2002 Mountaineer Airbag Light

[kimba78]

My airbag light comes on and blinks a number of times before staying on. I took it to the dealer and had it diagnosed and it's saying they need ot put a clock spring on it. Is there anyway to tell by the number of times it blinks what it truly means? I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing before paying them $400

 

[mtucci]

The flashes are actually a code. Airbag light (or RIL) will flash a two sets of numbers that three times before it will stay solid. Combined the number represents a certain restraints fault. For instance, it flashes once, a delay, and then nine more times = 19. That's a front drive airbag fault. To find out what exactly the fault code means, you can go to pepboys, autozone, and rent a OBD2 scanner. The $400 cost is not unexpected. They have to completely remove the steer wheel to get at the clockspring, but what you have to watch out for is the dealers typically replace the Restraints Control Module as well, which is under the center consol. All at your cost. Make sure they don't remove the RCM and that may reduce the cost.