I don't know what really happened, but anyway...

I was slowing down to stop at a stop sign, I stopped, then went to take off & my 'air bag' light on the gauge cluster started blinking like 4 times maybe then it stayed on.

But now, everytime I start my truck it will blink like 4 times kinda slow, then stay on. I've checked the fuse for it, it's fine. My cruise control doesn't work now also because of that.

And ideas?

Brenton

 

is your CC fuse still intact?

 

Watch the light carefully when you key up and it should blink out a code sequence. There is no such code as 4-4 but 4-6 and 4-7 are common for 2001-up. Post it here when you get it.

Since your cruise and airbag failed at the same time, you may have a broken clockspring ribbon cable. It is easy for the clockspring to get out of time when working on the steering.

 

Check what bob said, the clockspring. Especially since you worked on the steering (axle swap) on your truck, it could have overspun. This happens when the steering wheel is "over turned" and the ribbon gets torn/ripped, it's a semi-easy fix.

 

yeah my clock spring broke after the axle swap.

 

It has got to be that. How much are they & what can prevent this from happening again?

Brenton

 

To prevent it from happening again, make sure your wheels are pointed straight when you remove the steering wheel, and make sure they're pointed straight when you replace the steering wheel. As far as how to fix it... I'm not sure. I remember Jey did this too when he did his axle swap.

 

Did you get the Restraints flash code yet? Given your recent modifications, there is a good chance that the clockspring is damaged but you don't know for sure. I wouldn't tear into the airbag/steering wheel/clockspring without confirmation that you have a DS airbag code. Another clue could be that the horn also does not work.


Actually, it's not about the steering wheel. It is about maintaining the "timing" between the clockspring and the aim of the front wheels. The steering wheel itself can be removed and replaced without affecting the clockspring.


Aim the steering wheel and steering (front wheels) straight ahead and centered before breaking the connection between the steering column shaft and the steering rack pinion. When it's time to reconnect the steering, do so with the steering components in the same orientation. You also must make sure that the steering wheel hasn't been turned one or more complete revolutions in either direction while it was disconnected.

The clockspring assembly contains a spool of flexible plastic ribbon with several electrical conductors on it. The spool winds and unwinds within its cassette as the steering is moved. This allows the steering wheel to turn while maintaining multiple electrical connections for the air bag, cruise, horn and illumination. If it is not timed correctly to the aim of the front wheels, the ribbon will be damaged while turning. Too tight will cause it to break immediately when turning sharply to the left; too loose and it can kink or chafe while turning right, causing it to fail later.

If the clockspring gets out of time because the steering column shaft was rotated while disconnected, there is a shop manual procedure to reset it to the correct position before reassembly. This won't help after the ribbon is damaged though.

 

Yes, the horn doesn't work either. How much is a new part? Do I need any 'special' tools?

Brenton

 

I think the clockspring is about $50. Be sure to get the right one for a cruise control equipped truck. You will need a 2 jaw universal puller to remove the steering wheel. Be sure to disconnect the battery.

The clockspring should come from Ford with it set in the right postion for straight ahead wheels/tires. To prevent another broken clockspring, that's how the wheels must be when the steering is disassembled. The clocksprings I've seen have centering instructions on them.