Pinpoint Test A: The Air Bag Indicator Is Illuminated Continuously - RCM Disconnected Or Inoperative, Loss Of Battery Feed Or Loss Of Signal Ground

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer and 2005 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Most faults are due to connector and/or wiring concerns. Carry out a thorough Inspection and Verification before proceeding with the Pinpoint Test.

A1 CHECK FOR CONTINUOUS OR ON-DEMAND SELF TEST DTCs
WARNING: Restraint system diagnostic tools are for service only. Tools must be removed prior to operating the vehicle over the road. Failure to remove restraint system diagnostic tools could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.

WARNING: Do not handle, move or change the original horizontal mounting position of the restraints control module (RCM) while the RCM is connected and the ignition switch is ON. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the inadvertent deployment of the safety canopy and risk of personal injury.

WARNING: Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.

WARNING: The safety belt pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device. Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag equipped vehicle and when handling a safety belt buckle pretensioner or safety belt retractor pretensioner. Never probe a pretensioner electrical connector. Doing so could result in pretensioner or air bag deployment and could result in personal injury.

WARNING: Never probe the electrical connector on a safety canopy module. Doing so can result in safety canopy deployment.

NOTE: After diagnosing or repairing a supplemental restraint system (SRS), the restraint system diagnostic tools must be removed before operating the vehicle over the road.

NOTE: The SRS must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.
- Enter the following diagnostic mode on the diagnostic tool: Retrieve Continuous DTCs.
- Enter the following diagnostic mode on the diagnostic tool: On-Demand Self Test.
- Were any continuous or on-demand self test DTCs retrieved?
- Yes : If continuous DTCs were retrieved, GO to A2. If on-demand DTCs were retrieved, GO to the RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM) DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) TABLE for pinpoint test direction.
- No : GO to A2.
A2 CHECK THE RCM CONNECTION
- Key in OFF position.
- Depower the system. refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEPOWERING AND REPOWERING .
- Connect: RCM C310a.
- Is RCM C310a fully connected and the connector locking tab engaged?
- Yes : GO to A3.
- No : CONNECT C310a and ENGAGE the locking tab. GO to A7.
A3 CHECK CIRCUIT 1003 (GY/YE) FOR AN OPEN
- Deactivate the SRS. refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEACTIVATION AND REACTIVATION .
- Disconnect: RCM C310a.
- Measure the voltage between RCM C310a pin 12, circuit 1003 (GY/YE), harness side and ground.
  
  Fig 1: Measuring Voltage Between RCM Connector And Ground
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the voltage between 9 and 16 volts?
- Yes : GO to A4.
- No : REPAIR circuit 1003 (GY/YE). GO to A7.
A4 CHECK CIRCUIT 649 (BK/OG) FOR AN OPEN
- Key in OFF position.
- Measure the resistance between RCM C310a pin 16, circuit 649 (BK/OG), harness side and ground.
  
  Fig 2: Measuring Resistance Between RCM connector And Ground
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the resistance less than 5 ohms?
- Yes : GO to A5.
- No : REPAIR circuit 649 (BK/OG). GO to A7.
A5 CHECK INDICATOR LAMP OPERATION (DRIVE LAMP OFF)
- Connect: Instrument Cluster Module C220b.
- Key in ON position.
- Connect a fused jumper between the RCM C310a pin 19, circuit 608 (BK/YE), harness side and ground.
  
  Fig 3: Connecting Fused Jumper Between RCM Connector And Ground
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the indicator lamp off ?
- Yes : INSTALL a new RCM. REFER to RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM) . GO to A6.
- No : REPAIR or INSTALL a new instrument cluster module. REFER to INSTRUMENT CLUSTER . GO to A6.
A6 CHECK CIRCUIT 608 (BK/YE) FOR AN OPEN
- Disconnect: RCM C310a.
- Disconnect: Instrument Cluster Module C220b.
- Measure the resistance between instrument cluster module C220b pin 3, circuit 608 (BK/YE), harness side and RCM C310a pin 19, circuit 608 (BK/YE), harness side.
  
  Fig 4: Checking Circuit 608 (BK/YE) For An Open
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the resistance less than 5 ohms?
- Yes : GO to A7.
- No : REPAIR circuit 608 (BK/YE). GO to A7.
A7 CHECK FOR ADDITIONAL DTCs
- Refer to the continuous DTCs recorded during Step A1.
- Were any continuous DTCs retrieved during Step A1?
- Yes : Do not clear any DTCs until all DTCs have been resolved. GO to the RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM) DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) TABLE for pinpoint test direction.
- No : RECONNECT the system. If previously directed to deactivate the system, REACTIVATE the system. refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEACTIVATION AND REACTIVATION . REPOWER the system. refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEPOWERING AND REPOWERING . PROVE OUT the system. CLEAR all DTCs.