Blinking air bag light

[NScarpi]

I replaced a rack on my 95 Wagon,( OH boy was that fun) and then I did a few other things-oil change, trans filter change, changed anti-freeze and such. Now my air bag light inside the car comes on, goes off, sometimes it blinks 3 or 4 times and later seems to randomly blink. I checked all the wiring that I even came close to and all seems tight and normal. I don't have an owners manuel. So what is this telling me, anyone out there know?

Thanks
Nick

[shorod]

Those random blinks are telling you what it thinks is wrong. Count the codes and flashes. If it does a "blink, blink, blink, short pause, blink, blink, blink, blink, long pause" that would indicate a code 34. Flashes after the long pause would be the next code, or a repeat of the 34 if that's the only code. It will do this for the first minute or so after the key is turned to run.

Post the codes or flash sequence here and we can translate the code for you.

-Rod

[NScarpi]

Ok Rod: the code is 32

Thank You
Nick

[shorod]

Lamp Fault Code (LFC) 32 indicates Driver Side Air Bag Module High Resistance or Open. I'd suggest you check the wiring for loose connections or connections with broken wires. Due to the explosive nature of the airbag system, you may also want to consider having the professionals diagnose the issue. Chances are pretty good the problem is the clockspring in the steering column.

-Rod

[tripletdaddy]

I would like to add to not having an explosive experience that you disconnect your battery cable and wait two minutes before monkeying around any of the air bag stuff, especially if you start pulling apart the steering wheel to get to the clockspring or any other disassembly of sensor connections, etc. Then you'll really wished you took it to the dealer.

[NScarpi]

Please tell me more about the clock spring. Where is it located? When I installed the rack, I moved the rubber boot at the bottom of the steering column (inside the passenger compartment) to get at the coupler. I checked for wiring problems there and didn't find any problems. But I didn't know about the clock spring and when I was attaching the coupler I was sliding the u-joint mechanism up and down to get it in place. If this clock spring is attached to the lower part of the column I probably damaged it. I didn't see anything that would look like a sensor and I didn't pop the air bag but I may have damaged something I didn't see. Also when the rack was not connected I was spinning the wheel to get it lined up. So if this clock spring somehow allows for only a certain amount of turns, I may have over turned the steering wheel. Also thank you for the thought of my safety with instructions on how to disarm the system. I made sure that I understood how to disarm it before I started this repair. I try to make sure I'm safe and not breaking anything before I get into these projects. My book was very good on air bag safety, but unfortunately it didn't say anything about a clock spring. I am really grateful for all of your help and concern.

Thanks Guys
Nick

[dugan50]

The clockspring is a ribbon wire that is coiled up inside the steering column. Once you remove the airbag module and the steering wheel, it is usually the very next component stacked in the column. It delivers current to all of the systems mentioned above, airbag, cruise control and horn. When it fails (and they do a lot) the wire breaks leaving the circuit open and inoperative. This will cause the airbag light to come on and shut down the system. As long as that light is on, the airbags will NOT deploy, even in an accident.
This was a factory recall and many customers are unaware of that. 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/docs/Clockspring.pdf
http://www.airbagsolutions.com
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/docs/NHTSA1.pdf

Here's a site that will explain everything you need to know about airbag lights and resetting the system.
On most vehicles, the airbag light should come on for @6 seconds, and then go off if the system is working properly. If there is a fault or a problem in the system, the light will remain illuminated, or flash continuously. If the airbag light does not work properly, some vehicles have an audible tone that sounds indicating a problem with the airbag light system. When the light is on (or the tone is sounding), the airbag will NOT deploy, even in an accident. Most systems can only be diagnosed using a scanner designed for the airbag system, however some use flash codes to indicate the problem. The scanners at Auto Zone or the ones that sell for @ $50 will not access the airbag system, only the engine systems (check engine light).
This website gives you the procedure for diagnosing and resetting some systems without a scanner. Some vehicle manufacturers accommodate that (like Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Infinity, Honda, Acura, Ford, Lincoln, Mazda & Mercury) and some require a scan tool. http://www.airbagsolutions.com/
Check out these websites also for more info on airbag systems and the light.
http://blog.airbagsolutions.com/arch...ould-i-do.aspx
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/resources.aspx
http://blog.airbagsolutions.com/
Check out this scanner for AIRBAG>>>It’s the cheapest one I’ve found!
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/scanner.aspx

