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Intermittent Electrical Problem - Air Bag Warning / Odometer / Clock Reset
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Jeff09
New User
Mar 14, 2009, 10:35 AM
Post #1 of 8
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Intermittent Electrical Problem - Air Bag Warning / Odometer / Clock Reset
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Hi,
I have a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban with a 5.3 L engine. The mileage is approximately 120,000 miles.
Several years ago I began having problem with the air bag warning light coming on and then going back off. I was told that until the warning light stayed on all the time, it would probably be a waste of money to have it looked at by the dealer.
Recently I have noticed that the odometer/gear selection indicator fails to illuminate at times. (This, too, is a somewhat random problem that doesn't necessarily happen at the same time as the air bag warning light turning on.
In addition, I have noticed that the clock sometimes resets to 1:00. There has been no disconnection of the battery or any other interruption of power from the battery that I know of prior to this occurring.
And finally, several years ago I was driving at highway speeds (about 60 mph) and when I went over a railroad crossing on the country road I was travelling, the entire electrical system stopped work (no engine, no instrument panel, no turn signals). This has only happened that one time.
Something that I have observed regarding the airbag warning light is that when I place pressure at certain points on the steering wheel, I can sometimes make the warning light turn off if it is on, or turn on if it is off. (Please stick with me on this one.) I have driven quite a bit on business, and occasionally I will use my left knee to put pressure on the bottom of the steering wheel (at approximately the 7 o'clock position). I have found recently when I do that the warning light almost always comes on. Likewise, if I grasp the steering wheel at approximately the 1 o'clock position and use a little force to pull the steering wheel toward the steering column, I can get the warning light to go off most of the time if it is already known.
(I have noticed a slight give in the steering column when I pull toward the center of the steering wheel, like maybe the shaft or the bearing is moving slightly.)
My gut instinct tells me that this is probably a ground problem, or possibly a loose connection. I would like to correct the problem myself rather than have the dealer charge me for this.
Any thoughts on where I might begin troubleshooting these problems would be appreciated. (Or, maybe it is one interconnected problem.)
Thanks
Jeff
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 14, 2009, 10:56 AM
Post #2 of 8
(1275 views)
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Re: Intermittent Electrical Problem - Air Bag Warning / Odometer / Clock Reset
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I agree that it's likely a grounding issue. Try looking for the metal to body fasteners of the dash, steering column will have some and just see if they are all snug tight.
Not sure how hard you hit tracks back when but maybe there's a complete disconnect at the power distribution box (fuses etc) underhood. I think battery ground cable also goes down that side (driver's) to the side of the engine block for a check there as well. Any ground straps need be connected and not broken of course. I think you may see one or more at back of engine to firewall and somthing on passenger's side down low engine or body to frame for grounding as well,
T
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
Mar 14, 2009, 11:01 AM
Post #3 of 8
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Re: Intermittent Electrical Problem - Air Bag Warning / Odometer / Clock Reset
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Jeff; You may be right on, regarding a ground issue. I don't see any other connection. As far as the Air Bag Lamp and the looseness in the column....We call that tilt-a-tosis.  Fairly easy fix, but have to go into the column, itself, which means dealing with the air bag. You may have a clockspring problem, which can be diagnosed at the same time. But, I don't see that having anything to do with the instrument illumination. There are some guys in here that are really sharp with electrical. Hopefully, one or more will jump in...
Loren
SW Washington
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Jeff09
New User
Mar 14, 2009, 12:33 PM
Post #4 of 8
(1269 views)
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Re: Intermittent Electrical Problem - Air Bag Warning / Odometer / Clock Reset
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Hi Tom,
Thanks for all of the great suggestions.
I will take a look at any ground connections I can find.
Thanks for the quick response, too.
I'll keep you posted.
Jeff
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Jeff09
New User
Mar 14, 2009, 12:37 PM
Post #5 of 8
(1268 views)
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Re: Intermittent Electrical Problem - Air Bag Warning / Odometer / Clock Reset
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Hi Loren,
Thanks for your post.
I've never played around with the steering columns of cars that are new enough to have airbags. I would like to think that there is a way to disarm them. Is this pretty straight forward, or do you think it is best left in the hands of people with experience?
I'm hoping that this problem is unique enough that someone else might recognize it from something that have seen in the past.
Thanks again for your post.
I'll let you know if I find anything.
Jeff
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
Mar 14, 2009, 1:01 PM
Post #6 of 8
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Re: Intermittent Electrical Problem - Air Bag Warning / Odometer / Clock Reset
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Jeff; With everything that is going on, I think I'd have to swallow my pride and have someone that is very good with electrical look at it. The air bag costs about $1000.00 to replace if it gets damaged or blows up in your face.
These newer cars are so complicated, electronically, that it is scary. Tom has suggested in the past to run an artificial ground from the dash to the framework on some of these intermittent things. You could, at least, try that to see if it may solve your illumination problem.
Loren
SW Washington
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Jeff09
New User
Mar 16, 2009, 4:05 AM
Post #7 of 8
(1260 views)
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Re: Intermittent Electrical Problem - Air Bag Warning / Odometer / Clock Reset
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Hi Loren,
Thanks for your second reply.
On Saturday evening I was checking for ground connections at the fire wall and at the battery. I was also moving the steering wheel as I had described in an earlier message. During part of this exercise the clock reset to 1:00, which I am thinking probabaly happened because I broke the ground momentarily. I did'nt realize the clock had reset until yesterday afternoon. I will go through that same process more slowly and see if I can identify which action caused the clock to reset.
If you are interested, I will let you know how it turns out.
Thanks again for your help.
Jeff
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
Mar 16, 2009, 3:06 PM
Post #8 of 8
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Re: Intermittent Electrical Problem - Air Bag Warning / Odometer / Clock Reset
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Jeff; Yeah, that would be great to know what you find. Never know, might help out someone else, in the future.
Loren
SW Washington
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