No bus, airbag light, and flashing CEL

[packmule1911]

Have had two instances of "no bus" lately. First the airbag light comes on, then the CEL, then "no bus", no speedo or rpm reading, and then I smack the instrument panel and things eventually come back on. It's done this 3 times in the last week.

Today, the airbag light came on, and then went off. After that the CEL was flashing, then solid. Jeep running fine, instrument cluster shows good.

I plugged in my OCD II unit and read codes: no error codes, but the CEL is still on.

I know I am prone to the heat soak #3 problem, but this was going on at highway speeds. Have not changed the plugs, but I probably should because of cooking them with too much Purple Power a few months ago that caused some bad knock.

What would you folks suspect as the root cause?

[prerunner1982]

At the first instance you describe I would attribute to the gauge cluster plug on the back. Cleaning it and reinstalling should help. Very common issue.

[4.3LXJ]

The air bag light will go off when the clock spring malfunctions. I know it makes no sense, but that is the way they engineered it

[packmule1911]

The air bag light will go off when the clock spring malfunctions. I know it makes no sense, but that is the way they engineered it

Clock spring?

[4.3LXJ]

In the steering column believe it or not:out:

[packmule1911]

What happens if/when it goes completely bad? I'm not in the mood the pull the steering wheel and mess around with any of that stuff right now.

[packmule1911]

At the first instance you describe I would attribute to the gauge cluster plug on the back. Cleaning it and reinstalling should help. Very common issue.

I removed a guage cluster in an old Audi Quattro once, and broke a bunch of little plastic tabs as a result. Since then I have an aversion to messing with that area. I break things, especially when it's supposed to "pop right out".

Looks like I have to face my fear and get over it.

[4.3LXJ]

It is not the end of the world. You can still drive it

[packmule1911]

It is not the end of the world. You can still drive it

Is there a safety risk i.e. airbag failure? My wife and son drive it occassionally.

[4.3LXJ]

Not sure on that. I have not delved into that issue far enough to know

[packmule1911]

Since the Airbag light coming on is evidence of the clock spring failing, I thought they would be connected so the clock spring might fail to operate the airbag if there was a reason for it to deploy.

[prerunner1982]

I believe the air bag might not work, hence the air bag light coming on. Also if the clock spring goes I believe the horn won't work either.