Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Intermittent airbag light on my TJ – clockspring or something else?

TonyLa

TonyLa

New Member
Original poster
Joined
Aug 27, 2025
Messages
16
Location
Chicago
Hey everyone,

I’m getting an intermittent airbag light on the dash of my TJ. It comes on and off randomly while driving.
I’ve read that the clockspring is a common culprit, but I’m not sure if that’s it. What else should I be looking at before I start pulling things apart?

Thanks in advance!
 
Look in the resources section for the fsm for your year. Then check all airbag wires,connections,relays,fuses,etc.

Or just pull the airbag and clamshells so you can check continuity of the clockspring wires while turning the wheel. I'd bet that taking apart the clockspring would show broken wires in it
 
  • Like
Reactions: ColoJeep
Also check the instrument cluster docking port . My 99 would have the random airbag light until I cleaned and preloaded the electrical pins for better contact.
No issues at all after refreshing the connection.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CMBD and Rickyd
Ok thanks, never touched an airbag before. Is it safe if I disconnect the battery ?
Also do you guys know where I can find the part ? There are very cheap ones on ebay but I'm not too sure I want to risk it. Otherwise I saw there's a Dorman...
 
TonyLa said:
Ok thanks, never touched an airbag before. Is it safe if I disconnect the battery ?
Also do you guys know where I can find the part ? There are very cheap ones on ebay but I'm not too sure I want to risk it. Otherwise I saw there's a Dorman...
Click to expand...

Please read the FSM and understand what to do before you do anything with airbags. They can be dangerous .
 
  • Like
Reactions: chili_pepper and CharlesHS
You can research more on what is required for working on the Air Bag System and Clock Spring in the Passive Restraint Systems 8M 1-19.

https://wranglertjforum.com/attachments/2000-tj-service-manual-pdf.362948/

Screenshot 2025-08-29 at 5.07.45 AM.png


Screenshot 2025-08-29 at 5.08.20 AM.png



Screenshot 2025-08-29 at 5.09.52 AM.png


Screenshot 2025-08-29 at 5.10.23 AM.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: ColoJeep and chili_pepper
I had an intermittent light several years ago. When I was able to borrow a scanner that could read the ACM on my 97 I found it reporting "Internal Fault 4" whatever that is.

A replacement used ACM off ebay fixed it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rickyd
I just had one that wasn't intermittent. I borrowed and OBD reader that covered airbags and it said I had an open circuit in the passenger airbag. I pulled the fuses and cleaned off the connectors (didn't need much in the way of cleaning and wiggled the connector where the wires went into the airbag (while the fuses were out) and the light went away and hasn't been back since. Apparently just a bad connection.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chili_pepper, Rickyd and ColoJeep
Any other symptoms or just the airbag light? Mine was doing that but it was the ignition switch on the way out. There were like two or three other symptoms along with the airbag light. Forget what they were now but it was a post somewhere on here that I found it. Been several years and haven't had an issue since.
 
TonyLa said:
It's just the airbag light that goes on and off...
Click to expand...

For curiosities sake the next time the airbag light comes , on hit the top right side of the instrument cluster with your fist and see if the light goes off.
If so clean and preload the docking connection. Don't ask me how I know ... ;);)
 
Hey,
Quick update on this: I took the Jeep out twice this week and the airbag light hasn’t come on. I’m pretty sure it’s just a bad connection somewhere. I’ll run an OBD scan when I get the chance...
 
  • Like
Reactions: macleanflood

Similar threads

M
Installed NRG steering wheel and now I’ve got an air bag light
Replies
2
Views
356
TJ General Discussion
Mnemonic Ghost
M
Willys LJ
05 LJ airbag light came on
Replies
6
Views
551
TJ General Discussion
JKP
JKP
Willys LJ
Passenger airbag squib open circuit on 05 LJ
Replies
4
Views
378
TJ General Discussion
Willys LJ
Willys LJ
_RockyMountainTJ_
Flasher Relay or Multifunction Switch
Replies
9
Views
662
TJ General Discussion
_RockyMountainTJ_
_RockyMountainTJ_
M
Suddenly intermittently stumbling while accelerating, idling fine
Replies
8
Views
476
TJ General Discussion
Mogul345
M
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts
Top Bottom