Hi folks, this is my first post here. I have a '96 E150 w/ a 5.8L V-8 and 76K miles on it. My airbag light is flashing a 44 code, I have checked the continuity at the module under the dash and that is OK. My question is, how do you check the frame mounted sensor for continuity? The material that I read said to check it at the connector at the top of the sensor but, I can't see any way to take it apart. I don't want to pay for a new sensor if it's not necessary. Thanks for any help that you can give.

 

Can you find on the internet somewhere what the code 44 means? That should narrow it down for you. I don't know much about airbag systems.

 

Franklin2, Thanks for the reply. The code means that the right side, frame mounted sensor is mounted incorrectly, essentially a continuity reading that isn't right. This could mean a bad sensor or just a bad ground or wiring problem. Since sensors are ~150 dollars I would like to verify the sensor before shelling out for one!

 

I'm still stuck on this one so I thought I'd move this thread up in case someone missed it the first time. Again, thanks for any help.

 

I had one the other day that had the mounting bolts rusted out and one broken off and the other broke trying to remove it. I had to send it to the body shop and have them remove the front end body components and drill out the frame and install new bolts. This was a 99 E150 I believe. Its possible you have a similar problem.

 

HomerWinzlow, Thanks for the reply. I have dismounted the sensor(right frame rail) and cleaned the frame under the sensor, no luck. The frame is rust free and the bolts are solid. I'm wondering just where the ground is made since the bracket seems to have a coating on it. There is a small hole in the back of the bracket that had some rust bulging out of it. I cleaned out the rust but I wonder if that was some kind of contact point for the frame. I tried putting a screw head in there to make contact with the frame but it didn't do anything. Thanks again for the reply and I am so sorry to hear of your loss.

 

PINPOINT TEST 44: RH FRAME RAIL FRONT AIR BAG PRIMARY SENSOR NOT MOUNTED TO VEHICLE PROPERLY (CODE 44)

NOTE: Use Rotunda 73 Digital Multimeter 105-R0051 or equivalent to perform electrical pinpoint tests.



Normal Operation

The air bag diagnostic monitor measures the resistance between pin 20 (Circuit 618, P/LG) and pin 3 (diagnostic monitor reference ground). If the air bag diagnostic monitor measures a difference of more than 2.0 ohms between pin 20 and pin 3, it will flash out code 44.

Note that Circuit 618 (P/LG) is attached to the side casing of the RH frame rail front air bag primary crash sensor and bracket. In addition, the case is grounded to the vehicle.

Possible Causes

High resistance on pin 20 (Circuit 618, P/LG) to ground can be caused by the following conditions:

A poor connection due to loose mounting, dirt or corrosion at the RH frame rail front air bag primary crash sensor and bracket mounting location.
An open or damaged wire in Circuit 618 (P/LG) from pin 20 of the diagnostic monitor harness connector to RH frame rail front air bag primary crash sensor and bracket.
An open wire or loose P/LG wire attachment inside RH frame rail front air bag primary crash sensor and bracket.


RH Frame Rail Front Air Bag Primary Sensor Not Mounted to Vehicle Properly





44-1 CHECK FOR DTC 44
Key to RUN.
Count diagnostic trouble code (if any).
Is code 44 flashing?
Yes No
GO to 44-2 . READ the normal operation description for this diagnostic trouble code. EXAMINE the diagnostic trouble code schematic and LOOK for areas where intermittent problems would occur (connectors, splices, crimps, etc.). Do not proceed with pinpoint test until the code is flashing. Failure to do so will result in needless replacement of the air bag diagnostic monitor and repeat repairs.

44-2 DEACTIVATE SYSTEM
Deactivate system (leave positive battery cable disconnected).
Disconnect air bag diagnostic monitor.
Use Rotunda 73 Digital Multimeter 105-R0051 or equivalent.
Set ohmmeter on the lowest ohm scale possible (200 ohms).
Zero ohmmeter. RECORD resistance reading with the two leads together.
Measure the resistance between pin 20 and pin 3 (ground).
Is the resistance greater than 2 ohms?
Yes
GO to 44-3 .

No REPLACE air bag diagnostic monitor. RECONNECT system. VERIFY system. REACTIVATE system.

44-3 CHECK RH FRAME RAIL FRONT AIR BAG PRIMARY CRASH SENSOR
Disconnect the RH frame rail front air bag primary crash sensor from the harness.
Measure the resistance between the P/LG ground wire in the sensor connector and a nearby, good chassis ground (make sure this ground is clean and bare).
Is the resistance less than 2 ohms?
Yes
INSPECT circuit between pin 20 and the RH frame rail front air bag primary crash sensor. CHECK all terminal crimps, interconnections and splices for four connections. SERVICE any poor connections. RECONNECT system. VERIFY system. REACTIVATE system.

NO REMOVE screws retaining RH frame rail front air bag primary crash sensor. CLEAN mounting surface of sensor chassis. REMOUNT RH frame rail front air bag primary crash sensor. TIGHTEN screws to 13-17 Nm (10-13 lb-ft). GO to 44-4 .

44-4 MEASURE RESISTANCE OF SENSOR TO GROUND
Measure the resistance between the P/LG ground wire in the sensor connector and the chassis ground.
Is the resistance less than 2 ohms?

YES RECONNECT system. VERIFY system. REACTIVATE system.

NO REPLACE RH frame rail air bag primary crash sensor. RECONNECT system. VERIFY system. REACTIVATE system.

 

44-4 MEASURE RESISTANCE OF SENSOR TO GROUND
Measure the resistance between the P/LG ground wire in the sensor connector and the chassis ground.
Is the resistance less than 2 ohms?

This is where I am stuck, the wires go into the sensor but I don't see any connector that can be opened. Should I just stick the probe down into the sensor along the wire?

 

Hightop, many of the sensors have very long wiring leads, so you may have to follow it from the sensor down to the point where the connector is attached to the loom to find the connector. I would use a multimeter and measure resistance from the bracket to ground, using the neg battery post as ground. If the vehicle frame is rusted enough, it may not be grounded properly in itself. Also the P/LG wire is attached to the body of the sensor itself, and that attaching point could be corroded to the point that it wont ground through the body of the sensor.

 

Homer, OK, I'll give it a try, thanks again for your help.