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Home >> Ford >> 2002 >> Taurus SES, 3.0 S >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 219 (Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System) >> Diagnostic Tests >> Test J: Restraint System-Impact Sensor Status (DTC B2296) >> Possible Causes

Possible Causes

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

A front or side impact sensor status fault could be caused by faulty wiring, terminals or connectors, faulty impact sensor, incorrect impact sensor mounting or faulty RCM.

  1. 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 RUN position. Retrieve, flag and record any continuous Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). See RETRIEVING FAULT CODES  under DIAGNOSTICS. Retrieve and record any flagged faults. Perform on-demand self-test. See ON-DEMAND SELF-TEST  under DIAGNOSTICS. Flag DTC B2296. See BIT-MAPPED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES  under DIAGNOSTICS. Retrieve and record any flagged faults. If DTC B2296 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is hard. If flagged fault of "?" was recorded, multiple faults exist and entire test must be carried out before replacing RCM.
    • For left side air bag crash sensor with mounting/communications (COMM) fault, go to next step.
    • For left side air bag crash sensor with internal (INT) fault, replace left side air bag sensor. See SIDE CRASH SENSOR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Go to step  34 .
    • For right side air bag crash sensor with mounting/communications (COMM) fault, go to step  12 .
    • For right side air bag crash sensor with internal (INT) fault, replace right side air bag sensor and go to step  34 .
    • For front crash sensor with mounting/communication (COMM) fault, go to step  22 .

      For front crash sensor with internal (INT) fault, replace front crash sensor. See FRONT CRASH SENSOR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Go to step  34 .

    If DTC B2296 was not retrieved, fault is intermittent. Go to step  33 .

  2. Check left side air bag crash sensor mounting

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM  under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Ensure left front seat is removed. Access left side air bag crash sensor. See SIDE CRASH SENSOR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Inspect sensor mounting and ensure mounting bolts are fully seated and tightened correctly. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS  . Remove left side air bag crash sensor. Visually inspect sensor mounting bracket for damage, corrosion or dirt. If any problems were found, clean tighten or repair mounting surface as necessary. Reinstall sensor and go to step  34 . If no problems were found, go to next step.

  3. Repeat on-demand self-test

    Clean and repair mounting surface as necessary. Clean sensor mounting bolts. Install left side air bag crash sensor. Perform on-demand self-test. Flag DTC B2296. Retrieve and record any flagged faults. If DTC B2296 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, go to next step. If DTC B2296 was not retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is corrected. Go to step  34 .

  4. Check left side air bag crash sensor ground circuit for high resistance

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disconnect left side air bag crash sensor harness connector. Measure resistance in Brown/Light Green wire (circuit No. 1262) between left side air bag crash sensor case ground and harness side of left side air bag crash sensor connector. See WIRING DIAGRAMS  . If resistance is less than 100 ohms, go to step  6 . If resistance is more than 100 ohms, go to next step.

  5. Clean left side air bag crash sensor mounting & repeat on-demand self-test

    Remove left side air bag crash sensor. Clean and repair mounting surface as necessary. Clean sensor mounting bolts. Install left side air bag crash sensor. Perform on-demand self-test. Flag DTC B2296. Retrieve and record any flagged faults. If DTC B2296 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, go to next step. If DTC B2296 was not retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is corrected. Go to step  34 .

  6. Check left side air bag crash sensor circuits for short to ground between RCM & sensor

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Access RCM and disconnect both RCM harness connectors. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Measure resistance in White/Light Green wire, circuit No. 1261) between ground and harness side of left side air bag crash sensor connector. Measure resistance in Brown/Light Green wire (circuit No. 1262) between ground and harness side of left side air bag crash sensor connector. If resistance is more than one megohm in both circuits, go to next step. If resistance is less than one megohm in either circuit, repair short to ground in appropriate wire. See WIRING DIAGRAMS  . Go to step  34 .

  7. Check left side air bag crash sensor circuits for short to battery between RCM & sensor

    Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Measure voltage in White/Light Green wire between ground and harness side of left side air bag crash sensor connector. Measure voltage in Brown/Light Green wire between ground and harness side of left side air bag crash sensor connector. If voltage is less than 0.2 volt in both circuits, go to next step. If voltage is more than 0.2 volt in either circuit, repair short to battery in appropriate wire. Go to step  34 .

  8. Check left side air bag crash sensor circuit for open between RCM & sensor

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Measure resistance in White/Light Green wire between harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 27 and harness side of left side air bag crash sensor harness connector. See Figure . If resistance is less than 0.5 ohm, go to next step. If resistance is more than 0.5 ohm, repair open in White/Light Green wire. Go to step  34 .

  9. Check left side air bag crash sensor circuit for open between RCM & sensor

    Measure resistance in Brown/Light Green wire between harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 28 and harness side of left side air bag crash sensor harness connector. 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 Green wire. Go to step  34 .

