Technical airbag light on and no horn

[jabs]

1.2 mk2 punto 'Y' reg

A fault has just developed where the airbag light is on and the horn does not work, I noticed that there are several postings on this issue but no one provides a solution. I have had the airbag and steering wheel off and the wiring/connectors look ok. So, unless someone can point me in the right direction, I'll have to take it to the robbing b***ds called a fiat dealer to have it fixed as the MOT is due soon.

regards John

 

[Steve F]

Same problem here...

This is due to a switch in the steering column (not the actual horn switch(es)). Took it to the Fiat dealer, they quoted £280 to do it which I believe about half of what the car worth now, P reg Punto S. So I told them where to stick their quote, gotta do a DIY horn to go through MOT.

 

[craig 980]

silly question....
have either of you removed the steering wheel for any reason prior to the fault?

 

[jabs]

Nope, noticed air bag light on then found horn didn't work. I will have to take the wheel off and check for continuity through the clockspring to see if that is the problem. It's the only common item for the horn and airbag. Noticed switch assembly for mk2 on e-bay for £30 so may try that. Will the airbag light need resetting by the dealer or will it reset itself once the fault is fixed?

 

[craig 980]

i would be very cautious about using a multimeter on anything to do with airbags.
i expect the end of the spool cassette has given way.

if removing the stalks, make sure you put the steering in the straight ahead position and lock the spool.

also, (obvious i know) place the airbag somewhere safe, face up.

i know someone that used to work for a bmw dealership, when one came in that had an accident, they used to replace the air bags (deployed or not).
he used to put them face down and blow them with a car battery and switch, apparently they used to go a fair few feet into the air

airbag light.. if the light is on now, it will still need resetting wether or not the faulty component has been replaced.

 

[jabs]

What do you mean by "end of the spool cassette has given way" presume your mean, what the hayes manuals calls, the clockspring, and how would i identify that this had happened.

wasn't going to use a multimeter on the airbag - that would be silly and dangerous :dead: I was going to disconnect and remove the clockspring then meter it to ensure it was working correctly, as after all it is the only thing that could really go wrong in the circuit that would effect both the airbag and horn.

 

[T14086]

I would tell you the answer but I wont cause i'm a robbing b*****d

 

[craig 980]

spool cassette, clock spring, same thing, it depends which car manufacturer, the last person i chatted to about this issue had an mgf

i dont like making assumptions but mine his that the clock spring has gone, like you say, they're the only thing that make use of it.

you could take the cowling from the steering column and inspect the connections to the column stalks.

if you're indicators are anything like mine used to be, and self cancel at the wrong postion (or not cancel at all) it would be an ideal excuse to replace the lot anyway.

sorry to sound a bit cagey, its just that i don't want to convince you to go out and buy something that may not be faulty, when i havent even seen the car

 

[jabs]

Think the fiat airbags have got it in for me :devil: cos the airbag light on my mk1 cabrio has now come on as well - but the horn still works sorry T14086 nothing personal just dealers in general, and after all us yorkshire men don't like spending any brass. Know of one alfa dealer that charged £1400 to fit two secondhand dodgy coilover shocks to a kitcar - and the guy was so nice he wouldn't complain, had me fit two new ones fit for the job.

 

[T14086]

No probs....however i'm not saying your clockspring isn't at fault but I have only known 2 to go fault because they were fitted wrong by owner after removing.Simple check ok,horn have you a live & earth at it? As I suspect the 2 are unrelated.

 

[jabs]

No probs....however i'm not saying your clockspring isn't at fault but I have only known 2 to go fault because they were fitted wrong by owner after removing.Simple check ok,horn have you a live & earth at it? As I suspect the 2 are unrelated.

your right t14086 it wasn't the clock spring and the two faults are not related, just as you said :worship:. The horn was the horn itself, reseted the connectors to it and gave it a couple of taps and it works fine. Just need to get the airbag light fixed now. Many thanks

 

[T14086]

Your welcome,

https://www.fiatforum.com/donations.php

p.s.get airbag work done by dealer for safety sake.