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Home >> Ford >> 2000 >> Contour SE, 2.0 3, Standard >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 268 (Supplemental Restraint System - Air Bag Restraint Systems) >> Diagnostic Tests >> Test I: Restraint System-Side Curtain Air Bag Status (DTC B2294) >> Possible Causes

Possible Causes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer and 2004 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

A side curtain air bag status fault could be caused by faulty wiring, terminals or connectors, faulty side curtain air bag module or faulty RCM.

  1. 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 ON position. Retrieve and record any continuous Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). See RETRIEVING FAULT CODES  under DIAGNOSTICS. Perform on-demand self-test. See ON-DEMAND SELF-TEST  under DIAGNOSTICS. Retrieve and record any flagged faults. If vehicle is not equipped with side curtain air bags and DTC B2294 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is hard. Go to next step. If vehicle is equipped with side curtain air bags and DTC B2294 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is hard. Go to step  3 . If DTC B2294 was not retrieved, fault is intermittent. Go to step  17 .

  2. Check side curtain air bag bridge resistor

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM  under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Access and disconnect side curtain air bag bridge resistor. See SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG BRIDGE RESISTOR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Install known good side curtain air bag bridge resistor. Turn ignition switch to ON position. Perform on-demand self-test. If DTC B2294 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, use flagged faults recorded in step  1 to find appropriate step. If flagged fault of "?" was recorded, multiple faults exist. Entire test must be carried out before replacing RCM.
    • For right side curtain air bag module (PFCURTN) with a short to battery (STB), go to step  4 .
    • For right side curtain air bag module (PFCURTN) with a short to ground (STG), go to step  5 .
    • For right side curtain air bag module (PFCURTN) with an open circuit (O-CIR), go to step  6 .
    • For right side curtain air bag module (PFCURTN) with low resistance (LOWRES), go to step  8 .

    If DTC B2294 was not retrieved, fault is corrected. Go to step  18 .

  3. Check right & left side curtain air bag modules

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM  under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Turn ignition switch to ON position. Perform on-demand self-test. If DTC B2294 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, use flagged faults recorded in step  1 to find appropriate step. If flagged fault of "?" was recorded, multiple faults exist. Entire test must be carried out before replacing RCM.
    • For left side curtain air bag module (DFCURTN) with short to battery (STB) fault, go to next step.
    • For left side curtain air bag module (DFCURTN) with short to ground (STG) fault, go to step  5 .
    • For left side curtain air bag module (DFCURTN) with an open circuit (O-CIR), go to step  6 .
    • For left side curtain air bag module (DFCURTN) with low resistance (LOWRES), go to step  8 .
    • For right side curtain air bag module (PFCURTN) with a short to battery (STB), go to step  10 .
    • For right side curtain air bag module (PFCURTN) with a short to ground (STG), go to step  11 .
    • For right side curtain air bag module (PFCURTN) with an open circuit (O-CIR), go to step  12 .
    • For right side curtain air bag module (PFCURTN) with low resistance (LOWRES), go to step  14 .

    If DTC B2294 was not retrieved during on-demand self-test and if flagged fault of "?" was recorded, multiple faults exist. Entire test must be carried out before replacing air bag module. Go to step  18 . If fault was flagged against right or left side curtain air bag module, replace appropriate side curtain air bag module. See SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG MODULE  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Go to step  18 .

    NOTE: Due to shorting bar feature in electrical connector, fault can exist in either circuit. Do not remove or defeat shorting bars.

  4. Check circuits for short to battery between RCM & left side curtain air bag module

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. On models equipped with side curtain air bag modules, remove air bag simulator from left side curtain air bag module harness connector. On models not equipped with side curtain air bag modules, remove bridge resistor from left side curtain air bag module harness connector. See SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG BRIDGE RESISTOR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Access RCM and disconnect connector C310B. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Connect negative battery cable. Turn ignition switch to ON position. Measure voltage between ground and harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminals No. 3 (White/Light Blue wire, circuit No. 1257). See Figure . Measure voltage between ground and harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminals No. 4 (Red wire, circuit No. 1258). If voltage is more than 0.2 volt in either circuit, repair short to battery in appropriate wire. See WIRING DIAGRAMS  . Go to step  18 . If voltage is less than 0.2 volt in both circuits, go to step  16 .
    NOTE: Due to shorting bar feature in electrical connector, fault can exist in either circuit. Do not remove or defeat shorting bars.

