air bag clock spring(?) replacement, Dodge van

My 2001 van had the air bag light come on last week, then went off, then on a longer drive was mostly on, but turned itself off and back on a couple of times.

Not in the OBD-II stuff, so can't get any info via Torque and my phone. Took it to a shop today, but they tried but couldn't get codes (sounds like they didn't have the correct reader), but they referred me to someone else who may have the correct tool and can look at it next week.

A guy at the place I was referred to did hazard that mostly on all the time, but a little intermittent sounded like a bad clock spring.

So... I have two questions; one, is this a slam dunk, and do I need to pay the folks with the mobile scan unit to come confirm it (not sure what that costs, though hopefully not heinous)? Two, any references for general info about air bag stuff?

I have that problem where most manuals and such just tell you to take it to the dealer. I don't think it's voodoo, and clock springs are easily available (heck, on Amazon...). I don't want to waste money farming out something easy, but I also don't want to save $50 if it's sketchy as a DIY item (either in terms of being sure it works or having an air bag go off in your face if you're mucking about without the right tools).

Any info greatly appreciated.

A Snap-On MT-2500 (red brick) will read Airbag codes on a 2001 Dodge Van. This is a $400 scanner on the used market, and every corner garage should have one that is its equal or better.

I would suggest finding a better garage to read the codes.

Those had a recall clockspring around that time. Since it is a safety item, it is a free lifetime repair at the dealer even after it is "fixed".

If your horn and cruse work. Its not the clock spring. And you will need a Pro tool for any other problems.

I will second the "Check for a recall." statement. Free is good.

Ranger50 wrote: Those had a recall clockspring around that time. Since it is a safety item, it is a free lifetime repair at the dealer even after it is "fixed".

Yup! Give the local dealer a call with your VIN and make sure the recall has even been applied. If it has, they should still hook you up, and if it hasn't, they're required to.

Hrm... Looks like there were Dodge products with such a recall, but not the van. At least not according to Teh Googles...

Perhaps I'll double-check with the dealer anyhow...

Doesn't seem like the kind of thing that should be hard to find out

EDIT: It's not hard to find out the NHTSA has a searchable list. My 2001 Dodge had a recall for the column shift, but that's it.

It's $50 to have a dealer check codes and make a recommendation. I would start with that. They're also most likely place in town to have a clue about what parts/labor would be required to fix it the first try.

Bryce

I would just try your horn and cruise buttons when the airbag light is acting up. If 2 or all 3 act up at any time id say a clockspring is a safe bet. I did one in my mom's old van. It's not particularly hard or anything.

Wish it wasn't such a pain to get to a dealer; the place that will come to me whose number I got from the shop is compelling on that front. OTOH, $50 is very reasonable if it's the difference between getting a reliable answer and not.

Presently, after a few more hours driving around, the light is still off. The horn works (no CC [EDIT: the van has no CC, not that it has CC which doesn't work]).

Now I'm annoyed because I don't entirely trust it, but I also don't know whether it still has codes stored or whether the shop's failed attempt to read the codes which turned the light off also cleared the codes...

Less fun to pay to have the codes tried if I just have to wait for the light to come on and do it again...

I get clock springs from the yards for $5 and their easy to replace, so if that is your problem, thats what you have to look forward to.