Airbag module falls off steering wheel

JAY NOVAK

MEMBER
1998 FORD CONTOUR
2.5L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
116,783 MILES

I have the vehicle listed above SE model. I bought it for a car to get me to and from work so I expected to need to put a little TLC into it. However, I did not expect for the whole horn/airbag module to fall off the steering wheel into my lap every time I make a turn. There is no airbag light on the dash while the car is running and when I first start the car the airbag light stays on for about three seconds then turns off. Can someone please help me figure out if it is okay to just screw this thing back in place? Or will I need to replace the whole module and reset the AES?

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,269 POSTS

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

Can you upload a pic of what is falling off? I am going to provide the directions for removal and replacement of what I think you are referring to. If I am wrong, please let me know.

Note: The directions and attached pictures show where and how the airbag unit is attached to the steering wheel. Let me know if it helps.

__________________________

DRIVER AIR BAG
REMOVAL

WARNING
Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag vehicle and when handling an air bag.
Carry a live air bag with the bag and trim cover pointed away from your body. An accidental deployment will then deploy with a minimal chance of injury.
Place a live air bag on a bench or other surface with the trim cover up.
After deployment, the air bag surface may contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash you hands with soap and water afterwards.
Never probe the connectors on the air bags. Doing so may result in air bag deployment and personal injury.
Air bag modules with discolored or damaged covers or deployment doors must be replaced, not repainted.
Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for proper system operation. If a vehicle equipped with an air bag system is involved in a collision, inspect the sensor mounting bracket and wiring pigtail for deformation. If damaged, the sensor should be replaced whether or not the air bag is deployed.
To avoid accidental deployment and possible injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any air bag system components. To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery to starter relay cable and wait one minute.

Picture 1

1. Disconnect the battery cables.

Picture 2
2. Rotate the steering wheel 90 degrees to access and remove the Torx screw. Rotate the steering wheel 180 degrees to access and remove the Torx screws.

Picture 3

3. Remove the driver air bag module.
Disconnect the electrical connector.
Remove the air bag module.

Picture 4

Picture 5

INSTALLATION
1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

WARNING
Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag vehicle and when handling an air bag.
Carry a live air bag with the bag and trim cover pointed away from your body. An accidental deployment will then deploy with a minimal chance of injury.
Repair is made by replacement only. If a part is replaced and the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and perform the diagnostic procedure again.
Never probe the connectors on the air bags. Doing so may result in air bag deployment and personal injury.

NOTE: When the battery is disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms may occur while the vehicle relearns its adaptive strategy. The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 mi) or more to relearn the strategy.

Let me know if this helps or if you are dealing with something different.

Take care,
Joe

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