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Dodge Ram 1994-2008: Airbag Light Won't Turn Off

If the airbag light on your Ram's dashboard is flashing or staying on, it can be a bit of an eyesore and a distraction. To determine why yours is lit up, run through these simple diagnostic steps.

By Jeffrey Bausch - July 23, 2015

This article applies to the Dodge Ram 2nd and 3rd Generation (1994-2008).

A malfunctioning airbag indicator light is a major safety hazard to address as soon as possible. It may indicate that a connection is loose or something in the SRS airbag may be faulty, which would no only lead to the airbag possibly engaging at random, but might also lead to the airbag not engaging at all during a heavy collision. If you want to diagnose the airbag light yourself before taking your car to the dealership, we've provided some of the common problems. All of which are fixable right in your garage. Keep in mind, however, simply making the light go away does not always resolve the underlying issue, so your best bet is to have it checked by a professional.

Figure 1. Airbag warning light.

Materials Needed

  • Ratchet and socket set
  • Phillips and flat head screwdriver
  • Needle nose pliers
  • New clock spring (if necessary)

Step 1 – Disconnect and re-connect the battery

The system might simply need to be reset.

Sometimes, the SRS module simply needs a hard reset. Disconnecting and reconnecting the car’s battery is a quick fix to doing this. Make sure to leave the battery disconnected for at least 10 minutes to ensure all power has been drained from the system.

Figure 2. Dodge Ram battery location.

If you've reconnected the battery and the airbag light is still on, move on to the following step.

Step 2 – Check the clock spring

The circuit may be faulty.

The clock spring in your Ram truck is situated between the steering wheel and the steering column. This rotary device allows the steering wheel's electrical equipment and controls, such as the airbag and cruise control switch, to maintain a steady and complete connection as the steering wheel turns. The best solution is to simply replace the clock spring assembly. You can find one for at least $75. Installing it is an easy procedure that requires removal of the steering wheel cover and plugging in the new clock spring.

Figure 3. Dodge Ram steering column clock spring.

If you've replaced the clock spring and the airbag light is still on, move on to the following step.

Step 3 – Check the airbag module and fuses

The connections might be loose or the fuses blown.

First make your way to the fuse box and refer to the diagram on its inside cover. Look for the airbag module's fuse location. Use needle nose pliers to remove the fuse, and then check if the metal wire is still in one piece. If the fuse has blown, replace it with a new one and check if the airbag light turns off. If it doesn't turn off, check the airbag module itself.

The airbag module is located behind the center console, below the radio and climate control units, and on the floorboard. Remove the center console trim to access the module and then inspect it. Check for any loose or disconnected wiring, frayed or ripped cables, burn marks, etc. If you find one of these, either the entire module with complete wiring set will need to be replaced or you might be able to salvage and rewire the connections.

Figure 4. Dodge Ram airbag control module.

Note

The factory default setting for the park distance control (PDC) is to have the airbag fuses in the “up” position. To ensure a proper connection, disconnect the negative (black) battery terminal, open the PDC cover, and push down on both fuses.

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