finisher (boot)
    • Instrument panel lower covers
    • Switch panel
    • Combination meter, connect the electrical harness connector and install the 3 combination meter screws
    • Cluster lid "A" and the 2 cluster lid "A" screw
    • Combination switch, the spiral cable, the covers and the 6 steering column cover screws
    • Lower reinforcement panel and the 2 lower reinforcement panel-to-instrument panel screws
    • Lower panel and the 2 lower panel-to-instrument panel screws, on the driver's side
    • Kick plate and dash side finisher, on the driver's side
15. Working in the engine compartment, connect the heater hoses to the heater core tubes.
16. Install the passenger's side SRS by installing or connecting the following:
    • Front passenger's air bag module
    • 4 passenger's air bag-to-instrument panel nuts
    • 2 new special bolts and torque using a tamper resistant Torx wrench (T50) to 11-18 ft. lbs. (15-25 Nm)
    • Front passenger's air bag module connector
    • Glove box door and the glove box
17. Install the driver's side SRS and steering wheel by installing or connecting the following:
    • Steering wheel to the steering column
    • Steering wheel nut and torque the nut to 22-29 ft. lbs.
    • Horn's electrical connector
    • Air bag module
    • New special bolts to both sides of the steering wheel and torque the bolts using a tamper resistant Torx wrench (T50) to 11-18 ft. lbs. (15-25 Nm).
    • Both the left and right side lids to the steering wheel
    • Lower lid to the steering wheel and connect the driver's air bag module connector
18. Refill the cooling system.
19. Connect the positive (+) battery cable; then, the negative (() battery cable.
20. Evacuate, charge and leak test the air conditioning system refrigerant.
21. Operate the engine to normal operating temperatures; then, check the climate control operation and check for leaks.

Check wires connections in ALARM WIRING DIAGRAM

Also, its possible that this info helpfull:
- Power Lock - TO DRIVERS DOOR ONLY, See DIAGRAM
- Power Unlock - TO DRIVERS DOOR ONLY, See DIAGRAM

Keepo us updated and send comments.

You will have to remove the steering wheel to get to the inner workings of the colum. This car should have air bags. Best off to take it in. You have to be very careful not to deploy air bag and if you accidently discharge it you can cause injury if not worse! Due to this I will not "talk" you through it.

Yes you can switch steering wheels, the wood grain is pricy. disconect the battery, wait 5min. remove caps from side of steering wheel. remove torx bolts from air bag assy. Remove wires from air bag. Place air bag upsode down in passenger seat. Make sure steering wheel is straight, remove 19mm nut and remove steering wheel.