After finding the cruise control mechanicals fouled on the Kid's Rangie causing the idle to rise, and fixing a similar problem on my truck, my cruise control clearly does not like me! It appears as though the switch to engage the cruise control is not working. With only 182K miles on the truck, and the past 70K being mainly long-distance commuting, the cruise control gets quite the workout, and it is probably reasonable for the switch to have died-it did last far longer than the brake light switch:flipoff2: .

Unlik the brake light switch though, in depth diagnostics of the switches require me to work in close proximity to the steering wheel mounted air bag. Given that the cruise control is intimately involved with the vehicle speed sensor, it is difficult to test components in a static setting. With my being a major pussy when it comes to air bags, my dilemma is compounded.

Has anyone removed the steering wheel air bag? How about replacing the switches on the wheel?

I bypassed the switch on the wheel, but found it to have no impact and I'm beginning to wonder if the switches need to be energized to engage the relays. Per usual, the wiring diagrams I have do not adequately describe the circuitry.

Any comments? Suggestions?


Peace,
Paul
Cruise control dependent commuter

There's a procedure the dealers use to "safe" the airbag system for times when they have to work around the steering column and on the electrical system. It's not as simple as just pulling all the fuses - the bag igniter system needs to be isolated or grounded (or something...).

I don't know the details and I'm sure the LRNA network wouldn't tell you. Being an independent shop, do you have access to the ALLDATA system ? You could probably find out there. That, or buy one of your local dealer mechanics a few beers and talk out of school.

Be damn careful of it though....

keith
:usa:

Originally posted by Discosaurus
There's a procedure the dealers use to "safe" the airbag system for times when they have to work around the steering column and on the electrical system. It's not as simple as just pulling all the fuses - the bag igniter system needs to be isolated or grounded (or something...).

I don't know the details and I'm sure the LRNA network wouldn't tell you. Being an independent shop, do you have access to the ALLDATA system ? You could probably find out there. That, or buy one of your local dealer mechanics a few beers and talk out of school.

Be damn careful of it though....

keith
:usa:

I'm too cheap to subscribe to alldata, maybe some day.

Safe mode- As my day job company forces me to take classes on safe air bag handling, I'm even more frightened! At the plants where we make the seats, etc, the air bag deployent modules are kept in a chain-link enclosure to control the damage should a catstrophic accident occur. Every once in awhile, somebody gets burned when one spontaneously deploys-I'm glad I didn't get the corporate gig!

Local dealer is 120 miles away, part of the reason for my success:flipoff2: ;)

I am glad you share my concerns and respect for the air bags.

From reviewing the prices for the clockspring, etc. it looks as though there will be more switches hanging out of the dash on my truck. Whaddayaexpect for 182K miles:flipoff2:

I need to PM you about steering parts.

Peace,
Paul

I replaced the whole light switch assembly on my wife's Disco and removed the steering wheel to do it. I asked around about the air bag (SRS) system and was told by a friend of a friend of a friend who worked at a dealership that it should be de-energized for awhile before working on the system. (oh boy!) I disconnected the battery and let it sit for a day or so and then went to work. I didn't have any problems and it all went back together fine. Don't know if this is the proper way but it worked for me. I do have to admit it felt like I was handling a bomb!

Mike

I'm beginning to think I should just set the damned thing off (while wearing my safety glasses, etc.) and not worry about it. I can't have my truck down for that period of time (I'd have to fix my other trucks!) to allow the capacitors to discharge.

ARGH!

I have pulled many aribags for the exact same reason you are doing it. At the dealer, we never pulled fuses, or used any other procautions, aside from be gentle, and do not disconect the airbag wiring. I have only seen on airbag go off on a tech, and he was fine. We used to take defective bags out back, and set them off, it was pretty fun, as well as the SRS seat belts, they make a nice bang.

Thanx KC! Pirate board triumphs again.

I take it that failures of these switches is fairly common on high mileage trucks? To remove the air bag, do I just pull the two screws from behind and pull forward?

The wife sets them off all the time on total losses she investigates to keep them from being harvested and resold...

Peace,
Paul

Originally posted by Puffdragon
I have pulled many aribags for the exact same reason you are doing it. At the dealer, we never pulled fuses, or used any other procautions, aside from be gentle, and do not disconect the airbag wiring. I have only seen on airbag go off on a tech, and he was fine. We used to take defective bags out back, and set them off, it was pretty fun, as well as the SRS seat belts, they make a nice bang.

How do you set off an airbag? (besides having a head-on with a cement wall).

Id rather set mine off in the driveway, than out on a ledge at moab after bumping a rock.