Installing MOPAR Cruise Control
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
ooops!
Disconnect battery:
First, loosen the negative (black wires) terminal clamp from the battery using a 10mm box-end wrench. Then isolate the connector from the battery terminal so you are positive it cannot be jostled around from you getting in and out of your Jeep and touch the battery. I just covered the negative battery terminal with a leather glove for this purpose.
Now, get a soda, twiddle your thumbs, and wait 2 minutes for the airbag capacitor to discharge.
Airbag removal:
This was, by far, the hardest part of the install, and the instructions for this step sucked. So, I took lots of pictures, hopefully they will help. Remember, you're working with an explosive device here, treat it gently. Don't drop, puncture, or abuse it. Try not to point it at your face and store it face up (Jeep emblem up) so that if the unit discharges, it doesn't become a projectile.
Lower the tilt-steering wheel to its lowest position, then insert your key and turn it to unlock the steering wheel.
There are three access holes at the 10 o'clock, 2 o'clock, and 6 o'clock positions on the back of the steering wheel shroud. Locate these now. Here is a picture of one of them:
Rotate the steering wheel till one of the top two (10 o'clock or 2 o'clock) holes is pointed straight up. Now, take your stubby, wide bladed standard screwdriver with the blade parallel to the ground and insert it into the hole as far as it will go, as shown:
Next, twist the screwdriver 90 degrees to disengage a wire loop on the airbag from a hook on the steering wheel hub. Below is a picture of what is actually happening inside the plastic shroud:
Hopefully this helps you envision what you're trying to accomplish when you're working on your Jeep and can't see what is happening because of the plastic shroud.
Pull on the airbag from the front as you disengage each loop to keep it from snapping back over the hook once it is free. After the first loop is free, turn the steering wheel till the next access hole is straight up and repeat the process. Do the top two loops first, and the bottom (6 o'clock) hole last. The second two loops are much easier once the first is disengaged.
This picture clearly shows the three metal loops you are trying to disengage from the hooks. After all three hooks are released, disconnect the two plugs from the back of the airbag and set it aside. Behind the airbag, you can see the four switches that set off the horn when pressed, and the cable that connects them to the steering column.
Now we're ready to remove the steering wheel.
First, loosen the negative (black wires) terminal clamp from the battery using a 10mm box-end wrench. Then isolate the connector from the battery terminal so you are positive it cannot be jostled around from you getting in and out of your Jeep and touch the battery. I just covered the negative battery terminal with a leather glove for this purpose.
Now, get a soda, twiddle your thumbs, and wait 2 minutes for the airbag capacitor to discharge.
Airbag removal:
This was, by far, the hardest part of the install, and the instructions for this step sucked. So, I took lots of pictures, hopefully they will help. Remember, you're working with an explosive device here, treat it gently. Don't drop, puncture, or abuse it. Try not to point it at your face and store it face up (Jeep emblem up) so that if the unit discharges, it doesn't become a projectile.
Lower the tilt-steering wheel to its lowest position, then insert your key and turn it to unlock the steering wheel.
There are three access holes at the 10 o'clock, 2 o'clock, and 6 o'clock positions on the back of the steering wheel shroud. Locate these now. Here is a picture of one of them:
Rotate the steering wheel till one of the top two (10 o'clock or 2 o'clock) holes is pointed straight up. Now, take your stubby, wide bladed standard screwdriver with the blade parallel to the ground and insert it into the hole as far as it will go, as shown:
Next, twist the screwdriver 90 degrees to disengage a wire loop on the airbag from a hook on the steering wheel hub. Below is a picture of what is actually happening inside the plastic shroud:
Hopefully this helps you envision what you're trying to accomplish when you're working on your Jeep and can't see what is happening because of the plastic shroud.
Pull on the airbag from the front as you disengage each loop to keep it from snapping back over the hook once it is free. After the first loop is free, turn the steering wheel till the next access hole is straight up and repeat the process. Do the top two loops first, and the bottom (6 o'clock) hole last. The second two loops are much easier once the first is disengaged.
This picture clearly shows the three metal loops you are trying to disengage from the hooks. After all three hooks are released, disconnect the two plugs from the back of the airbag and set it aside. Behind the airbag, you can see the four switches that set off the horn when pressed, and the cable that connects them to the steering column.
Now we're ready to remove the steering wheel.
Hold on a second, don't make the mistake that i did, it cost me $250 to get it fixed, first unplug the horn from the steering column, if you have a tough whell like I did it will not pull aprat the asemble that runs all of the switches and the real cool cruse control. the rest is easy and works great!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
Great write up and it definitely made the job easier than the Mopar instructions. The only issue I had was, when I reconnected the battery the ESP BAS light won't go off. Did anyone else have this issue and do I have to get the computer flashed to fix this? I have disconnected the battery a couple more times to reset the computer and see if this fixes the problem and no luck yet.
I am planning on going on a trip this weekend and want to know if this is a problem to drive with these lights on.
Any help would be appreciated.
I am planning on going on a trip this weekend and want to know if this is a problem to drive with these lights on.
Any help would be appreciated.
JK Freak
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 646
Likes: 0
From: Fairborn, Ohio
about the BAS light, but i just installed my cruise tonight. This writeup was invaluable 
Thanks for the pics!I didnt have a stubby screwdriver here at the house, so while i was poking around trying to find something to wedge in there to remove the airbag, i found these angled screwdrivers.
Never used em for anything until now, but the one on the right, i used the bottom end there stuck it in the slot and rocked the handle back towards the gauges and voila.
Made for just this purpose i spose 
Cant wait to hit the road tomorrow to try this out.
.......
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: US
Works great! thanks for the help. did have a bit of trouble removing the airbag. that L-shaped flat screwdrived worked well. for those who havent tried it yet. you will be pushing the screwdriver in with the blade going left to right with the screwdriver at at 20-30 degree angle from the ground pushing towards your belly. once inserted twist 90 degrees. good luck