Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Deactivation and Reactivation: Deactivation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Ford RV Cutaway, 2003 Ford Econoline, 2003 Ford E550 Super Duty, 2003 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2003 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

ALL VEHICLES

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: Diagnostic 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 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. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
Pull to release the retaining clips and remove the steering column opening lower finish panel.

Fig 1: Releasing Retaining Clips And Removing Steering Column Opening Lower Finish Panel
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the steering column opening lower finish panel reinforcement.
1. Release the pin-type retainers and remove the electrical connector.
2. Remove the screws and the data link connector.
3. Remove the bolts.
4. Remove the steering column opening lower finish panel reinforcement.
Fig 2: Removing Steering Column Opening Lower 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
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 Vehicle Harness Side
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

VEHICLES WITH A PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE

Pull out to release the retaining clips and remove the RH lower instrument panel finish panel.

Fig 5: Releasing Retaining Clips And Removing RH Lower Instrument Panel Finish Panel
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the bolts. Remove the RH lower instrument panel finish panel reinforcement.

Fig 6: Removing RH Lower Instrument Panel Finish Panel Reinforcement
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the bolts. Remove the RH lower instrument panel finish panel reinforcement mounting bracket.

Fig 7: Locating RH Lower Instrument Panel Finish Panel Reinforcement Mounting Bracket Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Looking up, between the interior engine cover and the passenger air bag module, locate and disconnect the passenger air bag module electrical connector.

Fig 8: 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 9: Attaching Restraint System Diagnostic Tool To Vehicle Harness Side
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

ALL VEHICLES

Connect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
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. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .