xterra electrical issues

[diablo9420]

Hi, i have a 2000 xterra 3.3 4wd and the horn doesnt work when i press it (but does when the alarm goes off), the air bag light is always on also the seat belt light, and when im driving the gauges will freeze or drop to 0 and the odo screen will go blank, ive looked online and they are common problems but i can not for the life of me find a solution to them. Does anyone have any idea on how to fix it? Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks!

[Q451990]

I'd start with checking the spiral cable. Have you done the air bag diagnostic tests? There should be some in the factory service manual (available at http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/ )

Heath

[diablo9420]

No I havent, im not really concerned all that much with the airbag, thought it and the horn issue were tied together, but my buddy was looking at it yesterday and said the relay under the hood clicks so my wires messed up between the relay and the horn itself. And does the spiral cable have anything todo with the gauge cluster? I will test the airbag soon thanks for the info.

Btw when my gauge cluster messed up last the CEL turned on is that normal? I havent plugged it in yet (my scanner stopped working awhile back)

[Q451990]

If the horn relay is clicking, then the spiral cable isn't totally shot at least... I suggested it since the air bag and horn runs through the same cable. I'd say the CEL may point you in the direction of the problem that's making your cluster act up... maybe something like a speed sensor? I'd try the airbag reset procedure and see if that cures it. It's possible that it's something as simple as having taken the dash apart and having the key on tripped it.

Heath