airbag light

[curt_bixel]

I have a 99 Plymouth Voyager with about 85,000 miles. The airbag light goes on sometimes and goes off at others. Sometimes it goes on when I start the car and goes off a short time later. Sometimes it goes on when I start the car and stays on for over 15 minutes. Sometimes it goes on when I am driving.

I imagine this means there is a problem with the airbag and it will need to be serviced and probably replaced. Are there any other reasons the airbag light might do what it is doing?

And how much will it cost to replace the airbag if this is what is required?

[GTP Dad]

I doubt the air bag is the issue. The minivan had a clockspring problem that would cause the intermittant light you mention. Check with your dealer or check the NTSB website to see if your vehicle qualifies for the recall. If so the dealer should repair it for free.

If it is not the clockspring then the problem can be as simple as a loose or broken wire. Have the dealer diagnose it for you. Shouldn't cost a lot to repair.

[charlie3]

I had trouble with the clock spring on a 96. The trouble 1st showed up with the cruise control switches being intermittant on th steering wheel. When I called for the part, the parts counter told me it might be covered and it was for me. The dealer did the replacement for free.

[pilotnmech]

What does the clockspring do?

[charlie3]

Originally Posted by pilotnmech

What does the clockspring do?

strange name, huh.
It is in the steering wheel bihnd the airbag. It makes the electrical connections between the non-moveable part of the steering column to the steering wheel. It is essentially a set of wires coiled up like a old fashoned clock spring that coil and un-coil as the steering wheel turns. There are "wires" for the cruise switches, horn, and airbag.

[pilotnmech]

I have the steering wheel off of my Voyager right now, and I had the shaft off (I replaced the heater core.). The manual says to make sure the shaft doesn't get turned but it (the shaft) wouldn't go back on w/out unlocking and turning the shaft some. The clockspring has a warning on it to the same effect. So I won't hurt a thing by just lining the wheel up and rotating the clockspring to where I need it then?

[charlie3]

Originally Posted by pilotnmech

I have the steering wheel off of my Voyager right now, and I had the shaft off (I replaced the heater core.). The manual says to make sure the shaft doesn't get turned but it (the shaft) wouldn't go back on w/out unlocking and turning the shaft some. The clockspring has a warning on it to the same effect. So I won't hurt a thing by just lining the wheel up and rotating the clockspring to where I need it then?

Can't say. I never got that far. I took off the cruise switches and used an ohm meter to verify the clock spring was bad. never took off the steering wheel. At that point I called the dealer and the parts counter said it might be under recall, and it was. I took the partially disassembled unit in and they replaced it for free.

[Alexandra Spears]

There was a clockspring recall...I had mine checked (I have a 97 GC) and it was okay. Probably something you should look into. I can't remember offhand what year models were affected.

Edit: I just did a Google search, and here are the recalls for 1999 Plymouth Voyager . Look where it says "air bags."

[likeatruck]

In Dec. 2002, I had the clockspring replaced (according to my dealer) per recall notice. Never saw the airbag light on at the wrong time before that, but it's coming on now in Dec. 2005. Hopefully that lifetime warranty in the recall notice means they will replace it again.

[HeadlessHorseman]

Ditto the clockspring recall and free repair. My dealer replaced the clockspring and for a couple of years now the airbag light only comes on when it's supposed to... at startup time.