1998.5 Ram...Had to change my steering gear over the weekend. Went fine, except I must have overextended my clockspring (oops) while the steering wheel was disconnected because the airbag light stays on and cruise control doesn't work.

No big deal, just get a new one at Napa for $34. I get it installed and go to reconnect the airbag, and only then did I notice that the wiring harness is absolutely DIFFERENT than the old clockspring (see attached photos)! AutoZone and 1AAuto also sell clocksprings, supposedly for my year, that have the EXACT same connection as the Napa (Balkamp) clockspring. They all claim to be a perfect OEM replacement.

Has anyone run into this problem before? Are the auto parts stores selling the incorrect clockspring for my truck? Does the part the dealer carries have the same NEW connector? I called a couple local dealerships and they say the part is on national backorder till sometime in September, so I can't even go look at one.

I suppose I could remove the harness from the old clockspring and replace the new connector, but messing with airbag wiring isn't exactly high on my to-do list.

Any ideas?

 

Many people here have posted the same problem as you.
Apparently you can get the correct clockspring from www.rockauto.com

 

In searching I couldn't find any posts about the same issue (?). Lot of threads about the clockspring, though. All the units pictured on RockAuto's site are for the different type of airbag. The connector plugs directly into the back of the bag. My airbag has a wiring harness (the wires come out the side).