Airbag light not coming on

[vandep32]

The airbag light on the dash is not coming on. I just failed a safety inspection because of this. Does anyone know why that might not come on? Or any possible solutions to check for?

 

[Bedrck47]

First you need to see if the light is blown out You will have to remove the instrument cluster to check or replace the bulb

 

[vandep32]

All bulbs look good. I also checked the owners manual and there were not any fuses associated with the airbag system. At least none that were labeled.

I was also reading that it could be the LED bulb soldered into the cluster. I ran a test of the dash lights by pressing the odometer reset button and turning on the car at the same time. The airbag light did not illuminate during the test. How can i troubleshoot this further?

What bulb would i need to buy to re-solder and fix this issue?

 

[Bedrck47]

check fuse #19 10A* Restraints Control Module (RCM)
Use a meter when checking the fuse

 

[vandep32]

I checked that fuse too. It was good. I feel like that shouldn't be the issue. How would a fuse just affect one light within the instrument cluster?

 

[Bedrck47]

two questions how did you test the fuse and did you try putting the bulb in a different socket?

 

[Bedrck47]

I checked that fuse too. It was good. I feel like that shouldn't be the issue. How would a fuse just affect one light within the instrument cluster?

The lamp for the air bags gets it signal from a switch internal in the Restraints Control Module. If the fuse to that module was blown the switch wouldn't be able to close in order for the lamp to come on.

 

[vandep32]

So i found out while taking apart the entire instrument cluster, that there are several dash lights which are hardwired into the circuit board. The airbag light is one of them. It had exploded or broke somehow. So now i just have to re-solder a new bulb and then i should be good to go. I will update tomorrow.

 

[Bedrck47]

Thanks for that information about lamps being hardwired
Keep us posted

 

[vandep32]

So i successfully replaced the led bulb. When i plugged everything back in it began to blink in a sequence. It would blink 3 times, pause for a few seconds, then blink 4 times. This cycle happened 5 times before the light stayed on for good. Can anyone tell me what code it might be giving?

 

[Bedrck47]

The codes for the lamp flashing were not given


Lamp Fault Codes

When the restraints control module (RCM) detects a system fault, it will cause the air bag indicator to flash a coded sequence: a lamp fault code (LFC). The code is two digits. The first digit is flashed with a 0.5 second interval between pulses. There is a 2 second pause before the second digit is flashed, which also has a 0.5 second interval between pulses. There is a 5 second pause between each display of an LFC.

Each LFC is flashed five times after which the air bag indictor will remain lit for the remainder of the key-on cycle. If there are multiple LFCs, each LFC will flash in order of priority.




Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)

While the lamp fault codes (LFCs) are an indication of a general concern in the passive restraints system, the diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) are more specific. The DTCs can be retrieved from the restraints control module (RCM) with a scan tool via the data link connector (DLC).

 

[stamp11127]

This is from the UK but hopefully the codes are the same:

Airbag Flash Codes - www.FordWiki.co.uk

 

[Bedrck47]

Thanks stamp

 

[stamp11127]

Some of us old timers are still young whipper snappers on the internet....

 

[vandep32]

Is there a way to check codes without a scanner? If not will a cheap one from the local auto store be work just fine for reading codes?

 

[Bedrck47]

no way that I know to check codes with out a code reader. and if your looking for cheap then that is what you may get Find a place that can read codes. Most auto stores will check code for no charge

Tell them what you suspect and ask if their reader will read those codes? for that system

 

[vandep32]

So i did some more investigating. After searching online i found that the 34 code had something to do with the resistance coming from the drivers side. I rechecked all connector under the drivers seat. This is what i found:

There was a black connector right next to the yellow one. I think it is for the power seats or provides power to other functions under there. I removed it to find that it had been melted. I left it apart, started the car and to my surprise i was getting a different code. Blinks 5 times, pauses, then blinks once. Assuming this is a 51 code. Do you guys think this conncector could have something to do with the airbag system? I have provided pictures just to help.

 

[vandep32]

I finally gave up and took it to a shop. They told me the passenger seat belt tensioner has to be replaced. They quoted me 500 bucks for the work and the part. I have been trying to find a cheaper one online but no one seems to have it for my car. Anyone know a place I can get it besides the dealer? Maybe even a part number so I can search that way.