Airbag light blinks and cruise control not work!

[amplifier28]

I have a 1994 E150. The air bag light blinks on and off only when I have driven the van for a few miles. The cruise control stopped working about four months ago, but the horn works. What could be the problem? Should I change the cruise control on/off buttons first or the clock spring on the steering wheel? What should I do first?

[amplifier28]

Anybody?

[Allmighty]

same thing here, but my whole wheel is out, no cc, horn, (i put in another button)

same year model

[amplifier28]

hello?

[yotermanic]

I would probably guess this is a clockspring. On a 1994, I think the airbag light will flash the code at you when it's acting up. Count the blinks, is there a pause? If there is I would count the blinks before the pause, then after the pause and google the code. Either way, I suspect you're dead on with the clockspring diagnosis (read guess) because anytime the airbag and cruise system act up in unison that is definately the most likely candidate.

However, as a word of caution I must say that you should definately check the harness along the steering column. When you check it, tilt the wheel back and forth while you watch it to see if you're pinching or straining any sections of the harness.

Best of luck to you!

[dugan50]

The clockspring is a ribbon wire that is coiled up inside the steering column. This component is the subject of many discussions on these threads. Many times the steering wheel or column is disconnected and then rotated beyond the center position it is required to be in. This will cause the clockspring wire to break. The clockspring delivers current to all of the systems above it… the airbag, cruise control and horn. When it fails (and they do a lot) the wire breaks leaving one or all of the circuits open and inoperative. This will cause the airbag light to come on and shut down the airbag system. As long as that light is on, the airbags will NOT deploy, even in an accident. Sometimes it’s intermittent as the wire begins to break. Once it breaks completely, the ‘airbag’ light will illuminate.
This was a factory recall for many vehicles and many customers are unaware of that.
Check out this site for information on researching your own vehicle for factory recalls!!!
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/nhtsa.aspx
…or contact your local dealer and they will accommodate the replacement for you.
Check out these web pages for a more complete description:

http://www.airbagsolutions.com
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/docs/Clockspring.pdf
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/resources.aspx

[dugan50]

The clockspring is a ribbon wire that is coiled up inside the steering column. This component is the subject of many discussions on these threads. Many times the steering wheel or column is disconnected and then rotated beyond the center position it is required to be in. This will cause the clockspring wire to break. The clockspring delivers current to all of the systems above it… the airbag, cruise control and horn. When it fails (and they do a lot) the wire breaks leaving one or all of the circuits open and inoperative. This will cause the airbag light to come on and shut down the airbag system. As long as that light is on, the airbags will NOT deploy, even in an accident. Sometimes it’s intermittent as the wire begins to break. Once it breaks completely, the ‘airbag’ light will illuminate.
This was a factory recall for many vehicles and many customers are unaware of that.
Check out this site for information on researching your own vehicle for factory recalls!!!
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/nhtsa.aspx
…or contact your local dealer and they will accommodate the replacement for you.
Check out these web pages for a more complete description:

http://www.airbagsolutions.com
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/docs/Clockspring.pdf
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/resources.aspx