Hey there. I'm adding this thread as I haven't seen anything about this particular issue - perhaps it'll help some other soul some day.
We have a persistent chime in the cab of the truck. The chime is 5 cycles, and 5 chimes per cycle (yes, 25 chimes!). This occurs upon startup of the truck, and then at 30 - 45 minute intervals when the truck is running. On a 6 hour drive, this gets quite annoying!
The performance shop didn't have any insight, so we took it to the local Ford dealer. They identified the chime is indicative of the Air Bag System. They identifed an open circuit in the instrument cluster.
So, we need to replace the bulb in the instrument cluster, see if that completes the circuit, and if not continue troubleshooting.
We declined to have Ford replace the bulb (they wanted $100+) dollars to do this. BUT - we can't get the bloody radio out of the dash.
If anyone has any tricks I'm open to them. It's supposed to be easy, but ours is giving us fits.
I'll keep you posted as to what we find in this thread.

 

That's the first thing you need to do.
Replace the Air Bag bulb. IMO

If the bulb blinks consitantly afterwards there may be something wrong with the System.

The dealer should have known from scanning the AirBag system if there were other concerns tho.

 

I hope you are using the special tool for radio removal. I have managed to do it with large finishing nails in the past but even that was a bear. I now have the tools. Much easier.

 

OsbornFamily could you fill out your signature so that we can know what you are driving?
On my 1999 the radio has four small holes that you need to insert the removal tools into. If you don't have the horseshoe shaped tools, Tenn01 has a good idea with the nails. They would work better if you grind or cut the pointed end off. Then the trick that I found works the best is to have a partner push in on the face of the radio as if you wanted to push it deeper into the dashboard. You want to unload the little lock tabs from thier hooks so that they can be more easily released. While your partner is applying pressure to the radio insert the removal tools into the little holes on each side about 3/4" or thereabouts. You are looking for a "releasing" feeling that will come back at you through the removal tools. If you jam the tools too deep that will only serve to help lock the radio into the dash and make removal all the more difficult. So it will take some finess to get the right depth. Once that proper depth is found, push the outer end of the tools away from each other. Lean the left side to the left and the right side to the right and attempt at that point to slide the radio out.

 

I added a signature - hope that helps!
I'll try the finishing nails. I don't have the tools, but bent coat hangers. Sounds like I may have made it more difficult for myself already, but I like the finishing nail idea.
I'll give it a shot and let you know!
THANKS!

 

I got mine for 3 dollars and some change at Wal-Mart. Coat hangers work, but the tools have a little notch which locks into the internal tab so you know you're deep enough. Kwik is right though, it takes some finness.

 

Yeah, the correct tools cost about $4 at any walmart. If you use coat hangers or anything else, you can screw up the clips and then you will be in deep doodoo. I found that out the hard way.

Do you really need to take your radio out to replace your air bag bulb?

 

18ga Solid copper wire works well. Cut about 4" peices and strip 3/4" off one end once you get them in the 4 holes use a finger or a short piece of wire bent like a fishhook in the tape deck and pull gently.

 

Does anybody know the part# for the bulb? I need to change mine as well.