Have an 96 F-150, with the air bag light flashing on and off. Does anyone have a reason for this happening? Would appreciate any replies on this matter. Thank you in advance for all.

 

There could be many reasons but for me it was a broken clock spring. The horn and cruise also went out shortly after the air bag light started flashing. Good luck......Van

 

If it is flashing in a sequence then you have a failure in your airbag system. The flashes are a code. Count the flashes adn spaces and ask your dealer about the code.

 

Yep, it's the clock spring. I'm still flipping my coin. To fix it or not. I don't use the truck much anymore. It just sits. Why should I look at $300 sittin' over there when it'll look just as good sittin' in the bank. For as much as I use it, I don't need the accessorys.
Tom

 

I just bought an Expedition and I'm having the same problem.........the air bag light flashes and the horn doesn't work. what is this clock spring u guys are talking about? Is it easy to replace?? thanks!

Rick

 

NewExpeditionOwner, The clock spring is a flat ribbon cable wound in a housing behind the steering wheel. It is the contact between the column and the wheel controls. Easy to replace, but you must disconnect the battery for 30 minutes to discharge the energy in the airbag system. You need a steering wheel puller to remove the wheel.

If the clock spring is bad, you will (in time) lose cruisr control and horn.

You can pick these up in a junk yard but they may be bad also.

 

Yeah. That's what I say. How do you know the one from the boneyard is good?
Tom

 

Yep...........my cruise and my horn don't work......I can't believe I bought this and didn't even check them!! ahahaa! oh well, I'm glad u guys told me what i need!!! thanks!

rick

 

yeh me too I bought my truck without checking the horn either, but I found out on the way home I thought I would try the cruise, nope didn't work tried the horn didn't work either, I checked the fuses under the hood and the fuse was burned out, probably from the worn out clockspring, anyone have a link to some info on how to fix it yourself? thanks Randy

 

I went and talked to my local dealer and another mechanic who said it's fairly easy to do. You just disconnect the battery. there is a big yellow wire under the dash below the steering column that's for the airbag, you need to unplug that too.....take the screws off the back off the steering wheel that will remove the airbag.....get a steering wheel puller and pull the wheel.....u can rent them at any retail auto parts store....and it will get u to the clock spring.....make sure your wheels are straight before u pull wheel.....I'm doing mine tomorrow......I'll let ya know how it goes!!!

Rick

 

Yeah, Rick (NewExpeditionOwner), let me know how difficult it was and how it turns out.

 

thanks Rick, your info will be greatly appreciated, do you have to take out the ignition switch?

 

I don't think so...I'll let you know tomorrow night......I ordered my clock spring and it only cost me $46.....I got a new friend at the Ford parts shop!! ahahaah!! It suppose to be in tomorrow and I hope to get to put it tomorrow night!!

Rick

 

ok.......I got the clock spring in........but i messed up and broke the steering wheel.....aahahaha!! Ya I know..That's a $100. item!!...It wasn't that hard at all but what happened to me when I was using the 2 jaw puller was I had put the puller center shaft against the the steering wheel splines instead of on the steering shaft......hence when I was cracking down the puller it was pulling the steering wheel against itself and broke away the splines from the wheel.......I hope I didn't confuse anyone!! ahaha! Just be careful when u are pulling the wheel......I couldn't use the old style puller where u thread a couple of bolts into the wheel and u are good to go....it had to be a hook type puller....like a pitman arm puller but not as big....Here's the order I did my clock spring: MAKE SURE YOUR FRONT WHEELS AND STEERING WHEEL ARE STRAIGHT!!

1) dis-connect the battery
2) removed the lower and plastic dash, unscrew the plastic pieces that go around the column too. There is another plastic piece that's on top of the steering column that needs to be popped off.
3) remove the two screws on the back side of the steering wheel that hold on the air bag assembly and unplug it
4) There were 3 plugs at the end of the wire harness on the old clock spring that I had to unplug under the dash.
5) remove the large torx head screw from the steering shaft that holds the steering wheel on.
6) remove the steering wheel with puller
7) remove the black ignition cover that your key goes in, it just pops off
8) unplug the wire that plugs into your ignition switch
9) You should be able to remove the old clock spring now
10) Make sure u put the top at the top.........it's marked......
11) Now put it back together and u should be good to go!!

Don't think u can just remove the round thingy and use the old wire harness....it's all one piece!!! This instructions were from installation on a 1999 Expedition........not sure if they differ from year to year.......but I would think it's basically the same! I was able to get my clock spring for $36. from the dealer......they list for $54...I've read on the forum that its been costing around $300., it's well worth it to do it yourself!! Just make sure u have the right tools. That was my biggest problem was finding the right tools. You will need a big torx bit........not sure what size it is but it's bigger than anything I had!! good luck!!

Rick

 

sorry to here about your steering wheel delema, I've had stuff like that happen to myself, so I know where your coming from when you say HaHaHaHa!!!!anyway thanks for been the guinea pig, that info is great, I have to do my 1994 f150, and was wondering about doing it myself, does that airbag come out as one unit(do you think a guy could leave it out) they kind of give me the creeps.was the old clockspring worn through, what appeared to be worn out on it? thanks again Rick