Airbag light/no cruise after ps box install

Hi everybody. I have a 2000 xj, and just recently swapped out the power steer box. before this everything was working properly

after the ps box install, the airbag light has constantly been on, the horn stopped working and the cruise stopped working. Everything I have been reading has pointed me towards the clockspring, but considering it happened DIRECTLY after the ps box install, I'd like to know if there is ANY other cause for this. I just don't think that the clockspring would go conveniently(inconveniently...) right after i installed my ps box

I checked all the fuses just now and they all appear to be fine, so much for easy fixes... I'd appreciate any assistance

Your exactly right with the clock spring being bad. If you didn't get the steering wheel centered when you changed boxes most likely what happened is you over extended the spring in one direction breaking it inside. You will have to pull the wheel to replace it. Make sure you look up the procedure for the airbag as any electical spark could set the bag off.

When you pull the wheel to replace it make sure you have the wheels straight ahead and lock the ignition with the key. This will keep the box and shafts in position so you can center the new spring when you mount it.

Just for the sake of asking did you happen to unhook anything under the dash? There is also a connector on the bottom of the column you could check. I don't think it has the Air Bag wiring in it though.

You don't have to pull the steering wheel to fix a broken clockspring, you just need to remove the the air bag from the center of the steering wheel. There are just a few screws underneath and it pulls right off. The clock spring has a connector that needs to be unplugged as well. Like was said remove the ground terminal from the battery first and hold it against a good ground point on the body for a minute or two to bleed off any power stored in the computer. The clockspring usually gets broken by turning the steering wheel when it's not connected to the steering box, they break very easily this way. Wrapping the seat belt through the bottom of the wheel a few times and then buckling it back in will prevent this from happening in the future.

robsjeepxj said:

You don't have to pull the steering wheel to fix a broken clockspring, you just need to remove the the air bag from the center of the steering wheel.

Click to expand...

The clockspring is behind the steering wheel frame, and YES it has to be removed to remove and replace the clockspring. I just did mine on my 98 when I was repairing the airbag system. You certainly cannot get the old clockspring off if you don't remove the steering wheel....well, okay, you could chew and tear it up, but you'll never get the new one on without pulling the steering wheel.

Definitely sounds like the steering wheel got turned through the install process..clockspring is done...pull steering wheel and its right there..Next time make sure steering wheel is secured so that it cant move while disconnected... I like to make sure the wheel is locked with column.

Thanks for the info everyone. The steering wheel was definitely turned when it wasn't connected... That'll teach me! Dangit... Is the clockspring a difficult replacement?