2nd Gen Ram Tech 1994-2001 Rams: This section is for TECHNICAL discussions only, that involve the 1994 through 2001 Rams. For any non-tech discussions, please direct your attention to the "General discussion/NON-tech" sub sections.

Air bag

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 10, 2012 | 04:15 PM
  #1  
leahyhfarms's Avatar
leahyhfarms
Thread Starter
|
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Laois Ireland
Unhappy Air bag

Had to take my truck for its annual test and it has failed because the air bag light was not working. Long story short the light is working but a little too good- It stays on. It is a 94 truck so I know it is going to be more trouble to find the problem. Is it possible to test the clock spring? Would you know to look at the clock spring if it is bad. I have been searching to see if I can find a thread but to no luck. Can anyone give me a link. If I can't fix it easy, the air bag light will become the new oil light.
 
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2012 | 05:15 PM
  #2  
zman17's Avatar
zman17
Retired Moderator - RIP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 18,729
Likes: 17
From: NH
Default

Some one with a good scanner or the dealer (besides just replacing the clock spring) is pretty much your only bet.
 
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2012 | 08:20 PM
  #3  
dhvaughan's Avatar
dhvaughan
Hall Of Fame
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,204
Likes: 10
From: Gainesville, Ga.
Default

wow, he's in Ireland. do they have Dodge dealers in Ireland?
that is your best bet if available.

now i'm guessing - do you have cruise control and/or radio control buttons on the rotating part of your steering wheel? do they work. if not - that's and indicator of broken clock spring.

next possibility is the big wad of wires at the tilt steering joint. if you remove the clam shell covers around the column, it will expose this wad and you can look for broken or damaged wiring. that tilt joint is a common problem.

the next place to look is the airbag control module. on my 01 its in the floor, under the center of the dash. i don't know what it does, but remove the cover and inspect...
 
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2012 | 09:04 PM
  #4  
stewie01's Avatar
stewie01
Legend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,914
Likes: 4
From: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by dhvaughan
wow, he's in Ireland. do they have Dodge dealers in Ireland?
that is your best bet if available.

now i'm guessing - do you have cruise control and/or radio control buttons on the rotating part of your steering wheel? do they work. if not - that's and indicator of broken clock spring.

next possibility is the big wad of wires at the tilt steering joint. if you remove the clam shell covers around the column, it will expose this wad and you can look for broken or damaged wiring. that tilt joint is a common problem.

the next place to look is the airbag control module. on my 01 its in the floor, under the center of the dash. i don't know what it does, but remove the cover and inspect...
Appears so, http://www.dodge.ie/dealer/index.html
 
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2012 | 09:19 PM
  #5  
dhvaughan's Avatar
dhvaughan
Hall Of Fame
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,204
Likes: 10
From: Gainesville, Ga.
Default

how bout that.
i wonder if their stealerships are as crooked as ours?
i bet so.
 
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 05:46 AM
  #6  
leahyhfarms's Avatar
leahyhfarms
Thread Starter
|
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Laois Ireland
Default

Yes I have cruise control, it works perfect. There is no radio controls on the steering wheel.
I have looked at the wires on the tilt steering joint, they look ok. Could I use a volt meter to test the continuity of the air bag wires.
Have taken out the airbag control module and checked the plugs on the back for corriosion, also checked the crash sensors on the fenders and the plug on the air bag wire under the dash all clean.
Stealerships are the same the world over. They are all thieves when your back is to the wall.
Who would of though that dodge is sold here. Here's what is sold here.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3574450 http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/commercials/3341674.
If you want a pick up you will have to import it.
Now for a good Dodge http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/commercials/3376934
Thanks for your replys
 
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 06:49 AM
  #7  
HammerZ71's Avatar
HammerZ71
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24,686
Likes: 21
From: South Georgia/East Florida
Default

98.57649% of the time it's the clock spring...
 
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 06:56 AM
  #8  
DK-v1's Avatar
DK-v1
Professional
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Default

I would.not advise using a dmm to test the clock spring unless u have disconnected the air bag completely.

It doesn't take much to pop an air bag.
 
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 05:22 PM
  #9  
zman17's Avatar
zman17
Retired Moderator - RIP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 18,729
Likes: 17
From: NH
Default

Originally Posted by HammerZ71
98.57649% of the time it's the clock spring...
+1.... Of course that leaves the other 1.5% that we are wrong.


One more thing I just realized. Remove the steering column covers, make sure none of the wires running along side it are bad. Tilt wheels cause problems with those wires.
 

Last edited by zman17; Jul 11, 2012 at 05:26 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2012 | 11:50 PM
  #10  
gdstock's Avatar
gdstock
Legend
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 4
From: Austin, TX
Default

...and disconnect battery first before jacking with any of those wires...just in case. Don't want the airbiag to go off in your face!
 
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:37 PM.