Had some work done by a shop, they made a comment about "the truck will be ready as soon as the tech puts the steering wheel back on" and then when I got it back, the airbag light flashes a few times and then stays on permanantly, the cruise control doesn't work, and my horn doesn't work. I have a feeling there is a connector or ground wire that runs all three that isn't connected, or was broken. I don't trust the shop (did a few other less than stellar things) but I don't know that its worth the labor charges for Ford to fix it, and I don't know if I want to mess around with it and risk not being covered by the original shop's warranty for repairing it etc ...

Any suggestions, anyone have experience with the wiring inside the steering column that could give me some insight on what I'm looking for/at ?

Thanks

Rob

 

If it was mine I would take it back to the shop that did the work and tell them what is wrong with it and tell them you went it FIXED! Tell that it was all working befor they work on it and now it does not.I know you said that you dont trust them but I would make them fix it Then stop useing them.JMHO

 

the longer you wait to take it back... the more they can dispute that they didnt create the problem. See if they'll let you be there as they fix the problem. don't tell them flat out that you dont trust them, as they may get offended and actually deliberatly do something

Go back ASAP!!!

 

They probably broke the clockspring. It's a fairly expensive part.

 

Most likely, the shop just forgot to reconnect the several electrical connectors (including the one for the air bag) that reside under the air bag module, just in front (toward the driver) of the steering wheel itself.


To check:

1) Disconnect both cables to the truck's battery and wait several minutes!!! This is very important!!! If you disconnect/connect the air bag connector with the battery connected, even with the ignition key off, you could deploy the bag! Waiting is required to discharge the temporary power storage capacitor for the air bag!

2) On the back side (toward dashboard) of the steering wheel are two small plastic plugs capping holes. Pry them out gently. Then remove the screws under them. The air bag will now lift off.

3) There are several connectors under the bag. They are color coded, and keyed, so you cannot connect them incorrectly. The air bag wire connector should have a little metal clip on the steering wheel it slips into once both ends are snapped together.

If this is your problelm, it will both be very obvious when you remove the air bag, and fixed when you reconnect the wires. The air bag warning light may or may not go out after the repair, however. If you get your horn and cruise back, and the airbag light still stays on, you will need to have a dealer or anyone with an OBD-II scanner reset (clear) the DTC (diagnostic trouble code) for the airbag.

If the wires are found to be connected when you remove the air bag, then the shop not only removed the steering wheel, they messed with the "clockspring" mechanism that lives under the wheel. The problem could be as simple as an improperly reinstalled mechanism. Or they may have broke something.

If you are reasonably handy with a screwdriver, I would check for loose wires under the airbag. That fix is easy. If the wires are connected, you should go back to the repair shop and make them fix it right. It is dangerous to drive with an airbag that may be partially connected, and your car will never pass periodic inspection (if your state requires it) without a working horn, and with a flashing air bag warning light.

 

Thanks for the info...

Rob