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Home >> Ford >> 2000 >> Contour SE, 2.5 L, Standard >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 109 (Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System) >> Diagnostic Tests >> Test J: RCM Bracket Ground Resistance High (DTC B1921) >> Possible Causes

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.

High resistance between RCM housing ground and terminal ground could be caused by improper tightening of RCM mounting bolts, high resistance in RCM logic ground (Black wire, circuit No. 57) or RCM internal fault.

  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 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 B1921 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is hard. Go to next step. If DTC B1921 was not retrieved, fault is intermittent. Go to step  6 .
  2. Check mounting of RCM

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM  under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Access and remove RCM. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Inspect RCM, mounting bracket and mounting surface for damage or corrosion. Inspect RCM bracket bolts are fully seated and tightened properly. If bracket and mounting surface is okay and mounting bolts were tight, go to next step. If bracket and mounting surface is not okay and/or mounting bolts were not tight, repair or replace as necessary. Install RCM and go to step  7 .
  3. Check RCM harness connection

    Ensure RCM connector C2041A terminals are okay and connector is fully connected. If RCM connector C2041A terminals are okay and connector is fully connected, go to next step. If RCM connector C2041A terminals are not okay and/or connector is not fully connected, repair or replace as necessary and/or reconnect connector. Go to step  7 .
  4. Check vehicle chassis ground

    Measure resistance between a known-good ground and RCM mounting surface. If resistance more than 100 ohms, repair grounding system. Go to step  7 . If resistance is less than 100 ohms, go to next step.
  5. Check ground circuit for open

    Ensure ignition switch is in OFF position. Disconnect RCM harness connector C2041A. Measure resistance between chassis ground near RCM and harness side of RCM connector C2041A, terminal No. 21 (Black wire, circuit No. 57). See Figure . If resistance is more than 100 ohms, repair open in Black wire. See WIRING DIAGRAMS  . Go to step  7 . If resistance is less than 100 ohms, replace RCM. Go to next step.
  6. Check for intermittent fault

    Refer to continuous DTCs recorded in step  1 . If DTC retrieved in step  1 was an intermittent fault, check for cause of high resistance in Black 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. If DTC retrieved in step  1 was not an intermittent fault, go to next step.
  7. 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. Reactivate air bag system. See ACTIVATING SYSTEM  under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Clear all DTCs. See CLEARING FAULT CODES  under DIAGNOSTICS.