Airbag Code After Doing Repair
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 100
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From: Alberta
Airbag Code After Doing Repair
Truck is a 97 Ranger, with drivers side airbag.
I just finished changing the radiator support and the steering box.
When I started it up after the repair, the airbag lamp on the instrument cluster flashed 4 times, then five. From searching the forum, I take this to mean airbag fault code 45.
I checked the connections to the airbag sensors on the front of the radiator support. They are plugged in nice and snugly. They were of course disconnected and put aside while the radiator support was being worked on but they seem good to go now. I reinstalled the sensors themselves with new screws, there is one sensor on either side of the radiator opening.
Any ideas as to what else I can check?? Is it possible that one of the sensors is bad? Can they be tested? One of them is fairly well cracked and weather aged but otherwise intact.
I just finished changing the radiator support and the steering box.
When I started it up after the repair, the airbag lamp on the instrument cluster flashed 4 times, then five. From searching the forum, I take this to mean airbag fault code 45.
I checked the connections to the airbag sensors on the front of the radiator support. They are plugged in nice and snugly. They were of course disconnected and put aside while the radiator support was being worked on but they seem good to go now. I reinstalled the sensors themselves with new screws, there is one sensor on either side of the radiator opening.
Any ideas as to what else I can check?? Is it possible that one of the sensors is bad? Can they be tested? One of them is fairly well cracked and weather aged but otherwise intact.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 966
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Try cleaning where the sensors are screwed on radiator support with some sandpaper. Use some dielectric grease (sold in small tube at auto parts store) on the connector where sensor plugs in. If the above doesn't fix it the weathered looking sensor could be the culprit. Did you try removing battery cable for awhile and reinstalling to see if it would clear code?
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Alberta
Thanks for the replies, I will do these things. I did leave the battery disconnected for a while (10 plus minutes).
So it is possible that there is an insufficient ground where the braket contacts the radiator support? I will clean these areas better, the brackets are pretty rusty.
There are two crash sensors, one on the left and one on the right. No center one at all.
This is frustrating the hell out of me, I need to get this truck back on the road and it needs to pass an inspection. Any ideas are appreciated - here are some pictures in case that might spark some ideas.
Before repair:
After repair:
So it is possible that there is an insufficient ground where the braket contacts the radiator support? I will clean these areas better, the brackets are pretty rusty.
There are two crash sensors, one on the left and one on the right. No center one at all.
This is frustrating the hell out of me, I need to get this truck back on the road and it needs to pass an inspection. Any ideas are appreciated - here are some pictures in case that might spark some ideas.
Before repair:
After repair:
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 966
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If you painted the areas where the sensors are you may want to sand both sensor area and metal where it mounts to truck. In the original looks like bolt had a washer which I don't see in replacement. You could add one on each side for better contact. If you have multimeter use the ohmmeter to check to see if have good ground. From looks of things I bet it's a ground issue.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Alberta
I ground all the paint away from the mounting points, cleaned the rust from the brackets where they touch the body of the truck, and added steel washers. Still the same thing, code 45. I tested with the fluke meter and it is a good ground. So that rules that out.
I am starting to think that there is something wrong with the sensor (s). Is there a way to bench check these?
And, can someone with the appropriate reference confirm exactly what code 45 is on a 97 Ranger? I have read 2 things, center crash sensor (which my truck doesn't have) and left side crash sensor mounted incorrectly.
I am starting to think that there is something wrong with the sensor (s). Is there a way to bench check these?
And, can someone with the appropriate reference confirm exactly what code 45 is on a 97 Ranger? I have read 2 things, center crash sensor (which my truck doesn't have) and left side crash sensor mounted incorrectly.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 966
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According to link it states the code means sensor is mounted incorrectly. Did you try the dielectric grease on contacts at each wire harness connector?
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_there_a...ht_error_codes
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_there_a...ht_error_codes
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,760
Likes: 1,079
From: St Louis
Hmmm, looks like I clicked on the Aerostar LFC list instead of the Ranger list... LFC 45 for the Ranger is the LH (Driver's side) sensor. My bad on that one.
Your fault code indicates the ABDM is seeing excessive resistance in the ground circuit to the LH sensor. That could be due to a poor connection due to corrosion, a loose connection, or an internally corroded sensor. From the photos, I'd say corrosion is the root cause.
Disconnect the battery negative cable when working on the system.
Disconnect LH sensor. Check resistance to vehicle ground from the sensor's P/LB wire. Should be less than 3 ohms. If not, check the resistance between the the P/LB wire and the sensor's mount. If more than 3 ohms, replace the sensor due to internal corrosion.
There's more, but that's the condensed version for checking just the sensor and its mount.
Your fault code indicates the ABDM is seeing excessive resistance in the ground circuit to the LH sensor. That could be due to a poor connection due to corrosion, a loose connection, or an internally corroded sensor. From the photos, I'd say corrosion is the root cause.
Disconnect the battery negative cable when working on the system.
