Hi All!

A while ago my steering completely failed. The lower steering shaft knuckle (where it connects to the steering box input shaft) stripped and left me with no steering at all! Luckily it failed right at my driveway. I have replaced the complete lower steering shaft and put in a reman'd steering gearbox as the old one had too much play and leaked like a sieve. In the interim (10 months parked before the repairs) my son spun the steering wheel around several times (remember the no steering thing?) and now that it is back on the road there is an SRS warning light lit on the dash and the horn does not work when pushed. The alarm horn does work but not when you push on the SRS center pad. I am thinking the spinning of the steering wheel sheered the horn and SRS wires somewhere behind the rotary connector or possibly pulled the connector plugs out under tension. Does this sound right? I have pulled the SRS pad but can see no damage behind it. Do I need to pull the steering wheel to get to the wires for these two units? Please point me in the right direction.
Regards,
Steve.

 

Yes you need to remove the steering wheel, or at least the airbag moduale.
Unhook the car battery, let it sit for no less than one hour and then remove the airbag.

 

Do your self a favor and let a mechanic check and repair the SRS, you will need to see him anyway to clear the codes.

 

Hi,

I have removed the SRS module and disconnected the harness from both the module and from behind the lower dash panel so I can see both ends of the wiring harness but can't see all of the wiring in between. I am guessing the break must be somewhere behind the rotary coupler behind the steering wheel. I will pull the wheel and see what is going on there.

Steve.

 

Let us know what you find.

 

I would "suggest" the rotory coupler is pooped.

 

Like disco mike said let a mechanic work on your SRS system. Check out the power of air bags in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CzyO...eature=related

Willie

 

You need only disconnect the battery for 10+ minutes to ensure a safe SRS system. From the sounds of things, it would appear that the clock spring within the rotary coupler has been destroyed due to excessive rotation of the steering wheel exceeding the maximum allowable amount of rotation for the spring. You will need a new rotary coupler. When you replace it, set the wheels in the straightahead position and use a paint mark for orientation purposes during reinstallation of the steering wheel.