Good day. Hello from NJ. I was given a 96 1500 club cab long bed 4x4. It has the 5.2 magnum. When I got it started the airbag light was on in the dash. Is this normal or is there a known issue. I had to jiggle the gear selector to start, but I know that is either the linkage bushings or the neutral safety switch. The truck has 116,234 miles on it. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

Do you happen to have an OBD2 scanner? If so, you should be able to scan the PCM for codes that may help you with the airbag issue.

 

Run of the mill OBD2 scanners can't talk to the airbag module, or ABS either. The tool needs to be able to talk on the CCD bus which requires "shop level" diag tools, preferably an older one. I think current tools from Launch etc. don't support older vehicles anymore.

 

An older Snap-On MT2500 will work. They are widely available on the used market pretty cheap and are good to have around for older vehicles..

 

Thanks for the reply. Just drove the truck home and discovered that the horn and cruise control both don’t work on the steering wheel. The cruise control green light comes on at the bottom of the wheel, but no cruise control. Maybe it is in the steering wheel. Will look into it further. Is it worth getting the Snap-On MT2500 scanner for the truck. I plan on keeping the truck until it dies or I die.

 

I think the snappy is good up to like 2006, with the right keys/cartridges...... they are a couple hundred bucks though. Since you can on keeping the truck, probably be a good investment.

 

If you look around, you can find the MT2500 scanner used on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace in your general area. There's one in my area going for $125 right now with the general GM/Chrysler/Ford cartridges..

 

Wow, that's DIRT cheap...... Last time I looked, it was north of 300 for one that worked, and came with most of the 'stuff'...

 

I still tend to watch them pop up from time to time on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist and the prices do vary. If you're patient, persistently check, are fast and have cash ready, you can find one pretty cheap. The one selling for $125 in this area has already sold.