Possible Causes
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Ford Pickup, 2004 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2004 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2004 Ford Excursion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
An AIR BAG warning light that is continuously illuminated may be caused by disconnected RCM, damaged battery or ignition circuit, loss of ground circuit to RCM, inoperative RCM, faulty shorting bar or camming beam in connector, or grounded AIR BAG warning light circuit.
- Check for hard or intermittent DTC
Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Connect scan tool to Data Link Connector (DLC). See USING SCAN TOOL under DIAGNOSTICS. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Retrieve and record any continuous DTCs. See RETRIEVING FAULT CODES under DIAGNOSTICS. Perform on-demand self-test. See ON-DEMAND SELF-TEST . If continuous DTCs were retrieved, go to step 3. If on-demand DTCs were retrieved, go to diagnostic trouble code identification table for direction to appropriate test. See DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) IDENTIFICATION table. If no DTCs were retrieved, go to next step. - Check RCM connection
Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Access RCM. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Ensure RCM connector is fully connected and Red locking tab is engaged. If RCM connector is fully connected and Red locking tab is engaged, go to next step. If RCM connector is not fully connected and/or Red locking tab is not engaged, reconnect connector and engage locking tab. Go to step 7.NOTE: Shorting bars may be accessed by prying out Blue cover from harness side of connector. - Check RCM connector
Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Access RCM and disconnect connector. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Inspect component side of RCM connector for worn or damaged camming beam and/or any foreign material. See Fig 1. Inspect RCM connector for worn, damaged or dislodged shorting bar at terminals No. 20 and 21. If camming beams and shorting bars are okay, go to next step. If camming beams and shorting bars are defective, repair or replace as necessary. Go to step 7. - Check RCM ignition circuit for open
Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Measure voltage between sheet metal ground near RCM and harness side of RCM connector terminal No. 2 (Orange/Yellow wire, circuit No. 609). See Fig 2. If voltage is 9-16 volts, go to next step. If voltage is not 9-16 volts, repair open in Orange/Yellow wire. See WIRING DIAGRAMS . Go to step 7. - Check ground circuit for open
Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Measure resistance between sheet metal ground near RCM and harness side of RCM connector terminal No. 21 (Black/Orange wire, circuit No. 649). If resistance is less than 10 ohms, go to next step. If resistance is more than 10 ohms, repair open in Black/Orange wire. Go to step 7. - Check for short to ground
Measure resistance between harness side of RCM connector terminals No. 20 (Black/Yellow wire, circuit No. 608) and No. 21 (Black/Orange wire). If resistance is less than 5 ohms, repair short to ground in Black/Yellow wire. Go to next step. If resistance is more than 5 ohms, replace RCM. Go to next step. - Check for additional DTCs
Refer to continuous DTCs recorded in step 1. If any continuous DTCs were retrieved, go to diagnostic trouble code identification table for direction to appropriate test. See DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) IDENTIFICATION table. DO NOT clear any DTCs until all DTCs have been resolved. If no continuous DTCs were retrieved, reconnect air bag system. Activate air bag system. See ACTIVATING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Clear all DTCs. See CLEARING FAULT CODES under DIAGNOSTICS.Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.