2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Air Bag Light On

[nwinters]

The other day when leaving from work my Air Bag light came on and stayed on. It wasn't on on the way in to work.

I've done some searching and the most I could find was it could be a clockspring problem. The clockspring complaints seemed to coincide with a cruise control problem as well. My cruise is working fine as well as my horn. Could it still be the clockspring or should I look elsewhere?

Nate

 

[TowPro]

How many miles you got? I can't recall how long it last, but I think Air Bags and "supplemental restraints" have there own warranty listed in your warranty book.

 

[Dfuruness]

The same thing happened to me and the end result was a cracked clockspring.



There is a recall on the clockspring for I believe 2000 and 2001 trucks... . I own a 1995!



Anyone know if the recall covers 1995 as well? I have not received any recall notices. .

 

[mimprevento]

Clockspring

Take it in immediately- your driver airbag will not deploy because your clockspring has damaged internal wiring. DC has known about this and I believe the recall is in place. You should not have to pay but do not drive the vehicle around with the light on- you might need your bag. The guy that hit me in the rear at 35-40 needed his and he would have been through the windshield if his didn't deploy.

 

[nwinters]

I'm over 140k on my truck right now, I don't think a recall will apply anymore. How much is a new clockspring going to cost me? Are you sure that just the Air Bag part of the clockspring can go bad while leaving all the rest of the controls on the wheel working? Is this the drivers Air Bag for sure, could it be the passenger?



Nate

 

[mimprevento]

Clockspring

From what I understand the wire that would tell the squib to fire the driver bag from the steering wheel hub breaks internally along with some others- your system senses the ohm resistance due to the break and is activating the light. I represented a client who had a collision and just the passenger bag deployed so part of the system may work depending on the break. They will use a DRB to read your airbag module. The "springs" are actually wires in a donut like plastic housing that fits in the steering wheel hub- these have been known to be a problem- try to get them to pay and report it to NHTSA which has a database on these. Do not delay this is a critical safety issue.