  5. Check circuits for short to ground between RCM & left side curtain air bag module

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. On models equipped with side curtain air bag modules, remove air bag simulator from left side curtain air bag module harness connector. On models not equipped with side curtain air bag modules, remove bridge resistor from left side curtain air bag module harness connector. See SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG BRIDGE RESISTOR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Access RCM and disconnect connector C310B. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Measure resistance between ground and harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 3 (White/Light Blue wire, circuit No. 1257). Measure resistance between ground and harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 4 (Red wire, circuit No. 1258). See Figure . If resistance is less than one megohm, repair short to ground in appropriate circuit. See WIRING DIAGRAMS  . Go to step  18 . If resistance is more than one megohm, go to step  16 .

  6. Check circuit between RCM & left side curtain air bag module for open

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. On models equipped with side curtain air bag modules, remove air bag simulator from left side curtain air bag module harness connector. On models not equipped with side curtain air bag modules, remove bridge resistor from left side curtain air bag module harness connector. See SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG BRIDGE RESISTOR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Access RCM and disconnect connector C310B. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Measure resistance in White/Light Blue wire (circuit No. 1257) between harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 3 and harness side of left side curtain air bag connector. See Figure . If resistance is less than 0.5 ohm, go to next step. If resistance is more than 0.5 ohm, repair open in White/Light Blue wire. See WIRING DIAGRAMS  . Go to step  18 .

  7. Check circuit between RCM & left side curtain air bag module for open

    Measure resistance in Red wire (circuit No. 1258) between harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 4 and harness side of left side curtain air bag connector. If resistance is less than 0.5 ohm, go to step  16 . If resistance is more than 0.5 ohm, repair open in Red wire. Go to step  18 .

  8. Check circuits for low resistance between RCM & left side curtain air bag module

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. On models equipped with side curtain air bag modules, remove air bag simulator from left side curtain air bag module harness connector. On models not equipped with side curtain air bag modules, remove bridge resistor from left side curtain air bag module harness connector. See SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG BRIDGE RESISTOR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Disconnect left side curtain air bag simulator from harness connector. Measure resistance between White/Light Blue wire (circuit No. 1257) and Red wire (circuit No. 1258) on harness side of left side curtain air bag connector. See WIRING DIAGRAMS  . If resistance is less than 10 k/ohms, go to next step. If resistance is more than 10 k/ohms, go to step  16 .

  9. Check RCM circuits for low resistance

    Access and disconnect RCM connector C310B. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Measure resistance between component side of RCM connector No C310B, pins No. 3 and 4. See Figure . If resistance is less than 10 k/ohms, go to step  16 . If resistance is more than 10 k/ohms, repair low resistance in appropriate wire.
    NOTE: Due to shorting bar feature in electrical connector, fault can exist in either circuit. Do not remove or defeat shorting bars.

  10. Check circuits for short to battery between RCM & right side curtain air bag module

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Access RCM and disconnect connector C310B. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Disconnect right side curtain air bag simulator from harness connector. Connect negative battery cable. Turn ignition switch to ON position. Measure voltage between ground and harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 5 (Yellow/White wire, circuit No. 1259). See Figure . Measure voltage between ground and harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 6 (Brown/Yellow wire, circuit No. 1260). If voltage is more than 0.2 volt in either circuit, repair short to battery in appropriate wire. See WIRING DIAGRAMS  . Go to step  18 . If voltage is less than 0.2 volt in both circuits, go to step  16 .
    NOTE: Due to shorting bar feature in electrical connector, fault can exist in either circuit. Do not remove or defeat shorting bars.

