Air Bag light

[freakstatus]

My air bag light just started coming on and staying on. Do I really need to take it in or is there something I can do on my own?

[FordNut]

If it's not flashing a code when you first start the car and it's just coming on and staying on there's not much you can do to diagnose it. Maybe unplug and reconnect all of the electrical connectors, it might clean up some corroded connectors. The dealer's diagnostic tool is needed to read the codes from the airbag system.

I believe there is a impact sensor mounted under each front seat, an occupancy sensor in each front seat, and an impact sensor mounted on the radiator support panel. The control module is under the dash somewhere.

[B.C. Bake]

I Just corrected an air bag issue, but I wasn't going to post Pict's and solutions until I dissect the impact sensor itself..."too see whats in it". You probably have a flashing code at start up? But it only does it three times, then stays on steady. And the good news is, our MM.net team out there might be able to tell you what the code means. If you correct the problem you can reset it yourself. BTW, "where are the impact sensors". I'll give you a hint there's nothing under the seats! First one gets it right gets a :banana:. Just because it took me awhile to figure this air bag thing out, I have been working off and on with mine for about 2 months now and all gone, learned allot. Will post later when I'm finished.:rolleyes:

[Richy04]

Some sensors are right in the airbag module, two wafer sensors on some cars (Like GM) mounted on the frame so when the delta v limit is exceeded they crack and trigger the bags.

Since we have side impact bags, there is an intrusion sensor on each side of the car detecting side impacts. These sensors that are used for triggering operate by g-force during impact, the blow time is then calculated and they are set off at the exact time they should deploy to save your chest and face from the most damage.

Nowadays, all impact data is recorded, abs lockup, speed, seatbelts, delta v, speed of impact, some weather info, accelerator patterns, last 15-25 seconds of driving data,etc.

Its a little rat in a yellow box under your dash.

[Glockafella]

I have had mine flash at me one time then stay on after leaving mine out in subzero temps all night. I turned the car off and restarted, it went away and hasnt returned.

[freakstatus]

They want $115 just to diagnose it..... Guy says they would need it for half a day. Are they kidding me???

[SC Cheesehead]

They want $115 just to diagnose it..... Guy says they would need it for half a day. Are they kidding me???

$100 or so for an electronic scan sounds about right. The scan will pick up system error codes, and then the tech will go through a list of additional checks to verify causes and corrective actions to clear the code. Depending on what's wrong, it could take some time to resolve.

[Bigdogjim]

$100 or so for an electronic scan sounds about right. The scan will pick up system error codes, and then the tech will go through a list of additional checks to verify causes and corrective actions to clear the code. Depending on what's wrong, it could take some time to resolve.

Yeah just to plug in and read some number then look in a bood and see what they mean? Welcome to the computer age.:mad2:

[SC Cheesehead]

Yeah just to plug in and read some number then look in a bood and see what they mean? Welcome to the computer age.:mad2:

Can't argue that, without the computer, the book, and the tech to read it, we're http://www.google.com/images?q=tbn:D5Z-OgpKvsTEIM::mrinternet.files.w ordpress.com/2009/06/screwed1.jpg&h=94&w=117&usg=__Y0LC1mwI9xiJfwt0ObEI0I1m MeI= (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://mrinternet.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/screwed1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://mrinternet.wordpress.com/2009/06/25/iphone-mania-3gs-australia-prepares-to-stand-in-line-despite-it-being-more-expensive-t-do-so/&h=819&w=1024&sz=169&tbnid=D5Z-OgpKvsTEIM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dscrewed%2Bphoto&hl=en&usg=__aQxLoSOwWjDLj2rMj9fWTG_t auM=&ei=bc9VS9K9EpXiNeju7ZUJ&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=4&ct=image&ved=0CA0Q9QEwAw).

[Ozark Marauder]

Yesterday, I got a new key programmed by experienced locksmith, because I only got one when I bought it. On the third start about an hour later, air bag light flashed 4 times then stayed on, turned it off, tried again, same thing, tried original key, same. I called the dealer, service gal, by the way she has always been very helpful, told me the key programming probably had nothing to do with it, said that air bag light is on a different circuit. Wanted 69.00 for a diagnose. After talking awhile asked her what the usual problems were, she said, seat belt tensioners, cheap fix, and connections in the steering column, very pricey. I said I'd probably call her back Monday. Thought about it awhile, pulled seat belt out and back a couple of times, seemed to tighten up the return of the belt. Turned car on no light. :cool4:

[Raven34]

My airbag light just came on two days ago. It doesnt seem to flash ever but now that I think about it my driver side seat belt has been havin a hard time rolling itsself back in on its own. Will look into that first.

[freakstatus]

Tried the seatbelt thing today and no-go. Would have been cool if it was that simple.

[B.C. Bake]

My airbag light just came on two days ago. It doesnt seem to flash ever but now that I think about it my driver side seat belt has been havin a hard time rolling itsself back in on its own. Will look into that first.

