Dodge Repair: Air Bag light, trip odometer, dakota 4x4

Question
QUESTION: Hi-

I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota 4X4, 4.7 w/Auto Trans. Every few weeks my air bag light on the dash will turn on, stay on for a few minutes then turn off. It seems to go in streaks-- a few days it will happen then nothing for a month. Drive a few blocks turns on or drive a few miles turns on, completely random. Been happening for about a year so the heat/cold doesn't seem to make a difference. The vehicle was in a front end collision that didn't set off the air bags about 6 years ago and the body shop said the problem would have showed up right away if it was something they did wrong. Anything that I can check?

Thanks,
Jim

ANSWER: Hi Jim,
The earliest manual I have for the truck line is '04, but if the air bag module on the steering wheel is labelled 'SRS Airbag' then I have the info about your vehicle. But in any case the best approach would be to get a fault code readout from a nationwide parts store, such as Autozone who will often do that for free, or from an independent shop that will do it for around $40. The airbag module checks over the entire system periodically and lights the warning light when if finds a flaw. The code will tell us where the flaw is located. It is the only smart way to troubleshoot the system and is better than guessing and buying parts that may not be needed. I would guess that the clockspring in the steering column may be flaky but that is just a guess.
Once you get a code for the airbag system let me know what it is and we'll go from there.
Please rate my answer (see below).
Thanks,
Roland

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the quick reply-

It has "SRS" on the air bag.

I checked the codes by turning the ignition key on/off/on and looking at the trip odometer, the only code is "P done". Would it remember a code? It only seems to happen when I am moving so I can't check for the code unless I turn the vehicle off.

Answer
The ignition key approach only accesses the engine/transmission modules, not the air bag's.
A code reader that is plugged in to the data link connector under the dash by the steering column and is capable of accessing the air bag module is needed. The code would be stored for a while after the light came on so do it soon after the next time you see the light.