I just noticed that the horn for my '98 Outback legacy does not work and the dash light for the airbag will not go out.

 

I am a little hesitant to mess w/ the airbag circuit, so I decided to troubleshoot the horn first. Both horns worked when jumped out to the battery. The fuse is ok. There is no power at the connector to the horn when someone pushes on the steering wheel horn switch.

 

The Chilton's manual shows a relay above the fuse box, but it is not specific as to the location. I pulled off the lower plastic dash apron, but I cannot identify it.

 

Would anyone be able to help me identify the location of the relay?

I just noticed that the horn for my '98 Outback legacy does not work and the dash light for the airbag will not go out.

 

I am a little hesitant to mess w/ the airbag circuit, so I decided to troubleshoot the horn first. Both horns worked when jumped out to the battery. The fuse is ok. There is no power at the connector to the horn when someone pushes on the steering wheel horn switch.

 

The Chilton's manual shows a relay above the fuse box, but it is not specific as to the location. I pulled off the lower plastic dash apron, but I cannot identify it.

 

Would anyone be able to help me identify the location of the relay?

 

i'll bet your cruise control does not work either. i have the same problem, all 3 items go through the steering column / clock spring to the steering wheel. so that's where i'm going to look for a fix. it may require replacing the clock spring. i've never done it but it sounds like the it's not too hard. you just have to disconnect the battery and wait for the air bag to become dead?

 

i have other things on my plate so you may correct your before i tackle mine. let me know how it turns out.

 

there is a recent thread which i started that has a link to a ''how to'' on a different forum.

Had the same issue on my 99 Leg wagon... I think it was my 99.... anyway, it turned out to be the clock spring. Little gizmo maintains electrical connection to the steering wheel while it turns around. Apparently a regular fail point. I had a mechanic do it, as I wasn't about to mess around with the airbag.

 

--Mike

Not difficult.

 

I've never even used a steering wheel puller - but getting a loaner one may not be a bad idea.

 

I have a few around, and one in a 97 Outback parts car.

 

I've had to pay up tp 100 (for an Impreza). But usually sell them for 30 + shipping and paypal.

 

I'd imagine the 97 and 98 were the same - but I can't confirm. You may be able to online somewhere.

 

Mine is known good - I drove the car home using cruise, no ABS light on.

Pull the fuse for the airbag module and disconnect the battery before starting. Not sure how you remove the airbag from the wheel on these, but when you get to removing the wheel, loosen the bolt or nut that holds it on but don't remove it. Then you can pull on the wheel and pop it of without a puller, when it pops loose the nut will catch it so it doesn't hit you in the face.

yeah these are really easy, don't let the air bag scare you. it's all plug and play, nothing special to it.

 

i don't even disconnect the battery to remove or replace them. i don't recommend it, but i'm just saying it's not a job to be scared of. i've done a couple rebuilds too, replacing all the air bag components, not hard at all.

 

like dave said, the newer stuff i've never had problems getting steering wheels off. unbolt stuff, unplug, reinstall, plug in, done. they're very easy and don't take long either.

....after going back and forth, I decided to buy a new clock spring. I spent the better part of a day calling junk yards and searching on-line...only to find that a used part would save about $100. It should arrive this Friday...I'll install on Sunday.

This isnt a part that should be bought used. N one is going to seel just this part. It can be fun to pull it yourself though as it is always nicer to learn (read screw up) a car in junkyard

I've got the part....picked it up yesterday. While shopping for the part, I was a little put-off that none of the dealerships I called would give me the part number. Would anyone have a link to a parts website for future needs?

 

The local NAPA store is lending me a steering wheel puller for free.

a great site for part numbers

 

http://opposedforces.com/parts

 

a good site for numbers and parts

 

http://www.subarupartsforyou.com/

 

my preferred parts supplier

 

https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/catalogs.html

 

sometimes the challenging thing is know where to look for the part and what they happen to call it.

for instance, is an o2 sensor an exhaust part, a sensor, or part of the emissions system? seems like each site is a little different.

 

.

Edited October 30, 201015 yr by johnceggleston

The part arrived yesterday. I installed it this morning...took me about 2 hours....works like a charm!

good job BR, that's great, glad it worked out for you.