Steering Column Repair: air bag light remains on, filament bulb, multifunction switch

Question
QUESTION: I had to replace a multi function switch on my 2003 Buick Century.  I tried the DIY method but only got as far as removing the air bag.  I ended up putting the air bag back on after not being able to remove the steering wheel, and took the car to my normal repair shop (23 years of service).  They replaced the switch, but now the air bag light is staying, on and they said they did not remove the bag, but took the switch off from the side. So now I am wondering if I did something wrong when I put the bag back on.  I did disconnect the negative while I did all my work, so I know I did not short anything out doing that, but I'm wondering if I maybe I didn't put the wires back in their proper place in the steering column.  there were only three wires, and I know I got two of them right, but I'm wondering about the third one.  
Also coincidentally, both my side front turn lights that come on when using my turn signal, (Not the turn signal bulbs), but the clear one-filament bulb, are no longer working.  They are NOT burned out, and if I put in a two-filament bulb, one of the filaments does light, but is very dim. Could these two things be connected?  What can I do to fix this?

ANSWER: Hi Gregory:
I give you credit for getting the airbag off of the steering wheel.  Some of those Buicks can be difficult.
The only wires you took off on the airbag were the red horn contact wire (push and turn), a black ground wire, (just slides onto a post) and the yellow connector with the safety lock (airbag wires); if you have steering wheel radio controls then instead of the black wire there was another larger connector that just slides into its other half).
If you put those back on (especially the yellow connector), then it's nothing you did.
My suspicion is that the shop neglected to reconnect some of the wires at the bulk connector under the dash when they were reassembling the job.  If I am not mistaken, the multifunction switch came with a new harness attached and needed to be fished down the side of the column.  Well, along side those wires are the wires for the airbag and another connector as well (another yellow connector just like the one under the airbag module).
As far as the cornering lights go, you may have gotten a switch for a vehicle without cornering lights, therefore no signal is being sent to those lamps.
Someone has to go back to the beginning and check these things out.  Hopefully you saved the old switch to compare wire harnesses.
Good Luck


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

QUESTION: Thank you...thank you...thank you.  I re-removed my air bag, and there was the yellow wire unattached!!! I distinctly remember putting it on, and snapping down on the lock tab, but it OBVIOUSLY didn't lock on. But, hey I'm getting pretty good at removing the air bag..with just a flat head screwdriver, a little twist in each hole on each side and it pops off.  Only about 5 minutes start to finish. Thank you.
Now on to the side lights, I know there is power going to them, but apparently not enough.  The passenger side lamp was working when I drove the car to Oshkosh and back, at night but stopped working when I lifted the hood to check on the drivers side.  I kept using the blinkers back and forth to check out the system, because this is my wife's car and I seldom drive it. I checked under the dash for unconnected wires at the harness, everything looks tight.

One caviat though, this IS a junk yard switch taken off a 2001 buick.  But other than this little snafu, it is working MUCH better than the original one taken out. The other one had too much play on the high/low switch and the blinker arm was hitting the steering wheel back, and the cruise wasn't engaging right away all the time.  Why would a two filament bulb partially light up when inserted into this socket?  This is no big deal, but I sure liked those side turning lights, especially on dark rainy nights.

Thank you again for your help.  I feel much safer now.

Greg Heiar

Answer
HI again Greg:
Kudos on the airbag repair.  Soon you'll have my job!
If the lights light up dimly, then the problem is a poor ground.  Check the small black wire going from the negative battery cable to the fender.  If if is loose of rusted, remove it and reattach it elsewhere on the fender.  This is the body ground and completes the circuit for many of the front lights.  If you don't find that wire or it seems clean & tight, look around the lamps themselves for the ground wire going to them.  There you will find the problem.