Airbag LFC 33

[Mike_B_SVT]

Well, unhooked the battery and removed the seat today.
Disconnected the connectors and tightened up the connections/pins a bit so they fit more snug.
Put it all back together... and I'm still getting the flashing light (LFC33) :-/

I guess I'll be looking into some parts in the future.

 

[BigRondo]

Well, unhooked the battery and removed the seat today.
Disconnected the connectors and tightened up the connections/pins a bit so they fit more snug.
Put it all back together... and I'm still getting the flashing light (LFC33) :-/

I guess I'll be looking into some parts in the future.

You might need to replace the seatbelt pretensioner.

Here is the TSB posted by swetrid. It has the part numbers:

Ford has a tsb for this problem. Here it is, it is basically just a new wiring assy.
Printable View (9 KB)
TSB
03-11-3 ELECTRICAL - AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) B2292

Publication Date: May 20, 2003

FORD: 2002-2003 EXPLORER
MERCURY: 2002-2003 MOUNTAINEER


ISSUE:
Some 2002-2003 4Dr Explorer/Mountaineer vehicles may exhibit an air bag warning lamp illuminated with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) B2292 and Light Flashing Code (LFC) 33 (Driver seat pretensioner fault), OR LFC 34 (Passenger seat pretensioner fault). This may be caused by intermittent pretensioner connection at either seat belt buckle.

ACTION:
Install pretensioner kit for affected side(s) by build date/color. Refer to the following Service Information for details.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Obtain correct Service Kit and refer to instruction sheet included with kit for installation instructions.

2002 Model Year Through 3/3/02 Build Dates

Medium Dark Parchment 1L2Z-78610E22-AAA
Midnight Black 1L2Z-78610E22-AAB
Dark Graphite 1L2Z-78610E22-AAC
2002/2003 Model Years 3/4/02 Through 1/17/03

Medium Dark Parchment 1L2Z-78610E22-BAA
Midnight Black 1L2Z-78610E22-BAB
Dark Graphite 1L2Z-78610E22-BAC

PART NUMBER PART NAME
1L2Z-78610E22-AAA Pretentioner Service Kit - Medium Dark Parchment - Through 3/3/02
1L2Z-78610E22-AAB Pretentioner Service Kit - Midnight Black - Through 3/3/02
1L2Z-78610E22-AAC Pretentioner Service Kit - Dark Graphite - Through 3/3/02
1L2Z-78610E22-BAA Pretentioner Service Kit - Medium Dark Parchment - 3/4/02 Through 1/17/03
1L2Z-78610E22-BAB Pretentioner Service Kit - Midnight Black - 3/4/02 Through 1/17/03
1L2Z-78610E22-BAC Pretentioner Service Kit - Dark Graphite - 3/4/02 Through 1/17/03


OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES:
NONE

WARRANTY STATUS:
Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
031103A Install Pretensioner Wiring Kit One Front Seat (Includes Time To Remove And Install Seat And To Perform Deactivation/Reactivation) 1.3 Hrs.
031103B Install Pretensioner Wiring Kit Both Front Seats (Includes Time To Remove And Install Seat And To Perform Deactivation/Reactivation) 1.6 Hrs.
031103C Install Pretensioner Wiring Kit One Front Seat (Includes Time To Remove And Install Seat And To Perform Deactivation And Reactivation - With Canopy Air Bag) 1.5 Hrs.
031103D Install Pretensioner Wiring Kit Both Front Seats (Includes Time To Remove And Install Seat And To Perform Deactivation And Reactivation - With Canopy Air Bag) 1.8 Hrs.

DEALER CODING
BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
7861202 X2

OASIS CODES:
104000, 203200, 206000


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle.

Copyright © 2003 Ford Motor Company

Good luck.

 

[Mike_B_SVT]

Update: Ordered the TSB repair kit part and installed it = No Good, still getting LFC 33

Called my local Ford dealership and asked the tech about the codes and clearing them and whatnot. Told him that I applied the TSB fix and still no good. He was nice enough to tell me that they occasionally see this problem when the cables under the carpet are damaged.

