[Guest]

My '94 Aerostar mini-van has had the air bag idiot light blinking for weeks now. Not wanting to pay someone else to fix it, I'd like to do it myself if I can figure out how. Can anyone help me with diagnosing air bag problem?
The air bag idiot light will blink three times, pause, then repeat. It does this constantly when the key is on. This is of course after it runs it's normal initial check.
I had heard something about a clockspring in the steering column behind the air bag. Could this be the problem?

 

[Sweens]

It could be the clock spring md. It could be just about anything. Another indication that the clock spring is bad is inoperative horn and/or cruise control and also a gritty or squealing noise when turning the wheel. If this is the case, a dealer would have to replace it because the air bag would need to be removed to gain access to it. My first step would be to call the dealer and ask if he can tell you what a code 3 or 30 in the air bag system indicates for your particular vehicle. You could also find a loose sesor or a corroded wire leading to one of them. There are 3 crash sensors; one behind the grille and the other two behind each front fender. Good luck!

 

[onefut]

sounds like the clock spring has gone. once fixed or replaced you will probably get another code wich will be the thermal fuse in the control module. there is a thread about it somewhere on this site but not sure where

 

[Since69]

Here's a link to all the codes:

Air Bag Diagnostic Codes

There is no code 3 listed (for '92 and later models). You could be seeing a "33" (flash-flash-flash-pause-flash-flash-flash-long pause) which is a code for the passenger-side air bag.