Test Ag: Air Bag Warning Light Short To Battery (DTC B1870): Description
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.
AIR BAG warning light is designed to illuminate for 6 seconds when ignition switch is turned to RUN position. The initial 6 second illumination is normal and is call prove-out. The AIR BAG warning light is then used to warn vehicle operator that there is a fault in the air bag system.
Restraints Control Module (RCM) monitors AIR BAG warning light for short to battery voltage conditions. If RCM detects short to battery voltage in AIR BAG warning light circuit, it will store Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) 1870 in memory. In RCM detects AIR BAG warning light failure in addition to another air bag system failure, it will send signal to instrument cluster to produce 5 sets of 5 tone bursts.