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 inoperative condition could be caused by damaged Black/Yellow wire (circuit No. 608), damaged or burned out AIR BAG warning light bulb, instrument cluster malfunction or faulty RCM.
- 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 under DIAGNOSTICS. If DTC B1869 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is hard. Go to next step. If DTC B1869 was not retrieved, fault is intermittent. Go to step 6. - Check RCM
Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Access RCM and disconnect harness connector. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Measure resistance between chassis ground and component side of RCM connector pin No. 20. See Fig 1. If resistance is more than 10 ohms, go to next step. If resistance is less than 10 ohms, replace RCM. Go to step 7. - Check circuit for short to ground
Ensure ignition is in OFF position. Access and disconnect instrument cluster connector C220C. See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Measure resistance between ground and component side of instrument cluster connector C220C, terminal No. 14. See Fig 2. If resistance is less than 100 ohms, repair short to ground in instrument cluster. See WIRING DIAGRAMS . Go to step 7. If resistance is more than 100 ohms, go to next step. - Check circuit for open
Disconnect RCM harness connector. Measure resistance between ground and harness side of instrument cluster connector C220C, terminal No. 14 (Black/Yellow wire). See Fig 3. If resistance is more than 10 ohms, repair open in Black/Yellow wire. Go to step 7. If resistance is less than 10 ohms, go to next step. - Check AIR BAG warning light
Reconnect instrument cluster connector C220C. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Connect fused jumper wire between ground and harness side of RCM connector pin No. 20. If AIR BAG warning light illuminates, replace RCM. Go to step 7. If AIR BAG warning light does not illuminate, repair or replace instrument cluster as necessary. Go to step 7. - Check for intermittent fault
Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Perform on-demand self-test. If DTC B1869 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is hard. Go to step 2. If DTC B1869 was not retrieved, fault is intermittent. Check for cause of intermittent short to ground or open in Black/Yellow wire. See WIRING DIAGRAMS . Attempt to recreate fault by flexing wire harness and cycling ignition switch frequently. Repair any intermittent problems found. 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.