Section 111 (Air Bag Restraint Systems): Diagnostics: Self-Diagnostics

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Lincoln Blackwood. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

During vehicle operation, the Restraints Control Module (RCM) detects and stores both intermittent and hard failure codes in non-volatile memory. The RCM will also display a Light Flash Code (LFC) on the AIR BAG warning light.

When RCM detects a system fault, it will cause AIR BAG warning light to flash a LFC in a coded sequence. The code is 2 digits. The first digit is flashed with a 0.5-second interval between the pulses. After a 2-second interval, the second digit is flashed with a 0.5-second interval between the pulses. There is a 5-second interval between each LFC.

Each LFC is flashed 3 times, after which the AIR BAG warning light will remain illuminated for the rest of the key-on cycle. If there are multiple LFCs, each LFC will be flashed in order of priority. Each LFC has one or more associated Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).

DTCs can be retrieved with scan tool, using the retrieve/clear continuous codes option. If no DTCs are present, scan tool will display SYSTEM PASSED message. Once a DTC is logged in RCM memory, it will stay in memory until 128 ignition cycles have been recorded or until scan tool is used to erase the DTCs.

The on-demand self-test can be used to verify there are no electrical faults within air bag system. During this test RCM will check each electrical component in system. If fault is detected, DTC is displayed on scan tool with brief description of fault. Faults detected during self test are not stored in memory, unless same fault was detected during normal vehicle operation. Self test should be run after service to verify operation.