Air bag light

[mkboynton]

I recently bought a 1998 Taurus that had a blown air bag. I found an air bag on the internet and replaced it, but the air bag light won't go out. It blinks several times, then stays on. A friend of mine mentioned it might be the clock spring. Were would I find the clock spring and how do I test it? Also, is there any other cause for this?

[shorod]

Originally Posted by mkboynton

I recently bought a 1998 Taurus that had a blown air bag. I found an air bag on the internet and replaced it, but the air bag light won't go out. It blinks several times, then stays on. A friend of mine mentioned it might be the clock spring. Were would I find the clock spring and how do I test it? Also, is there any other cause for this?

You don't happen to live in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area, do you? My scan tool can read the air bag codes to give you a better idea of the problem. According to the SRS data stream for my 1998 Taurus SHO, the computer monitors the air bag resistance, the SRS computer, the sensors, as well as the seat belt pretensioners. My guess would be that, since the airbag deployed, the seat belt pretensioners also activated and need to be replaced. Most body shops could probably tell you this as well, but I'm not sure what they would charge.

-Rod

[mkboynton]

Originally Posted by shorod

You don't happen to live in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area, do you? My scan tool can read the air bag codes to give you a better idea of the problem. According to the SRS data stream for my 1998 Taurus SHO, the computer monitors the air bag resistance, the SRS computer, the sensors, as well as the seat belt pretensioners. My guess would be that, since the airbag deployed, the seat belt pretensioners also activated and need to be replaced. Most body shops could probably tell you this as well, but I'm not sure what they would charge.

-Rod

No, I live in Marianna, Florida. I do have an Autozone in the area. They say that they will scan for free. I guess I need to go find out.

[shorod]

Originally Posted by mkboynton

No, I live in Marianna, Florida. I do have an Autozone in the area. They say that they will scan for free. I guess I need to go find out.

It takes a special, expensive scan tool to read the SRS, transmission, climate control, and ABS codes. Around here, the code readers that Autozone has will only read generic OBD-II engine codes.

It's worth a try, but don't be surprised if they do not get any codes for the SRS system.

-Rod

[mkboynton]

Originally Posted by shorod

It takes a special, expensive scan tool to read the SRS, transmission, climate control, and ABS codes. Around here, the code readers that Autozone has will only read generic OBD-II engine codes.

It's worth a try, but don't be surprised if they do not get any codes for the SRS system.

-Rod

Thanks Rod, I took it by today. They didn't give me anything on the airbag, but I did find out I have a bad oxygen sensor. But there is a new twist. The fuse to the horn and cruise control was blown. I replaced it about a week ago and everything worked fine. Now all of the sudden, the horn quit working...kinda petered out. The cruise still works. Does the clock spring affect the horn?

[way2old]

Hold horn button down and turn steering wheel to see if it starts to work. if it does, the clockspring is bad. Clockspring is under the steering wheel. Also check at the horn to see if current is there when button depressed. If there is current, replace horn

[busa4]

the airbag light will not turn off unless you clear the code/s reguardless if repaired. some airbag systems only allow the control unit to blow off airbags 1 time and then you have to replace the control unit.