Pinpoint Test Z: DTC B2986 - Deployable Steering Column Circuit Short To Ground

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis and 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Most faults are due to connector and/or wiring concerns. Carry out a thorough Inspection and Verification before proceeding with the Pinpoint Test.

Z1 CHECK FOR ON-DEMAND AND CONTINUOUS DTCs
WARNING: Restraint system diagnostic tools are for service only. Tools must be removed prior to operating the vehicle over the road. Failure to remove restraint system diagnostic tools could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.

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 pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device. Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag equipped vehicle and when handling a safety belt buckle pretensioner or safety belt retractor pretensioner. Never probe a pretensioner electrical connector. Doing so could result in pretensioner or air bag deployment and could result in personal injury.

NOTE: After diagnosing or repairing an SRS, 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.
- Enter the following diagnostic mode on the scan tool: On-Demand Self Test.
- Enter the following diagnostic mode on the scan tool: Retrieve/Record Continuous DTCs.
- Was DTC B2986 retrieved during the on-demand self test?
Yes : This is a hard fault. The fault condition is still present. This fault cannot be cleared until it is corrected and the DTC is no longer retrieved during the on-demand self test. GO to Z2.

No : This is an intermittent fault. The fault condition is not present at this time. GO to Z5.
Z2 CHECK THE DEPLOYABLE STEERING COLUMN
- Key in OFF position.
- Depower the system. Refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEPOWERING AND REPOWERING .
- Disconnect: Deployable Steering Column C2318.
- Connect: Restraint System Diagnostic Tool 418-F395 to the Deployable Steering Column C2318.
- Repower the system. Do not prove out the system at this time. Refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEPOWERING AND REPOWERING .
- Enter the following diagnostic mode on the scan tool: On-Demand Self Test.
- Was DTC B2986 retrieved during the on-demand self test?
Yes : GO to Z3.

No : REPAIR circuit 2136 (OG) or circuit 2137 (RD/LB). GO to Z6.
Z3 CHECK CIRCUIT 2136 (OG) AND CIRCUIT 2137 (RD/LB) FOR A SHORT TO GROUND
- Key in OFF position.
- Depower the system. Refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEPOWERING AND REPOWERING .
- Disconnect: Deployable Steering Column Restraints System Diagnostic Tool.
- Disconnect: RCM C310a and C310b.
- Measure the resistance between deployable steering column 2318-A, circuit 2136 (OG), harness side and ground; and between deployable steering column C2318-B, circuit 2137 (RD/LB), harness side and ground.
  
  Fig 1: Measuring Resistance Between Deployable Steering Column 2318-A, Circuit 2136 And Ground; And Between Deployable Steering Column C2318-B, Circuit 2137 And Ground
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Are the resistances greater than 10,000 ohms?
Yes : GO to Z4.

No : REPAIR circuit 2136 (OG) or 2137 (RD/LB). GO to Z6.
Z4 CONFIRM THE RCM FAULT
NOTE: Make sure all restraint system diagnostic tools, sensor electrical connectors and the RCM electrical connectors are connected before carrying out the on-demand self test. If not, erroneous DTCs will be recorded.
- Key in OFF position.
- Depower the system. Refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEPOWERING AND REPOWERING .
- Connect: Restraint System Diagnostic Tool 418-F395 to Deployable Steering Column C2318.
- Connect: RCM C310a and C310b.
- Repower the system. Do not prove out the system at this time. Refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEPOWERING AND REPOWERING .
- Enter the following diagnostic mode on the scan tool: On-Demand Self Test.
- Was DTC B2986 retrieved during the on-demand self test?
Yes : INSTALL a new RCM . REFER to RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM) . GO to Z6.

No : CHECK for causes of the intermittent fault. ATTEMPT to recreate the hard fault by flexing the wire harness and cycling the ignition key frequently. ACTIVATE other systems in the same wire harness. REPAIR any intermittent concerns found. GO to Z6.
Z5 CHECK FOR AN INTERMITTENT FAULT
- Key in OFF position.
- Depower the system. Refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEPOWERING AND REPOWERING .
- Disconnect: Deployable Steering Column C2318.
- Connect: Restraint System Diagnostic Tool 418-F395 to the Deployable Steering Column C2318.
- Enter the following diagnostic mode on the scan tool: On-Demand Self Test.
- Was DTC B2986 retrieved during the on-demand self test?
Yes : This is a hard fault. The fault condition is now present. This fault cannot be cleared until it is corrected and the DTC is no longer retrieved during the on-demand self test. GO to Z3.

No : CHECK for causes of the intermittent fault. ATTEMPT to recreate the hard fault by flexing the wire harness and cycling the ignition key frequently. ACTIVATE other systems in the same wire harness. REPAIR any intermittent concerns found. GO to Z6.
Z6 CHECK FOR ADDITIONAL DTCs
- Refer to the continuous DTCs recorded during Step Z1.
- Were any continuous DTCs retrieved during Step Z1 ?
Yes : Do not clear any DTCs until all DTCs have been resolved. GO to the RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM) DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) PRIORITY TABLE in this article for pinpoint test direction.

No : RECONNECT the system. If previously directed to deactivate the system, REACTIVATE the system. REFER to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEACTIVATION AND REACTIVATION . REPOWER the system. REFER to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEPOWERING AND REPOWERING . PROVE OUT the system. CLEAR all DTCs.