Bought a '94 F-150 today. Saw the SRS light blinking. Didn't realize it was for the air bag system until I got home and started reading the owners manual.

Any ideas?

Also, the horn does not work, and the overdrive lockout button does nothing. Without getting under the dash, I'm wondering if something in the steering column could be causing this.

We're expecting snow tonight, so it might be a few days before I can start working on the truck. I'll start by checking every fuse in the truck, and going from there.

I was reading in the Haynes manual that if I want to remove the air bag from the steering wheel, I need to take it to the dealer. I don't plan to do that. I'll disconnect the battery, of course, before I do anything, unless you guys tell me otherwise.

Other than the above, the 300 six with fuel injection runs good, and is strong. The electronic AOD transmission shifts smooth. Its 4 wheel drive, and the transfer case is smooth and everything is working.

Owning a ford truck again... the front tank gas gauge does not work. Typical Ford. My old 1983 truck had this problem, and I learned to live with it.

 

Sounds like the clock spring failed.

It lives under the steering wheel and connects the controls, including horn and SRS, to the rest of the wiring harness.

 

I was suspecting something like this. I wonder if the clock spring is a dealer item, only?

Thanks for your fast reply!!!

EDIT: Ford is very proud of this clockspring. I'm finding DORMAN units on ebay. Are they any good?

 

TBH I lived with mine blinking 32 from a month or two after I bought it to the day I rolled the truck. That was just short of 18 years. I don't have any data about which is better -- but the OEM did fail with less than 2500 miles on it, because I bought the truck new and it failed not too long after I drove it off the lot.

Simply experimental data -- sample size of one. Use with all due caution.

 

User edo488 just informed us, on another thread, that the OEM part is $250 and O'reilly has them for $50. A clockspring is one electrical part I would trust in the aftermarket. I understand Dorman parts are good also.

 

This is good to know. I checked with O'Reilly's and theirs is Dorman. I'll be getting one from them soon. Gotta buy a wiper motor first.

 

Dorman part # 525-200. Looks like O'Reilly and Auto Zone are the cheapest I can find at $49.99 each. Even Amazon and Rock Auto are more expensive.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...OE0/525200.oap

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...er=688211_0_0_

 

Thanks for all the help on this.

One other question: I can't find the OEM horn(s) on this truck. On my '83 and 84 trucks, it was on the drivers side by the radiator. Am I just not seeing it?

You should hear this silly little horn someone installed here. It's got a hot wire connected directly to the battery. I'm getting rid of that, fast.

 

The horn should be below the battery.

 

Dixie460, I believe is his username, just gave a rundown, for another member, on a "how-to" removing the old clockspring from another Ford truck.

 

Thanks for the information. I'll be able to replace this clockspring. I looked below the battery box, and found the horns!

Gotta make money this week so I can buy these parts. Ugh.