  11. Check circuits for short to ground between RCM & right side curtain air bag module

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Access RCM and disconnect connector C310B. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Disconnect right side curtain air bag simulator from harness connector. Measure resistance between ground and harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminals No. 5 (Yellow/White wire, circuit No. 1259). See Figure . Measure resistance between ground and harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminals No. 6 (Brown/Yellow wire, circuit No. 1260). If resistance is less than one megohm in either circuit, repair short to ground in appropriate wire. See WIRING DIAGRAMS  . Go to step  18 . If resistance is more than one megohm, go to step  16 .

  12. Check circuit between RCM & right side curtain air bag module for open

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Access RCM and disconnect connector C310B. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Disconnect right side curtain air bag simulator from harness connector. Connect negative battery cable. Measure resistance in Yellow/White wire (circuit No. 1259) between harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 5 and harness side of right side curtain air bag connector. See Figure . If resistance is less than 0.5 ohm, go to next step. If resistance is more than 0.5 ohm, repair open in Yellow/White wire. See WIRING DIAGRAMS  . Go to step  18 .

  13. Check circuit between RCM & right side curtain air bag module for open

    Measure resistance in Brown/Yellow wire (circuit No. 1260) between and RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 6 and harness side of right side curtain air bag connector. If resistance is less than 0.5 ohm, go to next step. If resistance is more than 0.5 ohm, repair open in Brown/Yellow wire. Go to step  18 .

  14. Check circuits for low resistance between RCM & right side curtain air bag module

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disconnect right side curtain air bag simulator from harness connector. Measure resistance between Yellow/White wire (circuit No. 1259) and Brown/Yellow wire (circuit No. 1260) on harness side of right side curtain air bag connector. See WIRING DIAGRAMS  . If resistance is less than 10 k/ohms, go to next step. If resistance is more than 10 k/ohms, go to step  16 .

  15. Check RCM circuits for low resistance

    Disconnect negative battery cable and wait at least one minute. Access RCM and disconnect connector C310B. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Connect negative battery cable. Measure resistance between component side of RCM connector No 2041B, pins No. 5 and 6. See Figure . If resistance is less than 10 k/ohms, go to step  16 . If resistance is more than 10 k/ohms, repair low resistance in Yellow/White wire or Brown/Yellow wire.
    NOTE: Ensure all air bag system simulators, sensor electrical connectors and RCM electrical connectors are connected prior to carrying out on-demand self-test or erroneous faults may be set.

  16. Confirm RCM fault

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Reconnect all air bag module simulators and air bag bridge resistors. Reconnect RCM connectors. Connect negative battery cable. Turn ignition switch to ON position. Perform on-demand self-test. Retrieve and record any flagged faults. If DTC B2294 was retrieved during on-demand self-test and "?" was flagged by scan tool, carry out entire test before replacing RCM. Replace RCM. Go to step  18 . If DTC B2294 was not retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is corrected. Go to step  18 .

  17. 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. Flag DTC 2294. If DTC B2294 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, retrieve and record any flagged faults. Check for causes of intermittent fault at or near affected air bag module connector. Repair any intermittent problems found and go to next step. If intermittent problem was not found, use flagged faults to find appropriate test step. If flagged fault "?" was recorded, multiple faults exist and entire test must be carried out before replacing RCM.
    • For left side curtain air bag module (DFCURTN) with short to battery (STB) fault, go to step  4 .
    • For left side curtain air bag module (DFCURTN) with short to ground (STG) fault, go to step  5 .
    • For left side curtain air bag module (DFCURTN) with an open circuit (O-CIR), go to step  6 .
    • For left side curtain air bag module (DFCURTN) with low resistance (LOWRES), go to step  8 .
    • For right side curtain air bag module (PFCURTN) with a short to battery (STB), go to step  10 .
    • For right side curtain air bag module (PFCURTN) with a short to ground (STG), go to step  11 .
    • For right side curtain air bag module (PFCURTN) with an open circuit (O-CIR), go to step  12 .
    • For right side curtain air bag module (PFCURTN) with low resistance (LOWRES), go to step  14 .

    If DTC B2294 was not retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is intermittent. Attempt to recreate fault by flexing wire harness and cycling ignition switch frequently. Repair any intermittent problems found. Go to next step.

  18. 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 IDENTIFICATION  table. DO NOT clear any DTCs until all DTCs have been resolved. If no 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.
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