Possible Causes
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mercury Monterey and 2004 Ford Freestar. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
A left seat belt buckle switch open circuit fault could be caused by damaged wiring, terminals or connectors, faulty seat belt buckle switch or a faulty RCM.
- 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 ON position. Retrieve and record any continuous Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). See RETRIEVING FAULT CODES under DIAGNOSTICS. Perform on-demand self-test. See ON-DEMAND SELF-TEST under DIAGNOSTICS. If DTC B2432 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is hard. Go to next step. If DTC B2432 was not retrieved, fault is intermittent. Go to step 6 . - Check circuit for open
Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. On models equipped with side air bag modules, ensure left front seat is removed from vehicle. On all models, access RCM and disconnect connector C310B. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Measure resistance in Brown/Light Blue wire (circuit No. 85) between harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 25 and harness side of seat belt buckle switch connector. See Figure . See WIRING DIAGRAMS . If resistance is less than 0.5 ohm, go to next step. If resistance is more than 0.5 ohm, repair open in Brown/Light Blue wire. Go to step 7 . - Check circuit for open
Measure resistance in Tan/Black wire (circuit No. 1558) between harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 24 and harness side of seat belt buckle switch connector. If resistance is less than 0.5 ohm, go to next step. If resistance is more than 0.5 ohm, repair open in Tan/Black wire. Go to step 7 . - Check seat belt buckle switch
Reconnect RCM connector C310B. Install known-good seat belt buckle. See SEAT BELT BUCKLE PRETENSIONER/SWITCH ASSEMBLY under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Position left front seat in vehicle. Do not activate air bag system at this time. Reconnect left front seat harness connectors. Turn ignition switch to ON position. Perform on-demand self-test. If DTC B2432 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, go to next step. If DTC B2432 was not retrieved, attempt to recreate fault by flexing wire harness and cycling ignition switch frequently. Activate other systems in same wire harness. Repair any intermittent problems found. Go to step 7 .NOTE: Ensure all air bag system simulators, sensor electrical connectors and RCM electrical connectors are connected prior to carrying out on-demand self-test or erroneous faults may be set. - Confirm RCM Fault
Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Reinstall original seat belt buckle. Connect RCM harness connector C310B. Turn ignition switch to ON position. Perform on-demand self-test. If DTC B2432 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, replace RCM. Go to step 7 . If DTC B2432 was not retrieved during on-demand self-test, attempt to recreate fault by flexing wire harness and cycling ignition switch frequently. Activate other systems in same wire harness. Repair any intermittent problems found. Go to step 7 . - Check for intermittent fault
Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. On models equipped with side air bag modules, DO NOT remove left front seat at this time. Perform on-demand self-test. If DTC B2432 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, go to step 2 . If DTC B2432 was not retrieved during on-demand self-test, check for cause of intermittent fault. See WIRING DIAGRAMS . Attempt to recreate fault by flexing wire harness and cycling ignition switch frequently. Activate other systems in same wire harness. Repair any intermittent problems found. Go to next step. - 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. See DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE IDENTIFICATION table. DO NOT clear any DTCs until all DTCs have been resolved. If no DTCs were retrieved, reconnect air bag system. Activate air bag system. See ACTIVATING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Clear all DTCs. See CLEARING FAULT CODES under DIAGNOSTICS.