Hi all,

I recently picked up a 98 XJ limited for my son.

One of the things wrong is the airbag light is on. Today while working on the truck I noticed the sensor in the center of the radiator support is unplugged.

I guess that might explain the light being on. But does anyone have a quess of why someone would unplug it?
This truck was in a very minor front end collision in its past. I was told the airbag did not deploy.

I don't have a lot of experience with airbags so I am looking for opinions.

I will probably put a battery in it to run it tomorrow. Should I plug it in and see what happens? Or is there something I should test or do first?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Joe W

 

Gotta pic? SRS sensor should be located under the center console.

 

Hey Turbo X J,

I can get a pic tomorrow.

i didn't look this up to verify it was the ab sensor. But I can't think what else it could be.

ill post a pic tomorrow and let you guys tell me.

thanks,
Joe W

 

The sensor at the bottom of the radiator support is for the overhead console temp sensor. Kinda looks like a bullet, 2 wires.

 

Probably.

 

Good morning,

Looks like Ralph77 & BooGTS set me straight on this.
I guessed what that plug was for and was wrong. Sorry for not checking first.

I think it was also wishful thinking that if I plugged it in the airbag light would turn off.

I haven't researched trouble shooting the airbag system yet.
But I have heard about the clock spring being a likely cause of this problem.
Im told it's not a fun job.

Thanks to Ralph77, BooGTs and Turbo X J for your help.

Thanks,
Joe W

 

Piece of cake. Assuming it is the clockspring. Get the loaner steering wheel puller from the auto parts store. This video is for putting cruise in but will let you see how simple this is. Make sure the wheels are straight when you do this. This is so the clockspring is not wound to far to either side. When you watch the video at about 1:40 when he is holding the clockspring in his hand see the hole at about 10 o'clock. When the wheels are straight and you remove the clockspring the two pieces should line so you can see through the hole. Put a piece of mechanics wire or a zip tie there to keep it in position. If when you remove it and you can not see through the hole but only need a little twist to get there do not worry. This is just in case you determine it is not the clockspring.

 

Thanks, Ralph77

That looks like straight forward repair. I have pullers, so I just have to figure out what's going on with the system.
I have a couple other things to do first. But I don't dread the thought of the clock spring being the problem now.

one question. How long does the battery need to be disconnected to disarm the airbag?

thanks again,
Joe

 

Thanks, Ralph77

That looks like straight forward repair. I have pullers, so I just have to figure out what's going on with the system.
I have a couple other things to do first. But I don't dread the thought of the clock spring being the problem now.

one question. How long does the battery need to be disconnected to disarm the airbag?

thanks again,
Joe

 

Sorry about the double post.

 

Thinking 1/2 hour should be more then enough for the capacitors to discharge. Forgot to mention that. Glad somebody is on the ball. LOL.

 

Thanks Ralph,

He mentioned it in the video. And I have heard that before.

just wanted to make sure. I don't like surprises.

and a airbag going off would be a big suprise that I don't need. Haha

Thanks,
Joe W

 

Most of the repair manuals I've read say to wait 5 minutes after disconnecting the battery before doing any repairs that may set off the airbag. Mind you I've only read maybe half a dozen manuals so I can't say how common it is.

 

Surprises. Forgot about that too. When you put everything back together start the car from the passenger seat. Forgot to mention the little things like this that I did when I put cruise control in my '00 that did not come with it.

 

Thanks for for the info. I will give it a little longer, just to be sure. I hope

Joe