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Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHAirbag light issues
Reported repair
Replace clock spring
Reported resolution
1
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0
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1
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Leading evidence: 'Replace clock spring' (1 discussions report resolution; 0 report an unsuccessful attempt). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace clock spring' (1 discussions). For that action, 1 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. The most frequently reported fix is 'Replace clock spring', supported by resolution reports in 1 discussions. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I used alcohol and WD40 to clean and lubricate the contacts using a clean small paint brush.
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Suggestion
I finally followed suggestions to clean the connecter contacts.
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Suggestion
I used alcohol and WD40 to clean and lubricate the contacts using a clean small paint brush.
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Suggestion · Original poster
1st rule of working in an Airbag DISCONNECT THE BATTERY!!
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Suggestion
It took me about 1 1/2 hours to do all this, only because I was taking my sweet time I've never worked on any airbag module or system before, so I was a bit leery...but this is truly straight-forward and easy to repair on your own.
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My Airbag light was on, so I scanned with Durametric and turned it off.
Code is:
21 Ignition Circuit driver
Possible cause of fault: (Thanks to Loran on Renntech)
- Short circuit to B+/ground or open circuit in the wiring between the driver's airbag unit and the airbag triggering unit
- Driver's airbag unit faulty
- Triggering unit for airbag faulty
The light stayed off for a day or so and than came back on, I reset and it came back again a little later.
I think I hear a slight grinding when I turn the steering wheel.
Could it be wiring or something called a clock-spring trigger, whatever that is?
Thanks!
IIRC its slang for the piece behind the airbag (have not taken mine apart, so not sure where) where the electronings pass thru from the stationary column to the rotation area of the steering wheel (shown here) - I think
My airbag light came on again when I was moving the seat around. Kinda annoying but good news is that I have 1 1/2 years before addressing it for inspection again.
Marc,
Be certain you disconnect the battery before you go in there.
996 Companion
makes a big deal about that specific first step. They also recommend that the dealer be the one to remove the airbag assembly so you don't get a facefull. Last year when I changed out my steering wheel from a 4-spoke to a 3-spoke (and thus an airbag assembly to match), I looked everywhere for directions and the only directions I got were to the dealership.
That being said, it is actually a simple task. You might want to go ahead and get the horn ring collar that wears out and replace that while you are in there (kind of like doing the IMS anyway when doing a clutch job).
Ohh... this is gonna ba a fun job... maybe I better order some parts so I dont have to do this twice.
Not my week for cars, also have to pull the console out of the Saab because it looks like the ignition switch is crapping out.
Marc,
Are you sure it is not the seat belt switch? The clock spring is not a spring. Depending on how many Accessory controls are on your wheel it is a coil of flat wires/wire that winds up or unwinds to allow the wheel to turn without tearing the wire(s). The whole thing will probably be in a plastic holder that has external connections on both sides. One side turns with the wheel the other side stays put. If you disconnect the battery for about twenty minutes the air bag should be discharged so that it does not activate. Don't wear your wool skirt with nylons while you work on it or the static generated could set it off. Not to mention the static you will get from the forum if anyone sees you it that getup.
Possible seat belt latch "sensor thingy". My 98 Boxster airbag light came on back when I had it a few years back. My Indy said it could be some sensor inside the seat belt housing. It was. Can't even remember how much. The parts were maybe like...$30 I guess? Worth a try...
Marc, you car is trying to tell you that it wants a short shifter installed in it. It is calling you an "air bag" for buying one and not installing it!
Seriously, the most common issue seems to be the seat belt sensor that
Jugger911
mentioned ^.
Frank & Evil Tim,
The Durametric tells me the issue is in the drivers airbag.
I thought it would be the seat belts as well, I even have all the parts to fix the belts but Durametric tells me otherwise.
I also hear a little scraping noise when I turn the wheel so that leads me to believe the clock spring is at fault.
when you put the clock spring back in make SURE you seat it properly and and follow the instructions regarding the little clip on the face of it. After swapping steering wheels, i neglected to do that and busted up the spring (car was drivable but steering wheel was tight and it made weird noises of a worrying nature lol).
Replacement cost of the clock spring assembly up here was 220$ and was kept instock by the dealer (so probably around 120-140$ us) so it's good to avoid an easily avoidable mistake.
Marc,
Google airbag clock spring. You will get many hits about Chryslers spring recalls and many "how to" like this:
All,
Since I encountered some difficulty when searching for a diagnosis, I thought I'd post this for future seekers. If your TJ's airbag light begins to flicker on and off over the course of a few weeks then stays on constant...listen up! Shortly thereafter, your horn will stop working. A faulty airbag clockspring is to blame, and its an easy fix! I sourced one through Ebay, approximately $129 with shipping (brand-new). Here's how to do it:
*Tools needed! 8mm socket, 13/16" socket, steering wheel puller kit.*
***Do not turn the steering wheel at any time during this process!!!***
- ***UNPLUG YOUR NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE!!!*** Allow AT LEAST 2 minutes to lapse before resuming work; your airbag will de-arm during this period.