Disconnect LH sensor. Check resistance to vehicle ground from the sensor's P/LB wire. Should be less than 3 ohms. If not, check the resistance between the the P/LB wire and the sensor's mount. If more than 3 ohms, replace the sensor due to internal corrosion.
There's more, but that's the condensed version for checking just the sensor and its mount.
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Alberta
To 03 Maz B23 - I picked up some dielectric grease and used it on the connections, no change.
ProjectSHO89, I checked with the ohm meter as you indicated, and the resistance is 1 ohm.
I am starting to think that something may be wrong with the sensor itself?
ProjectSHO89, I checked with the ohm meter as you indicated, and the resistance is 1 ohm.
I am starting to think that something may be wrong with the sensor itself?
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 966
Likes: 1
Sorry you aren't having any luck so far. Might try inspecting the wiring going up to where it enters sensor for any breaks in insulation where it might be shorting out. Concentrate on LH since code seems to suggest it. I also saw this post dealing with another code but it makes me wonder if the issue isn't a defective part but the need to perform a procedure to clear the code from the system. Especially if the car battery was connected while you did your work and the sensors were unplugged . Unfortunately unsure of procedure to clear code. A post for a 95 Villager referred to shorting out a diagnostic connector by airbag module. You would need to research the particular procedure for the Ranger and perform it. Some libraries have online access to auto repair data (Alldata and Mitchells on Demand) that might give the procedure. Check at Reference Dept of library. Don't want to see you spend money for a replacement part and have same issue.
http://www.therangerstation.com/foru...php/t-810.html
http://www.therangerstation.com/foru...php/t-810.html
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,760
Likes: 1,079
From: St Louis
Next step is to check the circuit resistance as seen by the ABDM.
Negative battery cable still disconnected. Reconnect sensor to vehicle wiring harness.
Here is the description from the WSM:
Normal Operation
The air bag diagnostic monitor measures the resistance between Pin C2-20, Circuit 620 (P/LB) and the reference ground at Pin C1-18, Circuit 570 (BK/W). If the air bag diagnostic monitor measures a difference of more than 3.0 ohms between the ground at Pin C1-18, Circuit 570 (BK/W) and the ground at Pin C2-20, Circuit 620 (P/LB), the air bag diagnostic monitor will store in memory and flash lamp fault code 45 on the AIR BAG indicator. Should the difference in resistance between Pin C1-18 and C2-20, Circuit 620 (P/LB) be serviced or otherwise reduced to less than 3.0 ohms, the air bag diagnostic monitor will store DTC B1945 in memory.
NOTE: Circuit 620 (P/LB) is riveted to the side of the LH primary crash sensor case and the case of the sensor is grounded to the vehicle at its mounting point.
Possible Causes
A high resistance reading on Pin C2-20, Circuit 620 (P/LB) to ground can be caused by:
A poor attachment of LH primary crash front air bag sensor and bracket (14B005) due to loose mounting, dirt, or corrosion at its mounting location.
An open or damaged wire in Circuit 620 (P/LB).
An open wire or loose rivet inside LH primary crash front air bag sensor and bracket.
A poor reference ground at Pins C2-10 and C1-18 of the air bag diagnostic monitor in Circuit 570 (BK/W).
The air bag diagnostic monitor measures the resistance between Pin C2-20, Circuit 620 (P/LB) and the reference ground at Pin C1-18, Circuit 570 (BK/W). If the air bag diagnostic monitor measures a difference of more than 3.0 ohms between the ground at Pin C1-18, Circuit 570 (BK/W) and the ground at Pin C2-20, Circuit 620 (P/LB), the air bag diagnostic monitor will store in memory and flash lamp fault code 45 on the AIR BAG indicator. Should the difference in resistance between Pin C1-18 and C2-20, Circuit 620 (P/LB) be serviced or otherwise reduced to less than 3.0 ohms, the air bag diagnostic monitor will store DTC B1945 in memory.
NOTE: Circuit 620 (P/LB) is riveted to the side of the LH primary crash sensor case and the case of the sensor is grounded to the vehicle at its mounting point.
Possible Causes
A high resistance reading on Pin C2-20, Circuit 620 (P/LB) to ground can be caused by:
A poor attachment of LH primary crash front air bag sensor and bracket (14B005) due to loose mounting, dirt, or corrosion at its mounting location.
An open or damaged wire in Circuit 620 (P/LB).
An open wire or loose rivet inside LH primary crash front air bag sensor and bracket.
A poor reference ground at Pins C2-10 and C1-18 of the air bag diagnostic monitor in Circuit 570 (BK/W).
Once the original fault has been cleared, the ADBM will NOT automatically clear the fault code. You have only two choices: Use a scanner capable of accessing the airbag system (the Snap-On Solus is an example of one such) to reset the DTC or waiting until 256 key-on cycles have accumulated without any further airbag system fault. There is no provision listed in the factory service manual for this particular system for shorting a connector to reset it.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 966
Likes: 1
It probably won't help you but on my 03 I noticed there is a ground from battery to frame which is on the back of the same radiator mounting area you were working on. Might want to check for a good connection there as well.