Was told by the previous owner that the air bag light stays on because of clock spring broken, although sometimes when warm light goes out , wanted to know if a clock spring from escort car would work if i cant locate one from a van and also the procedure for fitting it.

Also the rear door only clloses with a massive slam, looks like there maybe a spring broken inside, those star shape bolts are they Torx ?? and what is the size

Thanks

it is the front impact censor in the car that rust out on one of the terminals so it thinks the bag is faulty 28 Air bag control module -

removal and refitting 4

Removal

1 Disconnect the battery negative (earth) lead

(refer to Chapter 5, Section 1).

Warning: Before proceeding, wait

a minimum of 15 minutes, as a

precaution against accidental

firing of the air bag unit. This

period ensures that any stored energy in

the back-up capacitor is dissipated.

2 Undo the six screws and withdraw the

detachable lower facia panel from beneath

the steering column.

3 Disconnect the multi-plug from the module,

by pressing the locking tab upwards and

swivelling the retaining strap.

4 Unscrew the mounting bolts and remove

the module from the vehicle.

Refitting

5 Refitting is a reversal of the removal

procedure.

29 Air bag clock spring -

removal and refitting 3

Removal

1 Remove the steering wheel as described in

Chapter 10.

2 Disconnect the wires at the two horn

terminals in the centre of the steering wheel.

3 Undo the three retaining screws, and

remove the clock spring/horn slip ring from

the steering wheel (see illustration). As the

unit is withdrawn, note which aperture in the

steering wheel the air bag wiring passes

through, as an aid to reassembly.

12•20 Body electrical system

29.3 Removing the air bag clock spring

assembly from the steering wheel

27.4 Withdrawing the air bag module from

the steering wheel

26.20 Undo the screw (arrowed) and

withdraw the PATS transceiver from the

ignition switch/steering lock barrel

26.15 Alarm system horn

Refitting

4 Apply a smear of molybdenum disulphide

grease to the horn slip rings.

5 Position the clock spring/horn slip ring on

the steering wheel, and secure with the

retaining screws.

6 Reconnect the two horn wires to their

terminals.

7 The clock spring must now be centred as

follows.

8 Depress the locking pin, and rotate the

clock spring outer rotor fully anti-clockwise

until it is tight (see illustration).

9 Now turn the outer rotor approximately 3.75

turns clockwise, then release the locking pin.

Ensure that the locking pin engages when it is

released.

10 Check that the relative position of the

direction indicator cancelling cam to the cable

connector on the clock spring assembly is as

shown (see illustration 29.8).

11 Refit the steering wheel as described in

Regarding ASH comment " it is the front impact censor in the car that rust out on one of the terminals so it thinks the bag is faulty"

and going on to explain .... how to change the clock spring, sorry to sound a dork but

1 Why would a rusty front impact sensor require a clock spring change ?

2 Actually in Hot weather the air bag light doesnt stay on, which is strange

3 The horn works perfectly, would this work if the clcok spring is broke

any help appreciated