Possible Causes
An AIR BAG warning light that is continuously illuminated may be caused by disconnected Restraints Control Module (RCM), damaged battery or ignition circuit, loss of ground circuit to RCM, inoperative RCM, faulty shorting bar or camming beam in connector, or damaged NGS tester.
- Check for hard or intermittent DTC
Ensure ignition is off. Connect NGS tester to DLC. See USING NGS TESTER under DIAGNOSTICS. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Retrieve and record any continuous DTCs. See RETRIEVING FAULT CODES under DIAGNOSTICS. Perform on-demand self-test. See ON-DEMAND SELF-TEST . If continuous DTCs were retrieved, go to step 3 . If on-demand DTCs were retrieved, go to diagnostic trouble code identification table for direction to appropriate test. See DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) IDENTIFICATION table. If no DTCs were retrieved, go to next step. - Check RCM connection
Turn ignition off. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM . Access Restraints Control Module (RCM). See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Ensure RCM connector is fully connected and Red locking tab is engaged. If RCM connector is fully connected and Red locking tab is engaged, go to next step. If RCM connector is not fully connected and/or Red locking tab is not engaged, reconnect connector and engage locking tab. Go to step 6 .NOTE: Shorting bars may be accessed by prying out Blue cover from harness side of connector. - Check RCM connector
Turn ignition off. Access Restraints Control Module (RCM) and disconnect connector. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Inspect RCM, component side of connector, for worn or damaged camming beam and/or any foreign material. See Fig 1 . Inspect RCM connector for worn, damaged or dislodged shorting bar at terminals No. 20 and No. 21. See Figure & Fig 1 . If camming beams and shorting bars are okay, go to next step. If camming beams and shorting bars are defective, repair or replace as necessary and go to step 6 . - Check RCM ignition circuit connection
Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Measure voltage between sheet metal ground near RCM and RCM harness connector terminal No. 2 (Green/Orange wire). See Figure . If voltage is 9-16 volts, go to next step. If voltage is not 9-16 volts, repair open in Green/Orange wire. Also, check fuse No. F38 (7.5-amp) located in instrument panel fuse block. See WIRING DIAGRAMS . Go to step 6 . - Check ground circuit for open
Turn ignition off. Measure resistance between sheet metal ground near RCM and RCM harness connector terminal No. 21 (Black/Red wire). If resistance is less than 10 ohms, diagnose module communication system. Go to TEST R: NO COMMUNICATION WITH RCM . If resistance is more than 10 ohms, repair open in Black/Red wire and 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 (DTC) IDENTIFICATION table. If no continuous DTCs were retrieved, reconnect air bag system. Activate air bag system. See ACTIVATING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Prove out system. Clear all DTCs. See CLEARING FAULT CODES under DIAGNOSTICS.