Air bag light was flashing three, four yesterday. The humidity has been high here lately. After warm up and dry out I restarted the engine and the code cleared and it was also fine today. Clock spring was replaced a couple of years ago after a 3-2 code but this is 3-4. I'm thinking this was an advance warning about something. Any ideas?

 

Fall is a busy time and the knowledge base is busy. I can't believe no one knows what a 34 air bag light code is so the gurus are busy. It did it again both humid mornings this weekend. Does anyone know what connections need to be cleaned up and not deploy the air bag? I don't know where to start. Thanks.

 

I'll try to offer some help although I know nothing of the air bag system other than to be very carefull when working on it. The following is a copy and paste from my 1996 service manual cd. I'd imagine the procedure would be the same for your 94.

PINPOINT TEST 34: DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG CIRCUIT LOW RESISTANCE OR SHORTED (CODE 34)


Normal Operation

The air bag diagnostic monitor measures the resistance across Pin 10, Circuit 615 (GY/W) and Pin 11, Circuit 614 (GY/O) every time the key is turned to RUN. Normal resistance across these circuits is between 1.5 and 2.0 ohms. This resistance comes from the driver side air bag module (approximately 1.0 ohm) and the windings of the air bag sliding contact (0.25 to 0.5 ohm per winding, two windings in all). If the resistance across these two circuits is less than 0.7 ohm, the air bag diagnostic monitor will flash Code 34 on the air bag lamp.

l The connectors for the driver side air bag module and the air bag sliding contact 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 and 615 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 resistance of the air bag sliding contact. Use extreme care when reinstalling the shorting bar to make sure it is installed correctly.

Possible Causes

Low resistance across Pins 10 and 11 can be caused by:

(1) A poorly mated connector on the air bag sliding contact may not push the shorting bars back into their fully retracted positions.

(2) A faulty shorting bar may short Circuits 614 and 615 together.

(3) A short in the air bag sliding contact windings between Circuits 614 and 615.

(4) A short across the terminals within the driver side air bag module. DO NOT attempt a direct resistance measurement of the driver side air bag module. Follow the diagnostic procedures to determine if the driver side air bag module resistance is lower than normal.

34-1 CHECK FOR DTC 34


l Key to RUN.

l Count diagnostic trouble code (if any).

l Is Code 34 flashing?

Yes
GO to «34-2».

No
READ the normal operation description for this code. EXAMINE the 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 service.

If you want to see 34-2 let me know and i'll post it up. Good luck and be carefull. If you'd like to see the electrical diagram you'll have to send me your e-mail address and I can send it to you. I haven't figured out how to copy and paste diagrams from my cd.

 

Thanks Fishallot for the great info and your candor. I also know nothing about air bags. I'm thinking of waiting for a humid morning when it is flashing, disconnect battery and try to clean and grease this connector if I can find it. The way it is acting I would guess the the air bag sliding contact connector is under the hood because code clears after engine warm up and restarting. I would guess if the windings were shorted they would show code all the time if they are sealed well. Just guessing at this point.....No clue as to what an air bag sliding contact is either. I'll look for the following....Thanks for the help.

(1) A poorly mated connector on the air bag sliding contact may not push the shorting bars back into their fully retracted positions.

 

After looking at the wiring diagram I believe the connectors your looking for are in the steering column, in the area of the clocksprings. I would feel safer with you working on this if you could see the schematic, it shows where everything is and which ones not to mess with.

 

I'm going to put this project on back burner for now. A couple of years ago before finding FTE here I asked Ford dealer to replace the clock spring. Could be a connector not fully seated. Next weekend I'll be at the deer lease, followed by surgery and 10 lbs lift limit for three weeks, then deer season. If the blinking light becomes constant and bother me too much I'll tape over it for now. Thanks again for the great help and safety warning.