Last week my airbag light started flashing 3 times pausing for about two seconds then flashing 2 more times. Then it pauses for about 5 seconds and starts the cycle again. Is there anything I can do other than taking it to the dealership.

1994 F150 4x4 97,000 miles

 

Hey, there, buddy...I think I can help.

My truck does this same exact thing and this question has been asked before. Apparently it is your clock spring inside your steering column. Typically this goes bad (I guess). Another sure fire way to make certain this is it is to know whether or not your horn and/or cruise control have stopped functioning. If so...that's the problem. I didn't know this beforehand and went out and bought a new air bag sensor to the tune of $80 per the suggestion of an auto body shop. Didn't fix it. And I couldn't return it because it was an electrical item. The b4stards. Oh, BTW, I think I'm flashing the same codes. Although mine may be 4...2...

But the clock spring surely isn't cheap either, and it's a job to remove (although directions HAVE been posted).

A lot of people have this light blinking and it drives them crazy. Many cover the area w/ black elec. tape and/or remove the light bulb. It doesn't bother me a bit so I let it be.

NJK

 

I went out and checked and my cruise control and horn both work just fine. I may just pull the bulb out, hate to pull the dash apart just for that but my insturments are all covered in dust and need cleaned anyway.

 

Yeah, my horn and cruise both work fine, too...but I don't know what else it could be. I imagine a short circuit could happen very easily.

After thinking about it, I don't think the clockspring replacement is that hard...just pulling the wheel off, really. But I also dunno how much the piece costs. Pulling the bulb or taping over it may fix it well enough. But, you may also not have the [in]convenience of an airbag if you're ever in a collision.

NJK

 

I have a 94 Bronco, and my airbag light had been flashing for about two years. Then about 3 months ago my horn and cruise control stopped working. Sure enough the clock spring had gone bad. I went down to the local ford dealer and bought the clock spring (about $95). They wanted about $300 to install it though! I took it home, and installed it in about 45 minutes...very easy to do, but you gotta be careful since you have to remove the airbag. If you don't feel comfortable about removing the airbag, take it to the dealer.

-Darren