I have an airbag light on and from what I gather it could be a problem with the clock spring. I would like to try replacing it myself but don't want to set off the airbag in the process. Interested in any feedback from someone who has completed this repair.

Jim
1998 XJ8
72XXX miles

 

Update to my prior post on replacing the clock spring on my 98 XJ8. After more research I decided to take the car to an expert on airbags and electrical. Turns out someone cut the wires to the air bag light. The tech (also Jag owner) said that my 98 XJ8 has a Ford wiring harness laying behind the dash running the air bag system and that is where he found the cut wires. I am pointing this fix out to those that have been chasing the air bag light problem as a possible place to look.

jrb57
98 XJ8
72xxx miles

 

So if the wires were cut, how was the light on?

 

I spoke to the mechanic again this morning to get more explanation. Apparently the wires that were cut went to the steering wheel airbag. He said the car does a 7 second self check of all of the air bag system sensors when the car starts up. In my case it detected a problem with the steering wheel air bag circuit and reason the air bag light came on. He knows a lot more than I can remember about how air bag systems work but hopefully this helps explain my comment correctly.
Puzzle at our house is how the wires got cut since we recall everything working when we bought the car a few years ago from a private owner. Just happy it is fixed.
Jrb57
98 XJ8
72,XXX miles

 

Strange. My airbag light was on solid from the day I bought it last August, then it started going out after I played with the connector on the module under the radio.