Possible Causes
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Ford Ranger. 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 or faulty shorting bar or camming beam in connector.
- Check for hard or intermittent DTC
Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Connect scan tool to 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 & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM . Access Restraints Control Module (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. Access Restraints Control Module (RCM) and disconnect connector. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Inspect RCM, component side of 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 No. 21. See Fig 1 & Fig 2 . 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 and go to step 7 . - Check RCM ignition circuit for open
Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Measure voltage between ground and RCM harness connector terminal No. 2 (Black/Light Green wire, circuit No. 364). See Fig 2 . If voltage is 9-16 volts, go to next step. If voltage is not 9-16 volts, repair open in Black/Light Green 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 RCM harness 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 and go to step 7 . - Check for short to ground
Measure resistance between RCM harness 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 and 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. DO NOT clear any DTCs until all DTCs have been resolved. See DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) IDENTIFICATION table. If no DTCs were retrieved, reconnect air bag system. Activate air bag system. See ACTIVATING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Perform system operation check. See SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK . Clear all DTCs. See CLEARING FAULT CODES under DIAGNOSTICS.