[shorod]

Unfortunately, since you mention you rotated the steering wheel while trying to connect the coupler to the steering gear, you may have damaged the clockspring. If the dealer notices the new rack, they likely would void any potential warranty on the clockspring. There's nothing saying they will notice the new rack though....

-Rod

[tripletdaddy]

Right off I'm not terribly concerned, because you didn't say you experienced any resistance in turning the steering wheel since your repair. Spinning it around doesn't concern me at all. Reconnecting the coupler and sliding up and down the ujoint etc, does sound likely you may have mashed the two halves of the clock spring assembly so that when reassembled, a slight gap now exists. I don't believe it's possible you hit the csa. Does your horn still work? Have you tried the cruise control? If it were me, I'd verify with Ford that there is in fact a recall for this, as I haven't heard of it for my 95, no notice sent, and then ask if there are any conditions or restrictions on getting it replaced. If it is being replaced because of a recall and not a waranty, any abuse should not be a factor, though in this case, it may be damage more than abuse. An inferior or defective part is that, irregardless of anything else and Ford had stated that they will replace it. For them to do anything less puts them at considerable risk and that is precisely why they are unwillingly willing to recall and replace parts.

(Please note that I did not say better parts because I just got wind of a Ford recall of a recall replacement part. I thought how rich, a recall of a recall. Sorry Rod, even I could have gotten that wiring boondoggle right. They made the same mistake twice!?! They were supposed to switch polarity between two wires and put a fuse on it, but they only put the fuse on and maybe forgot the rest? Dunno. So the wiring to the brake pressure switch on Ford's truck line was still set up to be hot at all times and catch on fire when the pressure switch would leak fluid.)

But back to point, they do this out of various reasons from liability, to political pressures. Now if it was offered as a special extended warranty like the infamous 3.8L head gasket debacle, sure, there may be limitations. But if it's a recall, then they are obligated to replace what you have even if it is in pristine condition or not. As a matter of fact, since this involves a safety item rather then an item of ordinary function, it is probably federally required to be recalled whereas the head gasket is only functional, so it would only get a warranty added.

I myself would be comfortable to just go ahead and pull apart the steering wheel and see what's wrong and fix it if I can. I'd rather at least know what is being dealt with if it does go to the dealer, but I'd rather do it myself due to time, expense and convenience.

[NScarpi]

Thank You for all your help guys, I checked the web sites about recalls on a 95 clockspring and did not find any. I have a parts car so I started into that one first. It wasn't hard to get down to the clockspring. I tested it and found it to be good. Then I started on my wagon which turned out to be easy. I broke the clockspring by turning it too far when the rack was off. There was no doubt about that. The center plastic mount that turns with the wheel was in pieces. Also one wire that went to the horn/cruise connector was broken. And by the way the horn did work before the rack change but not after. Now all is fine the airbag lite goes off as normal and stays off.

Thank You Again
Nick

[shorod]

Great, thank you for the follow-up. I'm glad to hear that you were able to make use of your parts car and got the job done without any explosions.

Sorry that you had to learn the hard way not to let the steering wheel rotate when changing the rack out.

-Rod

[tripletdaddy]

Glad you were able to recover easily from your oops with your personal parts car. I probably could have made the same mistake not knowing better. Sorry for my wrong information on the csa. For some reason I thought it was set up differently.

[dugan50]

Glad to hear you solved it. I hope we were all of help. I love it when a plan comes together
Later