Prepare for the Automotive Service Technician Period 1 exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

If the air bag light comes on during start-up and then goes out after a few seconds, what service is required?

The driver’s airbag system needs a reliable electrical connection through the steering wheel, which is provided by the clock spring. If the warning light comes on during start-up and then goes out, it often signals an intermittent fault in that driver-airbag circuit rather than a permanent failure, and the clock spring is a common culprit. As the clock spring wears, its internal contacts can momentarily lose continuity, triggering the warning and then clearing, which is why replacing the clock spring is the appropriate service to restore a solid, safe connection. Simply assuming no service is needed ignores a safety-critical system fault, and inspecting the module or disconnecting the battery does not directly fix the intermittent wiring issue.

The driver’s airbag system needs a reliable electrical connection through the steering wheel, which is provided by the clock spring. If the warning light comes on during start-up and then goes out, it often signals an intermittent fault in that driver-airbag circuit rather than a permanent failure, and the clock spring is a common culprit. As the clock spring wears, its internal contacts can momentarily lose continuity, triggering the warning and then clearing, which is why replacing the clock spring is the appropriate service to restore a solid, safe connection. Simply assuming no service is needed ignores a safety-critical system fault, and inspecting the module or disconnecting the battery does not directly fix the intermittent wiring issue.