Possible Causes
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Ford Escape. 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 damaged scan tool.
- 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 SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Access RCM. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Ensure RCM connector C2041A is fully connected and Red locking tab is engaged. If RCM connector C2041A is fully connected and Red locking tab is engaged, go to next step. If RCM connector C2041A 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 C2041A. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Inspect component side of connector, for worn or damaged camming beam and/or any foreign material. See Fig 1 . Inspect RCM connector C2041A 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. Go to step 7 . - Check RCM ignition circuit connection
Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Measure voltage between sheet metal ground near RCM and harness side of RCM connector C2041A, terminal No. 2 (White/Violet wire, circuit No. 296). See Fig 2 . If voltage is 9-16 volts, go to next step. If voltage is not 9-16 volts, repair open in White/Violet 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 C2041A, terminal No. 21 (Black wire, circuit No. 57). If resistance is less than 10 ohms, go to next step. If resistance is more than 10 ohms, repair open in Black wire. Go to step 7 . - Check for short to ground
Access and disconnect instrument cluster harness connector C220B. See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Reconnect RCM harness connector C2041A. Measure resistance between ground and harness side of instrument cluster connector C220B, terminal No. 11 (Black/Yellow wire, circuit No. 608). If resistance is less than 10 k/ohms, repair short to ground in Black/Yellow wire. Go to next step. If resistance is more than 10 k/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. DO NOT clear any DTCs until all DTCs have been resolved. See DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) IDENTIFICATION table. 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.