Airbag light flashes

[mob]

Hey guys, I just got done putting my rack and pinion back on and connected the steering shaft. Now when I start my car every couple seconds the air bag light will flash two times and then stay off for about 15 seconds then do it again. What is causing this? Is there any chance of the air bag going off in my face? Please help I am afraid to drive it till I turn this light off.

 

[stang&2Birds]

What year Stang is it? Is it a 89-91?
Mustang 90-91 Air Bag Diagnostic Codes


Or, 92-93?
Mustang 1992 Air Bag Diagnostic Codes



Basically, a Code 2 means: (from my Ford Air Bag supplement manual) All primary sensors are disconnected from the wiring harness. Or, the main wiring harness is not connected with the engine wiring harness (whatever exactly that means ).

And, the ONLY way that a first gen air bag will explode when it's installed in the steering wheel is if some moron yanks the wires that go to the air bag, strips them, and connects them to a battery that has at least ~7V. The Mustang air bag system is SUPER SAFE! If anything, it's overly constrained in when the air bag will be deployed.

Good Luck!

 

[mob]

Alright cool thanks man, I am pretty sure it flashed two times but the second I saw it turn on I moved my head out of the car waiting for it to explode haha, but I did see it begin to flicker again. At least I feel a little more comfortable now but I am going to make sure that was the code. I wonder where the air bag harness connects too, I did mess with a lot of wiring, might have touched something I shouldnt have.

Oh its a 93, sorry.

 

[stang&2Birds]

A 93 will flash a two-digit code.
Did you let the steering wheel turn while you where replacing the steering shaft? My best guess is that the clock-spring broke. If the steering wheel turns too much, it'll break. Also, just from the age and use, the clock-springs in Fox stangs are at risk of breaking.

The clock-spring is under the steering wheel. Unfortunately, you can't buy them new anymore. So, IMHO, *I* would suggest calling up PPI or cjponyparts We Install - CJ Pony Service Department and try to get a clock-spring from a low mileage car.

 

[stang&2Birds]

connected the steering shaft.

So, you where the one responsible for my MEGA POS Flaming River Steering shaft to start clicking. Oh well, I never liked that POS steering shaft anyways. In case my zillion posts about that cr*p design wasn't a good enough indication,

So, on Monday night, I ordered a MM steering shaft with two-day ship so I can do the install over this long weekend. Yea, $40 S&H for 2-day ship - OUCH!

And to add insult to injury, CJponyParts has a 15% sale and they sell MM stuff. IMHO, they are the BEST place to get MM stuff. I've ordered a bunch of MM stuff through them. Great company. But, they drop-ship most (?all?) of their MM stuff and that takes an extra 5-7 days. Oh well.

If you have a Flaming River steering shaft, then it likely gave cooties to your air-bag system. If you're not careful, you'll get them also!

BTW, I ordered my MM steering shaft from latemodelrestoration since they have the steering shafts in stock and will do a 2-day ship. MM doesn't do express shipping.

Good Luck!

 

[mob]

I just used the stock steering shaft. Now that I think about it though while I was turning the wheel I felt a crack inside the wheel, that must have been the spring you speak off. How hard is it to replace this spring, what does it actually do? Is it ok to drive the car without it? I also put the steering wheel on upside down

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

The clockspring carries the wiring for the airbag, horn, and cruise control buttons (if equipped) so if it breaks you lose all of those functions. It's very easy to replace but good lucking finding a used one that isn't damaged.

 

[mob]

Ok, thanks, Looks like I am going to have to live without those things for now, now you say it is easy to change, do I need to remove the steering wheel?