  10. Check for short between left side air bag crash sensor circuits

    Measure resistance between RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 13 (White/Light Green wire) and Brown/Light Green wire on harness side of left side air bag crash sensor connector. If resistance is more than one megohm, go to next step. If resistance is less than one megohm, repair short between White/Light Green and Brown/Light Green wires. Go to step  34 .

  11. Check left side air bag crash sensor

    Ensure ignition switch is in OFF position. Reconnect RCM connectors. Install a known-good left side air bag crash sensor. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Perform on-demand self-test. Flag DTC B2296. Retrieve and record any flagged faults. If any faults were flagged against left side air bag crash sensor, install original left side air bag crash sensor and go to step  32 . If no faults were flagged against left side air bag crash sensor, fault is corrected. Go to step  34 .

  12. Check right side air bag crash sensor mounting

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM  under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Ensure right front seat is removed. Access right side air bag crash sensor. See SIDE CRASH SENSOR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Inspect sensor mounting and ensure mounting bolts are fully seated and tightened correctly. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS  . Remove right side air bag crash sensor. Visually inspect sensor mounting bracket for damage, corrosion or dirt. If any problems were found, clean tighten or repair mounting surface as necessary. Reinstall sensor and go to step  34 . If no problems were found, go to next step.

  13. Repeat on-demand self-test

    Clean and repair mounting surface as necessary. Clean sensor mounting bolts. Install right side air bag crash sensor. Perform on-demand self-test. Flag DTC B2296. Retrieve and record any flagged faults. If DTC B2296 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, go to next step. If DTC B2296 was not retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is corrected. Go to step  34 .

  14. Check right side air bag crash sensor ground circuit for high resistance

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disconnect right side air bag crash sensor harness connector. Measure resistance in Brown wire (circuit No. 1264) between right side air bag crash sensor case ground and harness side of right side air bag crash sensor connector. If resistance is less than 100 ohms, go to step  16 . If resistance is more than 100 ohms, go to next step.

  15. Clean right side air bag crash sensor mounting & repeat on-demand self-test

    Remove right side air bag crash sensor. Clean and repair mounting surface as necessary. Clean sensor mounting bolts. Install right side air bag crash sensor. Perform on-demand self-test. Flag DTC B2296. Retrieve and record any flagged faults. If DTC B2296 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, go to next step. If DTC B2296 was not retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is corrected. Go to step  34 .

  16. Check right side air bag crash sensor circuits for short to ground between RCM & sensor

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Access RCM and disconnect both RCM harness connectors. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Measure resistance in White wire (circuit No. 1263) between ground and harness side of right side air bag crash sensor connector. Measure resistance in Brown wire (circuit No. 1264) between ground and harness side of right side air bag crash sensor connector. If resistance is more than one megohm in both circuits, go to next step. If resistance is less than one megohm in either circuit, repair short to ground in appropriate wire. See WIRING DIAGRAMS  . Go to step  34 .

  17. Check right side air bag crash sensor circuits for short to battery between RCM & sensor

    Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Measure voltage in White wire between ground and harness side of right side air bag crash sensor connector. Measure voltage in Brown wire between ground and harness side of right side air bag crash sensor connector. If voltage is less than 0.2 volt in both circuits, go to next step. If voltage is more than 0.2 volt in either circuit, repair short to battery in appropriate wire. Go to step  34 .

  18. Check right side air bag crash sensor circuit for open between RCM & sensor

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Measure resistance in White wire between harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 29 and harness side of right side air bag crash sensor harness connector. See Figure . If resistance is less than 0.5 ohm, go to next step. If resistance is more than 0.5 ohm, repair open in White wire. Go to step  34 .

  19. Check right side air bag crash sensor circuit for open between RCM & sensor

    Measure resistance in Brown wire between harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 30 and harness side of right side air bag crash sensor harness connector. If resistance is less than 0.5 ohm, go to next step. If resistance is more than 0.5 ohm, repair open in Brown wire. Go to step  34 .

  20. Check for short between right side air bag crash sensor circuits

    Measure resistance between harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 29 (White wire) and Brown wire on harness side of right side air bag crash sensor connector. If resistance is more than one megohm, go to next step. If resistance is less than one megohm, repair short between White and Brown wires. Go to step  34 .

  21. Check right side air bag crash sensor

    Ensure ignition switch is in OFF position. Reconnect RCM connectors. Install a known-good right side air bag crash sensor. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Perform on-demand self-test. Flag DTC B2296. Retrieve and record any flagged faults. If any faults were flagged against right side air bag crash sensor, install original right side air bag crash sensor and go to step  32 . If no faults were flagged against right side air bag crash sensor, fault is corrected. Go to step  34 .

  22. Check front crash sensor mounting

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM  under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Access front crash sensor. See FRONT CRASH SENSOR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Inspect sensor mounting and ensure mounting bolts are fully seated and tightened correctly. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS  . Remove front crash sensor. Visually inspect sensor mounting bracket for damage, corrosion or dirt. If any problems were found, clean tighten or repair mounting surface as necessary. Reinstall sensor and go to step  34 . If no problems were found, go to next step.

