Section 205 (Air Bag Restraint Systems): Diagnostics: Self-Diagnostics

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Ford Econoline. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

During vehicle operation, the Electronic Crash Sensor (ECS) module detects and stores both intermittent and hard failure codes in non-volatile memory. The ECS will also display a Light Fault Code (LFC) on the AIR BAG warning light. Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) can be retrieved with the New Generation Star (NGS) tester, Worldwide Diagnostic System (WDS) tester or equivalent scan tool using the retrieve/clear continuous codes option. If no DTCs are present, scan tool will display SYSTEM PASSED message. Once a fault code is logged in ECS memory, it will stay in memory until 126 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, ECS will check each electrical component in system. If fault is detected, DTC is displayed on scan tool screen 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.