Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Deactivation and Reactivation: Deactivation

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

WARNING: Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: Carry a live air bag module with the air bag and trim cover pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: Do not set a live air bag module down with the trim cover face down. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.

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 buckle pretensioner and safety belt retractor pretensioner are pyrotechnic devices. Never probe a pretensioner electrical connector. Doing so could result in pretensioner or air bag deployment and could result in personal injury.

WARNING: Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for proper system operation. If a vehicle equipped with an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) is involved in a collision, inspect the sensor mounting bracket and wiring pigtail for deformation. Replace and properly position the sensor or any other damaged supplemental restraint system (SRS) components whether or not the air bag is deployed.

WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system service only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.

NOTE: If a seat equipped with a seat mounted side air bag and/or a safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) system is being serviced, the air bag system must be deactivated.

NOTE: Restraint system diagnostic tools MUST be installed under the seats in the seat side air bag (if equipped) and safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) to floor connectors.

NOTE: Diagnostics or repairs are not to be performed on a seat equipped with a seat side air bag with the seat in the vehicle. Prior to attempting to diagnose or repair a seat concern when equipped with a seat side air bag, the seat must be removed from the vehicle and the restraint system diagnostic tools must be installed in the seat side air bag electrical connectors. The restraint system diagnostic tools must be removed prior to operating the vehicle over the road.

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

NOTE: After diagnosing or repairing a seat system, 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.

WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.

Please refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS article to determine location of the front air bag sensors.

The side air bag sensors are located at or near the base of the B-pillar.

To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).

Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute.
Remove the lower steering column opening finish panel.
1. Remove the screws and position the hood release handle out of the way.
2. Remove the screws from the lower steering column opening finish panel.
3. Pull out to release the retaining clips and remove the lower steering column opening finish panel.
  
  Fig 1: Removing Lower Steering Column Opening Finish Panel
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the five bolts and remove the lower steering column opening finish panel reinforcement.

Fig 2: Removing Lower Steering Column Opening Finish Panel Reinforcement
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the clockspring electrical connector at the base of the steering column.

Fig 3: Disconnecting Clockspring Electrical Connector At Base Of Steering Column
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Attach the restraint system diagnostic tool to the vehicle harness side of the clockspring electrical connector.

Fig 4: Attaching Restraint System Diagnostic Tool To Clockspring Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Open the glove compartment door to access the passenger air bag module electrical connector.

Fig 5: Opening Glove Compartment Door To Access Passenger Air Bag Module Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Release the tab and disconnect the passenger air bag module electrical connector.

Fig 6: Disconnecting Passenger Air Bag Module Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Attach the restraint system diagnostic tool to the vehicle harness side of the passenger air bag module electrical connector.

Fig 7: Attaching Restraint System Diagnostic Tool To Passenger Air Bag Module Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Connect the battery ground cable.
With the restraint system diagnostic tools installed at all deployable devices, prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .
Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute.