Should I be concerned about the yellow air bag light flashing on occassion?
There seems to be no rim nor reason as to when it goes off on a trip.
Thanks

 

Yes you should be concerned. It might not go off when you need it to.

The reason it is flashing is because there is at least one code (two digit code.) Count the flashs, it will pause, then flash again for the second number. Then it will repeat that code or continue with the next code.

Come back with the numbers and we could translate them for you.

 

The code is 32. Three flashes, a pause, then a two.
Thanks Nighthawk.

 

Did your horn and cruise control also stop working? If so, it's the clockspring, or so I've been told.

 

DTC 32: DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG CIRCUIT HIGH RESISTANCE OR OPEN
Normal Operation
While the ignition switch is in the RUN position, the air bag diagnostic monitor runs periodic checks on the resistance of the driver and passenger air bag circuits.

o Normal resistance from Pin 2 (Driver Air Bag Feed) to Pin 3 (Driver Air Bag Return) is between 1.4 ohms and 2.0 ohms. This resistance total results from the sum of the components in the circuit: the air bag module (approximately 1 ohm) and the air bag sliding contact (0.20 ohm to 0.35 ohm per winding, 2 windings total) plus a small amount of resistance due to the wire itself, crimps, etc.

o If the resistance across these two pins exceeds 3.5 ohms, the air bag diagnostic monitor will interpret this as high resistance and the air bag diagnostic monitor will store in memory and flash out on the air bag indicator a DTC 32.

o If the high resistance is later serviced or otherwise falls into the normal range, the next ignition switch cycle will produce a DTC 72 (or a higher priority DTC if one exists).

NOTE: The air bag connector, air bag diagnostic monitor harness connector, and the air bag sliding contact connector have metal spring clips that act as shorting bars. These shorting bars are built into the plastic hardshell connectors. The shorting bars are designed to short Circuits 614 (GY/O) and 615 (GY/W) together when the connectors are not mated. DO NOT attempt to remove the air bag shorting bar and measure the resistance of the air bag.
The air bag sliding contact shorting bar may be removed to measure the air bag sliding contact resistance. Likewise, the shorting bar(s) in the air bag diagnostic monitor harness connector may be removed by removing the black spacer (locking wedge) from the connector. Use extreme caution when reinstalling the shorting bars to ensure they are installed correctly.


Possible Causes
Excessive resistance across Pins 2 and 3 can be caused by:
o A poor connection or corrosion where the air bag sliding contact connects into the main wiring harness. The air bag sliding contact connector at the base of the steering column may have excessive resistance between the male and female terminals in the connector. Also, corrosion may occur on the terminal crimps on both the air bag sliding contact terminals and the main wiring harness terminals.

o An open circuit or high resistance in the air bag sliding contact windings inside the air bag sliding contact.

o An open circuit or high resistance in the wiring harness in either Circuit 614 (GY/O) or Circuit 615 (GY/W).

o An open circuit or high resistance in the driver side air bag module. DO NOT attempt a direct resistance measurement of the air bag. Follow the diagnostic procedure to determine if the air bag module resistance is higher than normal.

Looks like your clock spring is in need of replacement. That will fix the issue.

 

Where would one buy/purchase a "clock spring"?
And yes, the cruise control does not work.
Thanks to all.

 

Hi!
Check out my thread "Horn and Cruise Don't Work--WHY!?!". It deals with this very problem! I had to replace the clockspring. Also do a search for clockspring on this board for past postings. They have great details, instructions, etc.!!

Good Luck!!


the Cowgirl Mechanic

 

dealer item only
online at one of the Ford parts sites
Fordparts.com usually the cheapest even w shipping
fordpartsonline.com
or local dealer
be very careful working with the air bag, follow all safety instructions or BIG BOOM...guarenteed trip to dental surgeon

 

Yes. And to think that I almost married a dentist!!! Then I came to my senses and asked myself what are the two most terrifying things in a man's life: "wife and dentist." I don't think I can handle both rolled into one

 

a least a guy can leave the dentist's office and after awhile the PAIN goes away

my wife does NOT believe in offering novacaine or gas, now she wants me to try hearing aids

 

Next we're going to complain about the in-laws, right? I listened to NPR's "Car Talk" this morning, and he said all his in-laws are out-laws. Now, that's funny!

 

Just one last thing- my horn still does work, the cruise does not- does this still mean the Clockspring is bad? Thanks for all fo the info and links!

Yello4U

 

yes, all circuits in steering wheel center run thru the clockspring which is a device that allows rotation of steering while maintaining electrical circuits. think of it as multiple rotating wires

 

I've replace several clocksprings on my 93 AWD. (I get them used so they don't last as long, but for 7 bucks a pop, I'll keep visiting u-wrench-it). It's been my experience that the horn is the last to go. Usually the airbag lights are first, then the cruise control, and last, the horn.

There has been posts that describe a repair procedure for the clocksprings, but I haven't attempted yet.

 

post testing