Air Bag Light Blinks "Code 45".....

[BauerOnDubs]

My air bag light blinks (3 times overall) a "code 45". The light blinks 4 times, pauses briefly, blinks 5 times, then a long pause. Does that 3 times, and then stays on. Is this issue something serious, or is it a sign for something else (like a transmission issue, using the air bag light because there isn't a tranny light?)

Please let me know, as driving around with an air bag light on isn't my idea of thrilling...

 

[Turdle]

Clockspring? I had this prob on a 93 aerostar van, it was the clockspring.

 

[aldive]

This should help with LFC 45 ...........

LFC 45/DTC U2018 - Passenger Side Crash Sensor Comm. Fault

Normal Operation
The passenger side crash sensor monitors the severity of a crash event. If the crash event is severe enough, the sensor will signal the Restraints Control Module (RCM) to deploy the passenger side air bag.

The RCM monitors the two-wire current loop to the passenger side crash sensor for a signal that is out of the expected range. If the RCM detects an out-of-range signal from the passenger side crash sensor, indicating a sensor communication fault, it will store Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) U2018 and flash a Lamp Fault Code (LFC) 45 (or a higher priority code if one exists) on the air bag indicator.

Possible Causes
A passenger side crash sensor communication fault condition can be caused by:

damaged wiring on circuit 1263 (WH).
damaged wiring on circuit 1264 (BN).
damaged passenger side crash sensor.

 

[BuffaloXplorer]

FWIW - it's an easy repair if it's the sensor itself...easy but not inexpensive. The sensor is about $130 at Ford but may be cheaper through www.rockauto.com or www.fordpartsnetwork.com.

All you need to do is take apart the front end to gain access and it comes off with 4 bolts & a wiring harness (headlights, grille, black plastic shroud behind the grille that directs air towards the center of the radiator, etc). Reinstall and away you go.

If you take off the black plastic panel that's affixed to the front of the engine bay and the header panel (the one with the "doors" that allow access to your headlight/corner bulbs), then look down behind the inner part of the headlight, the sensor is right there. It's a small black box, approx. 1.5"x1.5", that is affixed to a metal bracket that's bolted to the front of the engine bay.

 

[BauerOnDubs]

thanks guys!!! This forum is definitely whatsup!