Airbag light won't turn off

[misolith]

What are the best ways to test if a replacement clockspring is functional?

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by misolith

What are the best ways to test if a replacement clockspring is functional?

The easiest way is to install it and then try to reset the codes. If they do not reset then there is still a problem.

To test the clocksping with a multimeter, you want to test for continuity from the D18 steering column connector to the two airbag connectors. You also want to check for shorts between the pins.

In the picture below, you can see the four pins on the left side connector, which are the airbag squib connections. In this view they go from 4 to 1 from left to right. At the bottom of the connector you can see two additional pins with two spring metal clips above them. They are safety pins, which short pins 1 to 2 together to disable the primary airbag squib when the connector is removed. To test the spiral cable with the connector disconnected you need to slide a little piece of plastic between the spring clips and the pins to open them up. Once you have done so you can test for continuity.

Pin 4 (left most in picture) connects to the yellow/red wire on the black connector
Pin 3 connects to the yellow/green wire on the black connector
Pin 2 connects to the yellow wire on the orange connector
Pin 1 (right most in picture) connects to the yellow/black wire on the orange connector

With the multimeter you should see continuity (0 ohms in resistance setting between the two ends of each of the 4 connections).


Airbag connector.jpg