That Dang Air Bag Light

About 6 months ago my SRS light came on. I bought a scanner that could check and reset the light. It showed a open in the D Squib circuit. Common problem "clock spring" I took the clock spring out and tested for an open circuit. Couldn't find a problem so I figured I would throw it together and order a clock spring. To my surprise the light was off and everything worked as normal until the other day.

My battery was getting weak so I figured I would put a new one in before it let me down. I bought a high end NorthStar battery. Took the old one out, put the new one in. To my surprise the SRS light was on.

Figured the clock spring had an intermittent problem that just manifested itself with the strong battery. Today I took the clock spring out and checked continuity. It checked ok. Again I put the clock spring back in and figured I would order a new one. To my surprise the light is working as it should again.

Not looking for any info, just sharing what is going on. I will run it until or if the light comes on. If it comes on, I will pull it apart again and check things out. The cheapest the OEM clock spring is about $200 not that interested in throwing a $50 knock off in.

Electrical problems can be interesting!!!

 

Just a wild thought here....perhaps the problem is actually what it says it is.

 

I love raw data and brutal honesty.

 

You can do continuity tests all day on the clock spring till your volt meter blows up... You have to TURN THE WHEEL to see where the break is at in the unit.

 

Had the clock spring in my hand. Checked continuity full right, full left and center.

I just find it odd that it worked as it should for 6 months then went bad when battery was replaced and is now working as it should again.

It's not necessarily the clock spring. It could be connection points going into or out of the spring. The connection at the wiring harness side not the clock spring side.

 

@sflips is making good points and standing strong. I like this.

 

You have to use a lab scope... You could have the smalls jumps the volt meter will not pick up the scope will.. what is known as drop out.

 

Pretty sure the percentage of forum members that have access to a lab scope is quite small. Most of us use hand tools out of the garage. Any way I checked the continuity with an Ohm meter. I was under the impression that the SRS system should not be worked on with the battery connected.

That being said, I'm sure you are right. Voltage fluctuations would make the system do strange things. Wouldn't matter if it was happening in the clock spring or the connections.

 

Just take the bulb out and send it. Real men don't need no airbags.

 

why not spend a fraction of the price on a used junkyard clockspring then?

 

I had the same problem when i changed out my battery. it turned out to be a seperate line to the battery that is used by the airbag seonsors. Check that out, or do some research. It took me two weeks of agnoy before i took the truck into hte dealer. It took the dealer 2 hours to figure it out. I wolld love to know if that is your problem!
Zlaneb

 

For clarification purposes, in your case, the ‘seperate airbag sensor line’ to the battery for the sensors was somehow broken during your prior battery change causing your ensuing problem?

 

Mines still off. That ‘seperate airbag sensor line’ is interesting.

 

..

 

@TX-TRD1stGEN thanks, that's great info.