The airbag light is on in my 98 Dodge Grand Caravan...what does it mean?

Question

The airbag light on my dash is on all the time. It seems as though it happened a few days after my husband installed a new CD player for me, but it didn't happen immediately. Is it dangerous to not have it checked? I need to get my van inspected ASAP too (it expired last month!) and I have a feeling that a warning light being on will kill my inspection. Any help is appreciated!

Oh...also, the Owner's Manual just says that if it stays on I should have it checked out. Lots of help that was!

~*~I'd like to add (for those of you have implied it) that my husband isn't an idiot and knows how to install car stereos. The only wiring that was touched was that that came from the original stereo. He's plenty competent and I don't appreciate folks degrading his knowledge!~*~

Answer 1

the owner's manual tells you to have it checked out because it is under the impression that someone didn't goof-up a new CD installation and tampered with wiring. Of course it's going to tell you that.

If your husband doesn't know how to re-wire the CD Player to see if the light goes off, it would be a good idea to have it checked out at the dealership.

I don't think it's going to affect your inspection though.

Good Luck!

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Answer 2

There is a device inside the steering wheel called a Clockspring. Basically it looks like the main spring of a watch. It's purpose is to insure perfect electrical contact with the airbag module in the steering wheel. Wiring for the horn and cruise control also go through the Clockspring. When the Clockspring goes bad you lose horn, cruise control and the airbag light comes on.

On 10/5/2004 a Motor Vehicle Recall, number 04V480000 was issued on this vehicle for this problem. From the recall bulletin:

Summary:

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY BECOME DISABLED DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE CLOCKSPRING, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE HUB OF THE STEERING WHEEL.

Consequence:

THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.

Remedy:

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL COVERED VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. FOR THOSE VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 70,000 MILES, DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL OFFER AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY UNDER WHICH IT WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING AT NO CHARGE IF IT FAILS. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

So at this point you should call your Dodge Dealer and make an appointment to have the recall performed on your vehicle.

The great thing about recalls is that they're FREE to repair!

Answer 3

The light is on for one of two reasons:
1. There's something wrong with the airbag system
2. When your husband wired up the CD player, he screwed up something under the dash such that the car computer *thinks* there's something wrong with the airbag system.

Either way, you need to have it looked at by someone competent (i.e. not your husband). If the airbag is not functioning, it won't protect you in an accident. Alternatively, if the warning light is malfunctioning, you won't be able to tell if the airbag does develop a problem.

Answer 4

U should always get things checked out by a certified mechanic, but the cd player shouldn't have anything to do with the airbag light. Check under the passenger seat for a loose connection, the airbag sensor is usaully under the pass. seat. it may have gotten smashed by something under the seat. And again get it checked. ASAP

Answer 5

The light is indicating that there is a malfunction in the air bag system and it may not work if you are in an accident. It could be a loose wire or a bad sensor. For your safety you need to take it to a dealer as it is not a do it yourself repair job. Not knowing what state you live in I don't know if the inspection would require it.

Answer 6

i own a repair shop ,and one of the sensors on it has gone bad,it has several ,including two on the bottom of the vehicle that help set the air bag off on it,this does not mean it wont work if you get in a accident,it still will go off,and its not going to blow up in your face either,this is just a warning built in to it to tell you that there is a faulty sensor on it,and it could malfunction if you got in to an accident,so id take it and have it checked and replaced before too long ,because it may be what saves your life someday,good luck,i hope this helps.

Answer 7

there's slightly called the belt tensioner pulley. that's spring loaded, to save the belt tight. because the spring a at the same time as, it receives free and motives the belt to squeal. replace the tensioner AND the belt. that's a quite straightforward job, if you're accessible, you may do it your self. The elements will run about $80-one hundred at any automobile elements save. At a storage, assume to pay about $one hundred and fifty-2 hundred to have it fastened.

Answer 8

Chances are, 1 or more of the sensors in the body of the vehicle is bad, or your computer needs to be reset.( disconnect battery for 10 -20 minutes, then just reconnect) GOOD LUCK!