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1) The air bag indicator light is in the lower left corner of the cluster, next to the voltage gauge (see owners manual for clarification). Watch to see if it illuminates at key on during the bulb check.
2) If not, check fuse #29 (5A) in the fuse panel under the steering column. This provides power for the light.
3) If the fuse is good, remove the cluster and check the bulb. IIRC it’s a #54 bulb, available from any parts store. If you go to Ford, they will sell you the bulb and socket assembly.
If the fuse and bulb check out OK, I can provide you with the next steps in diagnosis.
In your first post, you said the “air bag off” light, which would be the indicator for the passenger seat air bag (turned on and off using the key), which is located in the center of the dash, not the instrument cluster.
Ok, but that’s not the air bag indicator light I’m referring to, nor is it the indicator that the code refers to. See illustration.
This is the indicator light the code refers to. If it’s not illuminating at key on, refer to the fuse and bulb checks and if no problems are found, further diagnosis will be required.
Got it, so I wasn’t even looking at the correct light. The light in the instrument cluster also lights up on start and then turns off after a few seconds.
I’ve never used forscsan before - does it indicate if the code status is active/pending or history? Because if it’s a history code, you probably have nothing to worry about.
If it’s active/pending, one simple test is to create a fault and see if the light stays on.
NOTE: To prevent accidental air bag deployment, disconnect the negative battery cable and wait for at least one minute before disconnecting anything. This allows the emergency battery backup in the RCM to discharge.
Probably the easiest component to access will be the clock spring connector at the base of the steering column. Remove the lower column trim panel and look for the yellow connector (or yellow wire loom) and disconnect it.
Hook up the battery and turn the key on. The light should come on for a few seconds and go out as before, but then it should illuminate again and begin flashing out a code related to the clock spring.
If you ever had to count the CEL flashes on an OBD1 system, the process is the same for the air bag light.
If the light flashes and the correct code is present, I’d consider the RCM functional.
Disconnect the battery again, reconnect the clock spring and clear the codes. If the code sets again, there’s likely a problem with the cluster or an intermittent wiring connection.
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