Help - Air Bag Light and No Cruise Control

[DBuchheit]

Today I noticed that my steering was a little tight when I made a right turn. I checked the power steering fluid. It was a little low, so I topped it off, started the truck and exercised the steering lock to lock. When I turned the wheel to the right, it got tight, made a pop and got loose. After that my air bag light came on and cruise control wouldn't engage. I haven't gotten into the steering column yet, but suspect that there is a flex circuit in there that's causing the problem.

Anyone have any experience with that sort of problem? I have a trip planned for tomorrow and would like to get it fixed on my own if I can. Please advise ASAP

Thanks

------------------
2001. 5 Intense Blue 2500 QC, SLT, 5. 9L 24v Cummins, 4x2 Auto, 3. 54/LSD, 155 inch WB, Agate, Trailer Tow Group, Sliding Rear Window, Line-X over the rail, Leer Cab Height Topper.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Ramboat,

Sounds like you have a broken clockspring. The cruise won't work and the airbag light will be illuminated. Its like a ribbon in a plastic housing that enables the controls on the steering wheel to work. Like a flex circut, like you said. Its an easy fix. You will need a steering wheel puller. Its just behind the steering wheel. You can't repair a broken one. Its sprung.

It will be covered under warranty.

Its about $150 for the clockspring (probably a dealer item) and about an hour to install if you were to do it yourself.

I drove with my broken for a month. No big deal. Just no cruise and that darn light. The airbag may or may not deploy in an accident. Not sure. Didn't find out #ad




[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 05-19-2001). ]

 

[DBuchheit]

Originally posted by HEMI®Dart:
Ramboat,

Sounds like you have a broken clockspring. The cruise won't work and the airbag light will be illuminated. Its like a ribbon in a plastic housing that enables the controls on the steering wheel to work. Like a flex circut, like you said. Its an easy fix. You will need a steering wheel puller. Its just behind the steering wheel. You can't repair a broken one. Its sprung.

It will be covered under warranty.

Its about $150 for the clockspring (probably a dealer item) and about an hour to install if you were to do it yourself.

I drove with my broken for a month. No big deal. Just no cruise and that darn light. The airbag may or may not deploy in an accident. Not sure. Didn't find out #ad


[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 05-19-2001). ]

I guess the only real question is: should I pull the air bag fuse to prevent accidental deployment should the clock spring make inappropriate contact while turning the steering wheel?


------------------
2001. 5 Intense Blue 2500 QC, SLT, 5. 9L 24v Cummins, 4x2 Auto, 3. 54/LSD, 155 inch WB, Agate, Trailer Tow Group, Sliding Rear Window, Line-X over the rail, Leer Cab Height Topper.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Ramboat,

I guess you could if its makes you feel better. I don't think the airbag can deploy with a broken clockspring. It can't get juice now. I tried pulling fuses to get the light to go out. Never could.

 

[willyslover]

RamBoat. . we must have had an "out of body expierence" mine did the same thing on the same day . . only with a left turn. . also lost the radio controls on the column
Gary
PS. . HemiDart. . thanks for the info

 

[Hale on wheels]

Been there--Hemi is correct-you need a new clock spring.

 

[HC]

Ditto. I knew something was up when I described the symptoms over the phone, and the dealership told me they "could probably fix it pretty quickly" without even seeing the vehicle. Must be a weak spot in our rigs - just glad it's not drivetrain related - my #1 priority is that the vehicle must get me there and bring me home, or it is HISTORY.

------------------
2001 ETH, QC, LWB, 4WD, 3. 54, SPA Pyro & Boost, K&N RE-880 w/foam pre-cleaner, ARE Z-series Cab-high shell, Rear ARB locker, and all kinds of synthetic fluids...

 

[Sky]

LOL this just happend to me on last thursday 5-17, it is the clock spring and my part should be here this week. I wonder how many of these are breaking through the US.

------------------
2001 QuadCab,SWB,Auto, 4X4,4" Flowmaster Raceing Exhaust, DTT TC & VB, EZ Box, Bosch 275 Injectors, Mag-Hytech transmission pan/Dana 70, K&N, 33" BFG AT'S... ... .....

 

[Bill Lins]

Same thing happened on my wife's Dakota about a month ago- replaced under warranty.

------------------
Bill Lins Wharton, TX 98 2500 QC SLT,12 (the CORRECT # of)valves,NV4500,3. 54 LSD,Manik grille guard,Semi-Psychotty Air,Amsoil everywhere, Reading aluminum utility body and bumper,Optima yellow tops- silencer ring & muffler stolen.

 

[John Berger]

Yeah, it's definitely the clockspring. Be glad it's under warranty. Mine went south 6 weeks ago. I didn't lose cruise control, but the Air Bag light would not go off. This is what they charged me:

Diagnostics - $60. 00
Labor $60. 00
Clockspring $144. 00 #ad


I felt really poor after this. Wait till you see the part. It's just coiled metal encased in plastic with three wires running out of it. Not unlike pulley setups on lawn mowers and tillers. For the price I think I should have got one that was gold lined.

------------------
1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 2wd; 5 spd; 4:10 LSD rear; Mag-Hytec differential cover; US Gear EGT and Boost gauges. Stewart Warner Fuel Pressure Gauge with dual senders, Westach Oil Temp Gauge for differential. Rancho 9000 shocks, PowerEdge EZ Box, Amsoil foam air filter and synthetics in the motor and differential. Cummins Power, don't leave home without it

[This message has been edited by John Berger (edited 05-24-2001). ]

 

[kaffine krazed]

No need to pull a fuse your airbag wont deploy. It takes alot of power to deploy the airbag. The system works be putting a vert low current through the airbag when the key is on this is how the system knows the driver squib circuit that feeds the airbag is open.

I replace alot of clocksprings at work.

 

[DBuchheit]

Well, I thought they fixed mine, until I used the cruise control. The buttons on the left side of the wheel work, but the ones on the right side don't.

Back to the dealer Tuesday.

------------------
2001. 5 Intense Blue 2500 QC, SLT, 5. 9L 24v Cummins, 4x2 Auto, 3. 54/LSD, 155 inch WB, Agate, Trailer Tow Group, Sliding Rear Window, Line-X over the rail, Leer Cab Height Topper.

 

[RobG]

My clockspring went out a month or so ago as well, on my way back from LA. Had to drive about 120 miles without cruise control. That really sucked.

The dealer DID manage to get me in and out quickly and NOT try to blame the problem on my mods, though.

The tech said that part fails all the time, so it appears DC has found another way to get lots of $$$ out of us after the warranty expires.

Rob


------------------
2001. 5 RAM 3500 QC 4x4 ETH/DEE Silver/Agate, 4. 10, USGear OD, Rickson 19. 5 Wheels, DD EZ, DD3 Injectors, HX-40, Southbend Clutch, SPA Guages, Psychotty, Firestone Airbags, Hellwig Rear Swaybar, Torklift Superhitch & Camper Tiedowns, Mag-Hytec Diff Cover, DD 4" Exhaust, US Gear Exhaust Brake, etc.