Air Bag, disabling
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 89
From: MD
I guess that air bag gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling when you drive.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,829
Likes: 363
From: Candy Mountain
I have a 94 with air bag and I do not find it concerning. I have had to replace a few components in the system over the years, but it has never been a big deal. Yes, the air bag can hurt you, even when deploying as it is supposed to, but it is very unlikely to go off by accident and will only deploy in a collision under the right circumstances. It will not deploy if the self diagnostic has tripped. The only time you are probably, statistically risking an unintentional deployment is when you are messing with the electrical contacts.
That said it is your truck and your peace of mind.
If it is malfunctioning:
A - I would fix what ever is wrong with it and drive on or...
B - replace the whole steering wheel with one from a non air bag truck including 92/93 F-150 or 92/97 F-250 or larger. or go aftermarket.
That said it is your truck and your peace of mind.
If it is malfunctioning:
A - I would fix what ever is wrong with it and drive on or...
B - replace the whole steering wheel with one from a non air bag truck including 92/93 F-150 or 92/97 F-250 or larger. or go aftermarket.
Last edited by R&RFord; Mar 22, 2019 at 02:04 PM. Reason: Clarity
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 232
Likes: 1
I have no idea what you are trying to say.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 89
From: MD
Of course you don't.
R&RFord,I don't find airbags concerning either. My issue is with not having a choice about buying a vehicle with or without one. Just like I don't like being told I have to wear a seat belt. It should my choice.
R&RFord,I don't find airbags concerning either. My issue is with not having a choice about buying a vehicle with or without one. Just like I don't like being told I have to wear a seat belt. It should my choice.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 232
Likes: 1
It is not that black and white as you want it to be. I'll leave it at that. This is not a discussion for a forum about old trucks.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
Seatbelts aren't just for your safety, although they do MASSIVELY increase your odds of survival if you get into an accident. You can always buy an older car/truck that didn't come with airbags (or seat belts for that matter) and you won't have to worry about it. The laws regarding removing/disabling airbags are to protect people from unscrupulous sellers that might replace a detonated airbag with packing peanuts. I personally don't have a problem with someone that wants to disable their airbags, I just won't help them rationalize doing so because of their misguided notion that having an airbag is more dangerous than not having one. Reminds me of the anti-vaxxers I see on Facebook trying to conflate MMR to Autism, or that say they got the flu after a flu shot.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,829
Likes: 363
From: Candy Mountain
As we continue to keep these trucks on the road further and further beyond their expected life span the more likely it is we will see unusual/unexpected problems. Leaking capacitors come to mind... Our trucks have a fair amount of integrated electronic equipment not present in previous generations that are likely to start biting enthusiasts in the butt as the years march on.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 13
From: west plains spokane,wa
Might be an issue on newer stuff, not sure about this age of truck. Kind of like cat converters , some of the local shops don't worry about them on this age of truck.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 89
From: MD
You started it,not me.
Now I don't know what YOU are trying to say.
Now I don't know what YOU are trying to say.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
I get that, and if at a certain point something can't be repaired or replaced and it is malfunctioning it should be legal to remove or otherwise render safe, especially if it is a potential hazard, like an air bag.
As we continue to keep these trucks on the road further and further beyond their expected life span the more likely it is we will see unusual/unexpected problems. Leaking capacitors come to mind... Our trucks have a fair amount of integrated electronic equipment not present in previous generations that are likely to start biting enthusiasts in the butt as the years march on.
As we continue to keep these trucks on the road further and further beyond their expected life span the more likely it is we will see unusual/unexpected problems. Leaking capacitors come to mind... Our trucks have a fair amount of integrated electronic equipment not present in previous generations that are likely to start biting enthusiasts in the butt as the years march on.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
Keep your body secure, so you don't eject in a crash. As a former 1st responder... it was very time consuming when people were ejected (finding them, treating them). So even if you don't give a shoot about yourself, do your local EMS a favor and buckle up! 
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,811
Likes: 2,431
Replacing the steering wheel with 92-93 sounds like a viable option -- hadn't thought of that. I'll look into finding one. The chime is signaling five chimes five times (I have stuffed cotton down the throat of the chime --Ha). It is probably only in my mind: but "probably" is not good enough for me,i.e., an explosive that close to my face. One is too many to be hurt by an air bag -- probably more people being hurt by air bags than admitted or reported. Just my thoughts/opinion.
Testing, Wiring Diagram, Operation & Troubleshooting for 94-96;
"The air bag diagnostic monitor (14B056) continually monitors all supplemental air bag restraint system components and wiring connections for possible faults in the system. If the air bag diagnostic monitor detects a fault in the supplemental air bag restraint system when the key is in RUN, a diagnostic trouble code will be displayed on the air bag indicator, located in the instrument cluster (10849).