Hey I found out, BTW, It's nothing to do with the seat belt function. But in that same plastic cover " were the seat belt goes into" there is the impact sensor. I dissected mine to pieces "the impact sensor" and it is an electronic circuit board..and they do go bad "IE battery failure, electronic jolt etc. I replaced my right side sensor and all good...More details later....:)

[Ozark Marauder]

Mine started flashing again, 3X paused then 3X paused then 3X then 3x , then stayed on. Did some internet research and found that the flashes correspond to fault codes, mine = fault code 33 according to the ford fault chart

Ford Airbag Fault Codes

Flash Code Component/Fault Description
— No Air Bag Indicator — Inoperative Indicator Circuit
— Continuous Air Bag Indicator — Diagnostic Trouble Code Timed Out, Diagnostic Monitor
Disconnected or Inoperative, or No Ignition Voltage to Diagnostic Monitor
12 Lost Battery Feed
13 Air Bag Circuit Shorted to Ground
14 Primary Crash Sensor Circuit Shorted to Ground
21 Diagnostic Monitor Not Mounted to Vehicle Properly
22 Safing Sensor Output Circuit Shorted to Battery Voltage
23 Memory Clear Circuit Improperly Grounded
24 System Disarm Failure or Internal Diagnostic Monitor Fault
32 Driver Side Air Bag Circuit High Resistance or Open
33 Passenger Side Air Bag Circuit High Resistance or Open
34 Driver Side Air Bag Circuit Low Resistance or Shorted
35 Passenger Side Air Bag Circuit Low Resistance or Shorted
41 Right Radiator Primary Crash Sensor Feed/Return Circuit Open
42 Left Radiator Primary Crash Sensor Feed/Return Circuit Open
44 Right Radiator Crash Sensor Not Mounted to Vehicle Properly
45 Left Radiator Crash Sensor Not Mounted to Vehicle Properly
51 Airbag diagnostic Monitor Internal thermal fuse Blown
52 Back-up Power supply Voltage Boost Fault
53 Front Crash Sensor High Resistance or Diagnostic Monitor Failure

DTC B1933: PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CIRCUIT HIGH RESISTANCE OR OPEN--LAMP FAULT CODE 33

Normal Operation

Note: The air bag connector and the air bag diagnostic monitor harness connector have metal spring clips that act as shorting bars. These shorting bars are built into the plastic hardshell connectors. The shorting bars are designed to short Circuit 607 (LB/O) and 616 (PK/BK) together when the connectors are not mated. DO NOT attempt to remove the air bag shorting bar and measure the resistance of the air bag.

The shorting bar(s) in the air bag diagnostic monitor harness connector may be removed by removing the black spacer (locking wedge) from the connector. Use extreme caution when reinstalling the spacers to make sure they are installed correctly.

While the igniyion is in the RUN position, the air bag diagnostic monitor runs periodic checks on the resistance of the driver and passenger air bag circuits.

l Normal resistance from Pin C1-5, Circuit 607 (LB/O)(passenger air bag feed) to Pin C1-4, Circuit 616 (PK/BK)(passenger air bag return) is between 0.9 ohm and 1.2 ohms. This resistance consists of the passenger air bag module resistance (approximately 1.0 ohm) plus a small amount of resistance due to the wire itself, crimps, etc.

l If the resistance across Pin C1-5, Circuit 607 (LB/O) and C1-4, Circuit 616 (PK/BK) exceeds 3 ohms, the air bag diagnostic monitor will store in memory DTC B1933 and flash lamp fault code 33 on the air bag indicator.

l If the high resistance is later serviced or otherwise falls into the normal range, DTC B1933 will be stored in memory.

Possible Causes

Excessive resistance across Pins C1-5, Circuit 607 (LB/O) and C1-4, Circuit 616 (PK/BK) can be caused by:

l an open circuit or high resistance in the wiring harness in either Pin C1-5, Circuit 607 (LB/O) or Pin C1-4, Circuit 616 (PK/BK) .

l an open circuit or high resistance in the passenger side air bag module. Do not attempt a direct resistance measurement of the air bag. Follow the diagnostic procedure to determine if the air bag resistance is higher than normal.


Electrical Schematic--Diagnostic Trouble Code B1933--Lamp Fault Code 33



² B1933-1: CHECK FOR HARD OR INTERMITTENT DTC
² B1933-2: MEASURE RESISTANCE
² B1933-3: CHECK AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR
² B1933-4: CHECK CIRCUIT 607 (LB/O) FOR OPEN
² B1933-5: CHECK FOR SERVICED DTC
² B1933-6: CHECK AIR BAG CONNECTIONS
² B1933-7: CHECK CIRCUITS 607 (LB/O) AND 616 (PK/BK)
² B1933-8: CHECK FOR OTHER DTCS

Now that I have all this information,

Any suggestions???? or is it dealer time

[freakstatus]

What I'm doing right now is driving with the air bag light on and relying on my seatbelt to save my life. And I will try real hard not to rear end anyone, smash into anything, or have a head on collision with anything.;)

Seriously though, I'll probably hit the dealership soon.

[B.C. Bake]

My air bag problem code 44.Never put Pict's in here so "I'm still lernnin

Oh, code was passenger side air bag sensor failure.:) Replaced it myself and got er done,,,,,,,no more light.

