We recently replaced the steering column and after the airbag light and traction control lights are on. The wheel did not spin while replacing so that's not it, but does anybody have any clue what might have made these all come on at once and how to get them off? My 72 year old father has been working on it and it's about to drive him nuts.

 

You forgot step 1 and survived:

Disconnect battery terminal to prevent deployment.

Simply> clear the codes< with a proper scan tool.

 

We did both those and came right back on.

 

Post the trouble codes.