Performing system diagnostics is the main purpose of the air bag diagnostic monitor. Note: The air bag diagnostic monitor does not deploy the air bag in the event of a crash. The LH and RH primary crash sensors are hard wired to the air bag; therefore, the LH and RH primary crash sensors and RH safing sensor and bracket sensor (also called the Rear Air Bag Sensor) determine when to deploy the air bag. Features and functions of the air bag diagnostic monitor are described below. *
The air bag diagnostic monitor illuminates the air bag indicator for approximately six seconds when the key is in RUN and then turns the indicator off. This shows that the air bag indicator is operational. If the air bag indicator does not illuminate or the indicator stays on or flashes at any time, a fault has been detected by the air bag diagnostic monitor. * Diagnostic trouble codes may not be displayed for approximately 30 seconds after the key is placed in RUN. This is the amount of time the air bag diagnostic monitor requires to perform all tests and verify system faults, if present.
* Each diagnostic trouble code (a series of flashes and pauses of the air bag indicator) represents a two-digit number. Each diagnostic trouble code is always displayed at least twice. For example, a diagnostic trouble code 32 is displayed as three flashes, followed by a one-second pause, then two flashes, followed by a three-second pause. * If a system fault is present and the air bag indicator is malfunctioning, an audible tone will be heard, indicating that system service is required. The tone is a series of five sets of five beeps. This does not indicate adiagnostic trouble code 55. If the tone is heard, the airbag indicator is inoperative and a system fault thatrequires service is present.
CAUTION: The thermal fuse does not blow (open) because of excessive current flowing through it. DO NOT attempt to jumper out the thermal fuse with a circuit breaker or any other type of fuse. * If a fault exists that makes unwanted air bag deployment possible, the air bag diagnostic monitor has an internal thermal fuse that will blow (open) automatically. This removes all power to the air bag deployment circuit.
* The air bag indicator will flash the appropriate diagnostic trouble code to indicate the suspect circuit. If the indicator is malfunctioning the tone will be heard.
* Diagnostic trouble codes are prioritized numerically so if two or more different faults occur at the same time, the fault having the highest priority will be displayed first. After that fault has been corrected, the next highest priority fault will be displayed. * The air bag diagnostic monitor includes an internal backup power supply. This feature provides sufficient backup power to deploy the air bag in the event the battery or battery cables are damaged in an accident before safing and primary crash sensors close. The backup power supply will deplete its stored energy approximately one minute after the positive battery cable is disconnected.
Airbag DIagnostic Monitor (ADM) Light Flash Code (LFC) Priority Table Tone (5 Beeps Repeated 4 Times): Air Bag Indicator Open Circuit with Stored Fault Code(s)
No Air Bag Indicator (Dash Light Out): Inoperative Indicator Circuit or No Battery Voltage to ADM
Continuous Air Bag Indicator: ADM Disconnected or Inoperative
12: Low Battery Voltage
13: Air Bag Circuit Shorted to Ground
14: Front Air Bag Sensor and Bracket Circuit Shorted to Ground
21: Rear Air Bag Sensor and Bracket Not Mounted to Vehicle Properly
22: Rear Air Bag Sensor and Bracket Output Circuit Shorted to Battery Voltage
23: Rear Air Bag Sensor and Bracket Circuit Input Feed/Return Circuit Open
24: Rear Air Bag Sensor and Bracket Output Feed/Return Circuit Open
32: Driver Side Air Bag Circuit High Resistance or Open
34: Driver Side Air Bag Circuit Low Resistance or Shorted
41: RH Front Air Bag Sensor and Bracket Feed/Return Circuit Open
42: LH Front Air Bag Sensor and Bracket Feed/Return Circuit Open
44: RH Front Air Bag Sensor and Bracket Not Mounted to Vehicle Properly
45: LH Front Air Bag Sensor and Bracket Not Mounted to Vehicle Properly
51: ADM Internal Thermal Fuse Blown Due to Intermittent Short to Ground
52: Backup Power Supply Voltage Boost Fault
53: Front Air Bag Sensor and Bracket Circuits Resistance to Ground or ADM Fault
Rapid Continuous Flashing (No Fault Code): All Primary Air Bag Sensors Disconnected
Source: by Ford via Steve83 (Steve, That dirty old truck) at SuperMotors.net
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2019
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My4Fordtrucks, Good, detailed explanation for what it covers. My tone (chime 5x5) is signaling only that service is required, as I understand. It doesn't isolate the problem specifically -- meaning one is to take a 25 year old truck in for service to fix a problem which I would like to fix myself and a problem that the service department probably would like for me to fix also. Sorry, but I would just as soon be without the air bag. The cost of a service department to troubleshoot, identify and fix the air bag "system" probably is cost prohibitive on an old truck -- in addition, even fixed, there is still an explosive very close to my face (on an old truck with an old air bag). Simply solution -- disarm or get rid of the air bag. Just my opinion. Thanks for your response and maybe many people are not of the same mindset as I. Iraa