Air bag simulator for trouble shooting

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04-20-2012, 04:00 PM

Stavid

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Air bag simulator for trouble shooting

1996 4.0 EXT, 2wd----!!!!!!!!! Before I post, let me say I DON”T RECOMMEND measuring the air bag resistance with a voltmeter. It sends a small current thru whatever it is measuring. I was never able to confirm that it would not fire-off the air bag!!!!!!!!! Would easily hurt someone. That said, I got a 41 air bag code a while back. Got some help from the forum and did enough internet research to determine that the air bag is measured as 1 ohm resistance by the control module. I made a simulator out of a 1 ohm resistor, installed it, drove around for a while. The code light cleared, with the simulator installed. So I was able to rule out the clockspring. I made sure I turned the st/wheel from full left stop to full right stop to make sure it wasn't an intermittant clockspring problem. With this 'simulator” installed I could also check voltages at the controller box, with the key on. All checked close to the proper settings. I guess I had a bad connection. I re-installed the air bag and so far no problem, code is still cleared. Posted in case anyone wants to try it for troubleshooting the system. My model van has a 1 ohm air bag resistance, but I also ran across some electrical schematics that showed 2 ohms for other models. No soldering required for the “simulator”, I used crimp connectors. You will need to measure the male pin diameter off the air bag so you get a good fit in the clockspring female socket. Mine was about .058 I believe. Industrial electronics store has them about the same size. Whole thing was around $5-$10. I bought a ~$4 precision resistor. Probably could have used a 2w, 5% tolerance resistor for 95 cents, and it still would have worked. I measured the resistance of the simulator after putting it together and it was 1.2 ohms, so the crimping vs soldering didn't add significant resistance to the set-up. I would post pics but I can't copy them directly to the posting. Very simple to make and use.

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