Dear Motor Medics,
My Dodge Caravan is doing a strange thing. Over the past six months it has had random ghosts in it and my kids say its possessed and I’m starting to think so myself. First the cruise control would shut off by itself, then the radio would change stations on its own and the volume would go all the way up without anyone touching it. That was just the beginning. My horn has not worked for two months but now when I’m turning it sometimes honks by itself and the people in front of me think I’m honking at them. This morning the air bag light cam on too so I’m waiting for it to blow off in my face as I drive so I’m at my wits end. Where do I go from here?
Gina in Okmulgee Oklahoma
Dear Gina,
It is possessed, next email please. Just kidding. It sounds like the old failed clock spring issue. There is a sliding contactor in the steering column that makes all electrical connection for everything in the steering wheel by way of a flat cable wrapped up like a clock spring. If the cable breaks down with age it can short together and cause all sorts of weird stuff to happen and in the case of the air bag can be dangerous. There were some free safety recalls from Dodge on a few so call them to check but get in for repairs fast.
Take care, The Motor Medics