98redjeep

My wife just called me said that the airbag light is coming on while driving then going off randomly. This hasn't happened before. My first instinct is maybe the fuse for the airbag is dirty? Is this a common problem that anyone else has had? I haven't had a chance to look at the jeep yet. 98 cherokee classic 4.0 4x4 aw4 np231

CCKen

Could be any number of things.

Is your Air Bag Control Module mounted under the driver's seat? If so, there's a Chrysler TSB that relocates it to under the floor console. Apparently the underseat location is susceptible to corrosion so it got relocated. The TSB relocation is free, just call the dealer.

If it's located under the floor console, the ABCM could be failing or one of the Air Bags is failing.

Edit: Or the clockspring is defective.

caged

does the gauges all go out when this happens?
mine does it all the time in my 99 xj also sometimes in my 99 tj, 97 tj and 00 xj. i usually just smack the dash hard and it all comes back on.

98redjeep

No the gauges keep working, just the airbag light coming on randomly. I have a clockspring on order should be here Tuesday

98redjeep

It got here a day early. Bonus! I just installed it. That was easy! Tomorrow should tell if that was the problem.

98redjeep

OK so the clock spring wasn't the problem. Is there a way to test the air bag module?

Firestorm500

Stop messing with it. Can be dangerous or fatal if you set it off.

Take it to the dealership. There's lots of thing it could be. Throwing random parts at it is not going to fix it economically and safely.

CCKen

You never answered if the ABCM is still located under the driver's seat or under the center console. If under the seat, the dealer will relocate it per the TSB (free). If the ABCM is defective they can address it then.

The dealer has a DRB III tool that can read the mind of the PCM and find out exactly what is wrong.

98redjeep

Sorry, forgot to mention it had already been relocated. That's why I went to the clock spring because I figured it would be the next cheapest thing to try. The dealer has not been my friend in the past. Not looking forward to that.

Firestorm500

Their parts department should be in love with you, however.

98redjeep

No idea what you are talking about. Never bought a part from the dealer. I was reffering to how they charged my mother in law $1200 to fix the blower switch and it still doesn't work.

jonesy311c

I fixed my air bag light 2 years ago with duct tape after I had about a foot of water in it.

Firestorm500

They guarantee their work. Did she not take it back? Did something else happen?

98redjeep

She took it back and so far it still works. But they threw every single part at it in the ventilation system.

extrashaky

The FSM for my Subaru has a series of really entertaining diagrams instructing the technician to stack four tires in a column and put the airbag inside it when working on it so that it the explosion can be contained.