Jeep cherokee 1998--After replacing steering wheel and original air bag the' air bag' dashboard light keeps on and also 'check gauges' light comes on and off. do i need a new air bag or is there a cheaper solution?

as you already know its not the original radio i would suggest it may well not be the correct model radio for the vehicle, check in your car manual for the radio type you should have in your vehicle

Try wiggling the seat belt receptacle on the drivers side. If not you will need to take it to get the air bag codes pulled so we can look at whats going on. Try beeping the horn also. There is a wire that brakes sometimes behind the steering wheel called the clock spring this also works the horn circuit.

need to replace clock spring which is located under steering wheel airbag, if you are going to carry out repair disconnect battery and leave for at least 5 mins then you can strip down steering wheel safely without possible airbag going off, but you will need a steering wheel pulling tool and the rest is quite straight forward

I would check my gauge fuse,look in manule for location

it's inside the steering wheel
must be careful, because of the air bag.
disconnect the battery and wait for 10 minutes for the air bag capacitor to discharge power.
remove the air bag module from the steering wheel
remove the center nut, then steering wheel
the clock pring is a yellow round piece that fitted inside the steering column. there is a snap ring hold the clock spring in place. disconnect the wiring then remove the clock spring.

When the airbag light (SRS) is on or blinks it means a fault has occurred in the system and the airbag diagnostic monitor has disabled the system, the most common problem that turns the light on is a break in the connection to the steering wheel mounted airbag, this is due to a rotating ribbon contact that breaks under the steering wheel that connects the airbag to the wiring harness and the diagnostic monitor, the part is called the clock spring contact, a coiled up ribbon electrical contact that turns with the steering wheel while maintaining a mechanical connection to the airgag mounted on the steering wheel, to replace this part you must disarm the airbag system and remove the steering wheel, this requires a special steering wheel puller tool and that you disarm the airbag system before you start the work, to do this disconnect the battery negative cable for 1 hour prior.

This first post is WITH AN AIR BAG:



With Air Bag Before removing the steering wheel, disable the air bag system
Disarming the System To disarm the air bag system, simply disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery. Isolate the battery cable by taping up any exposed metal areas of the cable. This will keep the cable from accidentally contacting the battery and causing deployment of the air bag. Allow the system capacitor to discharge for at least 2 minutes, although 10 minutes is recommended, to allow for the dissipation of any residual energy.

CAUTION Before removing the steering wheel, disable the air bag system (refer to Section 6). Failure to do so could result in accidental air bag deployment and possible injury.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable and disable the air bag system.
   
2. Set the front tires in a straight-ahead position.
   

Exploded view of the air bag module mounting

1. Remove the air bag module retaining nuts from behind the steering wheel.
   
2. Remove the air bag module.
   
3. If equipped, remove the cruise control switch.
   
4. Disconnect the horn wiring.
   
5. Remove the steering wheel retaining nut.
   
6. Scribe a line mark on the steering wheel and steering shaft if there is not one already.
   

Use a puller to separate the wheel from the column

1. Remove the steering wheel using a suitable puller.
   

To install:

1. To install, align the scribe marks on the steering shaft with the steering wheel.
   
2. Ensure the wheel compresses the 2 locktabs on the clockspring.
   

See if the light comes on and off sitting still turning the wheel back and forth and running the tilt up and down. If it does replace the clockspring behind the steering wheel. Remember to disconnect the battery to do the repair. Also when finished, turn the key on BEFORE connecting the battery back up. That way if anything went wrong, it won't deploy in your face. Hope this helps.

it is the sensor located under the dashboard area. you can buy another one off the internet for 50.00. with instructions on how to remove the old one and then send it back for your deposit back. however, my light also comes on and off when the weather changes. i would ignore it unless it stays on for a few days. all it means is your airbag isnt working. i lived most my life without airbags.

Jeeps did have a problem with the clock spring in the steering column. This clock spring is a part that connects the lower harness with the switches on the steering wheel. To replace the clock spring it will have to be done by a qualified tech since the airbag itself has to be removed. Have the car checked for codes first before making any repairs.