- ***ENSURE THE STEERING WHEEL IS STRAIGHT, AND TIRES ARE POINTED STRAIGHT AHEAD!!!*** This is crucial, so don't skip this step! On the backside of the steering wheel, there are two 8mm bolts holding the airbag/horn assembly on. Remove them, and your airbag/horn assembly will come loose.
- There are two wires plugged into the airbag. The one plugged directly into the middle simply pulls out of the unit with a firm tug. The other is a blade-type connector, pull them apart. Carry the assembly pointed away from you, and set it down with the trim side facing up.
- Remove the steering wheel retaining nut with the 13/16" socket.
- Attach the steering wheel puller, and remove the steering wheel. I thought I needed a ducks-foot type puller, but an H type puller is what is needed! I rented the kit from Advanced Auto, $20.
- You are now looking at the airbag clockspring. Look at the new unit, do you see the plastic clips which will hold it in place once installed? The old unit has them also. I jerked hard on the old unit and they both broke off, falling into the steering column cover. Once they are broken, the unit will slide off the shaft with some tugging, just try not to turn the shaft!
- Install the new clockspring in EXACTLY the same position that the old one was removed. Push firmly so the new unit locks into place. Use care, there are plastic splines in the inner part of the unit that must fall into grooves cut into the steering wheel shaft.
- Once installed, break the plastic retainer holding the white wheel thingy off of the clockspring. It's now time to reassemble, but there is one catch! That plastic retainer you broke off the new unit was holding that white wheel thingy from turning....see how the wheel is shaped kind of like an H? Look on the back of your steering wheel, and you'll see that the white wheel thingy and the steering wheel fit together. When putting the steering wheel back on, line up the white wheel with that spot on the back of the steering wheel. Then re-assemble the whole mess in reverse order!
It took me about 1 1/2 hours to do all this, only because I was taking my sweet time I've never worked on any airbag module or system before, so I was a bit leery...but this is truly straight-forward and easy to repair on your own. You don't wanna know how much the stealership quoted me to fix this! Just take your time, and soon you'll have an airbag light that stays off, and a horn that works again.
In the above picture 7 is the sensor. Page 0-40 in the service manual shows the triggering unit under the seat or dash.....maybe. I'd imagine a clock spring style spring is what holds a contact centered waiting for a force strong enough to compress the spring and make contact with a rim of a hole the center contact on the spring wiggles in. Maybe just the sensor under the seat need to be unplugged and replugged to eliminate corrossion from sitting so long. Page 03-51 goes over limited airbag maint stuff. Good luck.
yes, same code, not sure why though can you forward a link to the part you got i don't see it in the picutre? what picture?, I gotta play with the seat connectors because when i bought the car one was unplugged, and then when mechanic switched the light off it went off for a week, after it came back on i plugged it back in. but never had the chance to test it. Now i got my own PST 2(800$ not sure if that is a good price). So i can play around without paying dealer to reset the computer everytime.
All right i took it all part just to check it out, unpluged it all put some wd 40 on connectors, took my PST 2, deleted the code and it stayed off for more that 30 seconds. So i hope it will be good. but when i tried connecting the two connectors for the horn the horn keep beeping. is it because my battery is still plugged, and as soon as i screw the air bag on it will stop beeping (cant screw the air bag on because the damn horn is too loud).
thanks for help.
Yah you need to disconnect the battery before messing with the stuff. Then it could just be me but the first time turning the key after hooking the battery back up I'd be standing outside the car out of the way of the airbag
I've got this light too, but my indy told me it's the seatbelt switch but was trying to tell me it would cost a few hundred for a new seat belt latch with install.
Is it possible to take the seatbelt latch apart and replace/fix the sensor?
Can't drive a German car with red light glowing on the dash.....
Hi
I think that I finally corrected the Air Bag light problem and my light has been off or a while.
I have done the Clock solder joints re-soldver with no effect, followed by a Durametric reset. Lights came back on after 1 minute.
The error code was the driver side. After the reset the light came back on after one mile.
I finally followed suggestions to clean the connecter contacts. This I did yesterday, with promising results.
The connectors are just infront and below the fuse box in the front trunk, on the right side, and about the same location on the left side. These are round black rubberized connectors, held in a holder. They are a bitch to get to and plug.
I used alcohol and WD40 to clean and lubricate the contacts using a clean small paint brush. After I again reset my fault codes, and drove the car for a few miles. The light have NOT come on, as they did previously.
I keep my finger crossed.
Don