  23. Repeat on-demand self-test

    Clean and repair mounting surface as necessary. Clean sensor mounting bolts. Install front crash sensor. Perform on-demand self-test. Flag DTC B2296. Retrieve and record any flagged faults. If DTC B2296 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, go to next step. If DTC B2296 was not retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is corrected. Go to step  34 .

  24. Check front crash sensor ground circuit for high resistance

    Ensure ignition switch is in OFF position. Disconnect front crash sensor harness connector. Measure resistance in Violet/Light Green wire (circuit No. 618) between front crash sensor case ground and harness side of front crash sensor connector. If resistance is less than 100 ohms, go to step  26 . If resistance is more than 100 ohms, go to next step.

  25. Clean front crash sensor mounting & repeat on-demand self-test

    Remove front crash sensor. Clean and repair mounting surface as necessary. Clean sensor mounting bolts. Install front crash sensor. Perform on-demand self-test. Flag DTC B2296. Retrieve and record any flagged faults. If DTC B2296 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, go to next step. If DTC B2296 was not retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is corrected. Go to step  34 .

  26. Check front crash sensor circuits for short to ground between RCM & sensor

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Access RCM and disconnect both RCM harness connectors. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Measure resistance in Pink/Orange wire (circuit No. 617) between ground and harness side of front crash sensor connector. Measure resistance in Violet/Light Green wire (circuit No. 618) between ground and harness side of front crash sensor connector. If resistance is more than one megohm in both circuits, go to next step. If resistance is less than one megohm in either circuit, repair short to ground in appropriate wire. See WIRING DIAGRAMS  . Go to step  34 .

  27. Check front crash sensor circuits for short to battery between RCM & sensor

    Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Measure voltage in Pink/Orange wire between ground and harness side of front crash sensor connector. Measure voltage in Violet/Light Green wire between ground and harness side of front crash sensor connector. If voltage is less than 0.2 volt in both circuits, go to next step. If voltage is more than 0.2 volt in either circuit, repair short to battery in appropriate wire. Go to step  34 .

  28. Check front crash sensor circuit for open between RCM & sensor

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Measure resistance in Pink/Orange wire between harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 19 and harness side of front crash sensor connector. See Figure . If resistance is less than 0.5 ohm, go to next step. If resistance is more than 0.5 ohm, repair open in Pink/Orange wire. Go to step  34 .

  29. Check front crash sensor circuit for open between RCM & sensor

    Measure resistance in Violet/Light Green wire between harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 20 and harness side of front crash sensor harness connector. If resistance is less than 0.5 ohm, go to next step. If resistance is more than 0.5 ohm, repair open in Violet/Light Green wire. Go to step  34 .

  30. Check for short between front crash sensor circuits

    Measure resistance between harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 19 (Pink/Orange wire) and Violet/Light Green wire on harness side of front crash sensor connector. If resistance is more than one megohm, go to next step. If resistance is less than one megohm, repair short between Pink/Orange and Violet/Light Green wires. Go to step  34 .

  31. Check front crash sensor

    Reconnect RCM connectors. Install a known-good front crash sensor. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Perform on-demand self-test. Flag DTC B2296. Retrieve and record any flagged faults. If any faults were flagged against front crash sensor, install original front crash sensor and go to next step. If no faults were flagged against front crash sensor, fault is corrected. Go to step  34 .
    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.

  32. Confirm RCM fault

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Reconnect all impact sensor and RCM connectors. Perform on-demand self-test. Flag DTC B2296. Retrieve and record any flagged faults. If DTC B2296 was retrieved during on-demand self-test and "?" was flagged by scan tool, carry out entire test before replacing RCM. Replace RCM. Go to step  34 . If DTC B2296 was not retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is corrected. Go to step  34 .

  33. Check for intermittent fault

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM  under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Perform on-demand self-test. Flag DTC 2296. If DTC B2296 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, retrieve and record any flagged faults. Use flagged faults to find appropriate test step. If flagged fault "?" was recorded, multiple faults exist and entire test must be carried out before replacing RCM.
    • For left side air bag crash sensor with mounting/communications (COMM) fault, go to step  2 .
    • For left side air bag crash sensor with internal (INT) fault, replace left side air bag sensor. See SIDE CRASH SENSOR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Go to step  34 .
    • For right side air bag crash sensor with mounting/communications (COMM) fault, go to step  12 .
    • For right side air bag crash sensor with internal (INT) fault, replace right side air bag sensor and go to step  34 .
    • For front crash sensor with mounting/communication (COMM) fault, go to step  22 .

      For front crash sensor with internal (INT) fault, replace front crash sensor. See FRONT CRASH SENSOR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Go to step  34 .

    If DTC B2296 was not retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is intermittent. Attempt to recreate fault by flexing wire harness and cycling ignition switch frequently. Repair any intermittent problems found. Go to next step.

  34. 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.
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