"air bag" light in 2001 Durango

Hello, my wife drives our '01 Durango on a regular basis. Last weekend I was driving it and the 'air bag' light in the cluster would come on with a tone periodically then go off. It didn't seem to have any set time frame. Sometimes longer between coming on. Then after a while it stopped coming on. Once I shut off the vehicle and restarted it would do it again. Any opinions on what would cause this and what to look for?? Thanks in advance for any help. Kevin

IIRC I think those had issues with the clock spring.

Worth a call to the dealer in your area to see if it's under a recall. I think some models were but don't recall which.

Probibly a clock spring but get the codes read first. That model doesnt show any recalls that I see. Does the cruise and horn still work?

On my 2001 Caravan it has been the clock spring every time the airbag light has come on. Three times now and counting. The horn and cruise stopped working only once. The other times they continued to work. I agree - read the codes first as it doesn't take much to do and will save you if it is something else.

No CEL codes at this time. The cruise works intermittently. Steering wheel radio controls don't work. Haven't tried the horn. I have a service manual. I'll have to see what you are referring to, in terms of a clock spring. Is this an electrical connection to the steering wheel? Thanks for the replies so far.

It's what provides the electrical connection to the steering wheel. It's located under the steering wheel. If you are going to change it yourself make sure you follow the directions in the service manual.
Here is the Desctription of the clockspring from the service manual.



The clockspring assembly is secured with two screws onto the multi-function switch mounting housing near the top of the steering column behind the steering wheel (Clockspring and Multi-Function Switch). The clockspring consists of a flat, round molded plastic case with a stubby tail that hangs below the steering column and contains two connector receptacles that face toward the instrument panel. Within the plastic housing is a spool-like molded plastic rotor with a large exposed hub. The upper surface of the rotor hub has a large center hole, two large flats, an engagement dowel with a yellow rubber boot, a short pigtail wire with connector, and two connector receptacles that face toward the steering wheel. The lower surface of the rotor hub has a molded plastic turn signal cancel cam with two lobes that is keyed to the rotor and is secured there with four integral snap features. Within the plastic case and wound around the rotor spool is a long ribbon-like tape that consists of several thin copper wire leads sandwiched between two thin plastic membranes. The outer end of the tape terminates at the connector receptacles that face the instrument panel, while the inner end of the tape terminates at the pigtail wire and connector receptacles on the hub of the clockspring rotor that face the steering wheel.

Service replacement clocksprings are shipped pre-centered and with a locking pin that snaps into a receptacle on the rotor and is engaged between two tabs on the upper surface of the rotor case. The locking pin secures the centered clockspring rotor to the clockspring case during shipment, but the locking pin must be removed from the clockspring after it is installed on the steering column.
The clockspring cannot be repaired. If the clockspring is faulty, damaged, or if the driver airbag has been deployed, the clockspring must be replaced.

Thanks Todd. I appreciate the info.

Been searching online for a clock spring. Seems to be a dealer part. Called and was told $200. I did find a new one on the bay for $150. You can get clock springs for other makes, but not Mopar aftermarket. Grrrr

car-part.com has used ones for $50 or so

kwhmopar1 I believe it is available as a doorman part at your local parts chain. The one for my 2001 caravan is available and costs something like $30.

I called my good old fashioned mom & pops auto parts. The guy mentioned Dorman carrying them also. He looked it up on Dorman's site and it's not available. I found a used one on the bay but hate to trust a used part like that. I'f I am going through all the trouble I want to know I'm putting in a good part. Thanks for the advice though.

no go

http://www.dormanproducts.com/search.aspx?SearchTerm=clock%20spring&pagenum=1

Bummer! Unfortunately, its looking like you'll be on the hook with Ma Mopar for one. I would have thought those would be available from Dorman. Must be a ton more Caravans out there than Durangos. I wouldn't want to trust a used on either!

I bought one off of ebay. Waiting for it to be delivered. Thanks again for the help. Kevin

Prior to an airbag deployment..........the "clockspring" is the ONLY moving part within the system. It basically winds and then unwinds as you go from lock-to-lock with the steering wheel. Usually wiring gets frag'd over time and an intermittent occurs.

Traditonally, the horn used "sliprings". That's like a copper metal ring on the column side and then a metal button/rod that slips/lock in, rode against from the hornpad side. This maintains conductivy good enough for a horn but an airbag system need 100% "wired in" connectivity.

I've changed many of those clocksprings on a GM product. The main thing is to have the airbag unplugged (#1 most major important step), wheel centered/steering straight ahead and you'll need one of those steering/lock compresser tools to pull a snapring and lift the lockplate that the igntion columnlock engages too. If yours is built that way.

Toughest part was feeding it down the conduit of the column. Really.

Clock spring repair was a success. I was curious and disassembled the old part. There is 13' of ribbon wire wound up in there. Interesting design. Thanks again for the advice. Oh Dean, the wires don't need fishing down the column on this vehicle. Thankfully. Kevin