Adding a passenger airbag question
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Adding a passenger airbag question
Hi everyone, I have a 97 ranger that came with a drivers airbag only, I recently have seen many airbags going for a fair price on ebay and am wondering what is involved in adding a passenger bag into my current blank space. I have popped off the blank cover a few times, and have noticed that the airbag plug is there, and that if i unplug it from the blank panel the airbag indicator light goes off. Is it as simple as plugging in and snapping in an airbag unit into my dash, or are there other modules or parts required?
Thanks in advance
Brandon
Thanks in advance
Brandon
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
What I would do is to get my hands on the wiring diagram for your model year (Ford service manual, of course) and compare it against a Ranger that came with a passenger airbag. I'm not sure what the first year was, but I *think* in the beginning the passenger airbag was an option. Scope out every single aspect of that airbag wiring, including the sensor in the passenger seat (don't want to blow a bag if nobody is there) as well as the switch to kill the passenger side airbag.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Melbourne, Aus
I will be honest - and I do not mean to be rude - but I wouldn't touch it unless you really know what you are doing.
Airbags are a black art, and messing up the wiring or even locationing can cause fatal issues (and I wouldn't recommend buying one on e-bay either...)
Not to mention that thier benefits aren't always realised.
I think there is to much risk for not enough potential gain - thats all.
Airbags are a black art, and messing up the wiring or even locationing can cause fatal issues (and I wouldn't recommend buying one on e-bay either...)
Not to mention that thier benefits aren't always realised.
I think there is to much risk for not enough potential gain - thats all.
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thanks so far guys!
ok cool, ya i know there are mixed opinions on airbags and such, I do have the manuals for the truck with the wiring diagrams, i guess i'll check into that. And yeah the passenger airbag was an option in ;97 on most ford cars and trucks. Im not sure, but i imagine even the supercab rangers (like mine) did have the passenger shut off switch as something like a baby seat wouldnt do well in a jump seat, lol....Thanks for advice so far guys, i have heard something about the passenger sensor being in the seatbelt release (floor side) so maybe i'll have to go to a wercker and see............or reconsider an LCD tv.instead...
Brandon
Brandon
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From: Maine
I don't think the '97's had a shut-off switch for the passenger airbag (although I'm not positive, as mine doesn't have the airbag). I know that the Ranger's I have seen with the shut-off switch have a slightly different dash layout under the climate controls to accommodate the switch.
I believe those switches only came into being when the airbags became mandatory; since the airbag was optional, I don't believe provisions were made for people who had it but didn't want it.
I think the LCD is a much better idea, although if I had the time, I'd remove the cover and make a nice, open storage compartment there, almost like the shelf in that spot on the pre-'95 models.
I believe those switches only came into being when the airbags became mandatory; since the airbag was optional, I don't believe provisions were made for people who had it but didn't want it.
I think the LCD is a much better idea, although if I had the time, I'd remove the cover and make a nice, open storage compartment there, almost like the shelf in that spot on the pre-'95 models.
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Understanding that I am out of the ranger business these days and don't have any documents to work off of I will add some comments. Based on my experience with a 98 the air bag controller is looking for a resistance of 7-15 ohms. Or it will error out and give an air bag alarm blink code. Check your blink code (search the forum for a code list) and if it comes back as a passenger air bag code it would seem that the wiring and controller is set up for the air bag and just has a dummy load on the panel connector. The crash sensors (2) are located on the front of the truck by the radiator and do not look for any signal from the passenger seat. Disconnect the battery for 15 mins before messing with the Airbag System and remember you are doing so at you own risk.
Dave
Ps: I would go a GPS nav system...
Dave
Ps: I would go a GPS nav system...
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cool, thx guys
if i get a chance this weekend i'll pull off the dummy cover and check out the manual again. The resistance thing makes sense since when i unplugged the wire clipped to the dummy panel the airbag indicator went off. ...but a GPS nav system sounds good too
Thanks again, and Happy easter / passover
Brandon
Thanks again, and Happy easter / passover
Brandon
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