Dodge Caravan Air Bag Light

Air bag, cruise control and horn are not working

Aug 7, 2006 Vincent Ciulla

This week I got a question about a Dodge Caravan with an AIR Bag problem and a question about gas pumps at the filling station.

2000 Dodge Caravan ABS Light

Question:

2000 Dodge Caravan. The other day my light for my air bag came on, but I noticed when it came on my cruise control stopped working and my horn doesn't work when I push on it. However the horn does work when you set off the alarm. Is it a fuse that's gone bad and if so which one is it.

Thanks for all your help.Christy

Answer:

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.

Gas Pumps At The Filling Station

Question:

Quick question, I ride a scooter. When I pull up to a pump that has 3 grades and one nozzle, how much gas is delivered before the grade I want is actually coming out? I use 92 and sometimes I only put in a half gallon. If the person before me uses 87 grade wouldn't most of it be 87 before my 92 starts?

Thanks to anyone that can answer this question...

Answer:

On most gas pumps the actual pump mechanism is fairly low in the housing so there may be over a quart of the previous fuel in the lines between the pump and nozzle. 99.99% of the time this is not an issue, but in your case it will change the octane of the fuel you use. So the thing to do to insure you get the 92 octane fuel you want is to go to a gas station that has a separate hose for each grade or but a 5 gallon gas can, fill it with the 92 octane and use that to fill the tank of your scooter.

If you have a question or comment for me, you can e-mail me at autotechrepair at suite101.com.

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