[Ozark Marauder]

Mine started flashing again, 3X paused then 3X paused then 3X then 3x , then stayed on. Did some internet research and found that the flashes correspond to fault codes, mine = fault code 33 according to the ford fault chart

Ford Airbag Fault Codes

Flash Code Component/Fault Description
— No Air Bag Indicator — Inoperative Indicator Circuit
— Continuous Air Bag Indicator — Diagnostic Trouble Code Timed Out, Diagnostic Monitor
Disconnected or Inoperative, or No Ignition Voltage to Diagnostic Monitor
12 Lost Battery Feed
13 Air Bag Circuit Shorted to Ground
14 Primary Crash Sensor Circuit Shorted to Ground
21 Diagnostic Monitor Not Mounted to Vehicle Properly
22 Safing Sensor Output Circuit Shorted to Battery Voltage
23 Memory Clear Circuit Improperly Grounded
24 System Disarm Failure or Internal Diagnostic Monitor Fault
32 Driver Side Air Bag Circuit High Resistance or Open
33 Passenger Side Air Bag Circuit High Resistance or Open
34 Driver Side Air Bag Circuit Low Resistance or Shorted
35 Passenger Side Air Bag Circuit Low Resistance or Shorted
41 Right Radiator Primary Crash Sensor Feed/Return Circuit Open
42 Left Radiator Primary Crash Sensor Feed/Return Circuit Open
44 Right Radiator Crash Sensor Not Mounted to Vehicle Properly
45 Left Radiator Crash Sensor Not Mounted to Vehicle Properly
51 Airbag diagnostic Monitor Internal thermal fuse Blown
52 Back-up Power supply Voltage Boost Fault
53 Front Crash Sensor High Resistance or Diagnostic Monitor Failure

DTC B1933: PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CIRCUIT HIGH RESISTANCE OR OPEN--LAMP FAULT CODE 33

Normal Operation

Note: The air bag connector and the air bag diagnostic monitor harness connector have metal spring clips that act as shorting bars. These shorting bars are built into the plastic hardshell connectors. The shorting bars are designed to short Circuit 607 (LB/O) and 616 (PK/BK) together when the connectors are not mated. DO NOT attempt to remove the air bag shorting bar and measure the resistance of the air bag.

The shorting bar(s) in the air bag diagnostic monitor harness connector may be removed by removing the black spacer (locking wedge) from the connector. Use extreme caution when reinstalling the spacers to make sure they are installed correctly.

While the igniyion is in the RUN position, the air bag diagnostic monitor runs periodic checks on the resistance of the driver and passenger air bag circuits.

l Normal resistance from Pin C1-5, Circuit 607 (LB/O)(passenger air bag feed) to Pin C1-4, Circuit 616 (PK/BK)(passenger air bag return) is between 0.9 ohm and 1.2 ohms. This resistance consists of the passenger air bag module resistance (approximately 1.0 ohm) plus a small amount of resistance due to the wire itself, crimps, etc.

l If the resistance across Pin C1-5, Circuit 607 (LB/O) and C1-4, Circuit 616 (PK/BK) exceeds 3 ohms, the air bag diagnostic monitor will store in memory DTC B1933 and flash lamp fault code 33 on the air bag indicator.

l If the high resistance is later serviced or otherwise falls into the normal range, DTC B1933 will be stored in memory.

Possible Causes

Excessive resistance across Pins C1-5, Circuit 607 (LB/O) and C1-4, Circuit 616 (PK/BK) can be caused by:

l an open circuit or high resistance in the wiring harness in either Pin C1-5, Circuit 607 (LB/O) or Pin C1-4, Circuit 616 (PK/BK) .

l an open circuit or high resistance in the passenger side air bag module. Do not attempt a direct resistance measurement of the air bag. Follow the diagnostic procedure to determine if the air bag resistance is higher than normal.


Electrical Schematic--Diagnostic Trouble Code B1933--Lamp Fault Code 33



² B1933-1: CHECK FOR HARD OR INTERMITTENT DTC
² B1933-2: MEASURE RESISTANCE
² B1933-3: CHECK AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR
² B1933-4: CHECK CIRCUIT 607 (LB/O) FOR OPEN
² B1933-5: CHECK FOR SERVICED DTC
² B1933-6: CHECK AIR BAG CONNECTIONS
² B1933-7: CHECK CIRCUITS 607 (LB/O) AND 616 (PK/BK)
² B1933-8: CHECK FOR OTHER DTCS

Now that I have all this information,

Any suggestions???? or is it dealer time



Got up this morning...... no light.......no problem,,,,,,,,,,WTF :mad2:

[B.C. Bake]

Here's the air bag sensor apart, now I can see how it can go bad. I thought, maybe it was just some sort of slide switch? Didn't even bother to o scope it.

[Ozark Marauder]

My friend (ford mechanic) was fixing a few things, ran the scanner on the air bag light turned out to be drivers seat belt tensioner, 94.00 for the fix.

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

I had 2 separate modules go bad that talk to the computer, a big $500 repair bill.