So while checking the carpet side of the cables I notice that one of the wires that connects to the green connector does not look right.
My connector under the seat is GREEN, not yellow or white, btw (6 way seat with memory, built prior to 3/3/02).
Turns out that the whole time one of the wires on the green plug has been hanging on by just a few strands of wire and some insulation! So much for my previous "thorough inspection"

I removed the cable from the TSB, cut off the green plug on the original cable and the green plug from under the carpet and crimped on some basic wire connectors. LFC33 GONE!

...What a PITA! 3 weekends of fiddling, $117 in non-returnable parts, and it was resolved in 30 minutes with a $2.95 connector kit.:fire:

Note: in the interest of solid connections, I also tightened up the pin connections a little bit at the end of the cable where it connects to the pretensioner (black connector with a yellow slider). This alone did not solve my LFC33 issue though.

 

[BigRondo]

I know it was a PITA, but you did get it fixed. Gotta be happy about that.

 

[Mike_B_SVT]

I know it was a PITA, but you did get it fixed. Gotta be happy about that.

Yeah, I'm glad it's fixed. I wouldn't have been able to do that for even the $120 I ended up paying without this forum and the excellent community knowledge and support!

BIG thanks to BigRondo, Mac99, Swetrid, and everyone else!

 

[rocco123]

My 2002 flashes 3-4 on and off for several years. Power heated seats. I have soldered all connections where harness comes up thru the floor on both drivers & pass seats & checked for solid contacts. Still had the light periodically. Pulled center console yesterday to access the airbag restraint module. Drove around with 2 digital meters pinned with gold amphenol 360 contacts to the connector at the box (connector disconnected). Reading 2.1 ohm & 3 ohms thru the pretensioners. Moved wiring & seats all over the place with absolutely no fluctuation at all. Even moved wiring under carpeting. I am positive I have the pretensioner wires as meter shows 0 ohm with yellow connectors at seats disconnected. Hooked airbag module back up and left center console out for a while and will see where this leads. BTW, mu ford factory wiring manual shows different connectors for wire pin-outs on both module connectors. Many more pin assignments on the actual airbag module than manual shows. I am testing per wire color code which is correct & goes to the seats.

 

[BigRondo]

LFC 34 is for the passenger seat belt pretensioner. I will check my shop manuals & wiring diagrams when I get home tonight to see if I can get you some more usefull info.

I ultimately fixed my problem (LFC 33, driver seatbelt pretensioner) by taping the wires going to the seatbelt pretensioner so they wouldn't bend and kink when moving the seat.

 

[rocco123]

i use a factory ford explorer wiring manual. i have the correct wires at the module to both seats... yes pretensioners , just cant make it break the test circuit. will give it time to fault while reconnected to module before reinstalling console.

 

[snakesausage]

Thanks to all who posted. I was having the same issue with airbag code 34 (3 blinks, pause, 4 blinks). First I started under the seat and found that there were no issues at the yellow connector so I then took out the passenger’s seat to investigate. What I found is that the terminals that contact the tensioner were very loose (no way that they were ever a good tight contact). I took them out of the housing by gently prying up on the three tabs to remove the “cover” and gave them a very slight crimp with my needle nose (make sure that you note the color locations… holding the wire with the right angle of the connector pointing down the red wire is on the left). I tried them on the tensioner terminals individually and they were much tighter. I reassembled everything and took it back to the truck and plugged it in and turned the key on and there was no more code. I did not disconnect the battery to clear the codes so it seems that when contact is reestablished the code goes away.

 

[BigRondo]

Thanks to all who posted. I was having the same issue with airbag code 34 (3 blinks, pause, 4 blinks). First I started under the seat and found that there were no issues at the yellow connector so I then took out the passenger’s seat to investigate. What I found is that the terminals that contact the tensioner were very loose (no way that they were ever a good tight contact). I took them out of the housing by gently prying up on the three tabs to remove the “cover” and gave them a very slight crimp with my needle nose (make sure that you note the color locations… holding the wire with the right angle of the connector pointing down the red wire is on the left). I tried them on the tensioner terminals individually and they were much tighter. I reassembled everything and took it back to the truck and plugged it in and turned the key on and there was no more code. I did not disconnect the battery to clear the codes so it seems that when contact is reestablished the code goes away.

Welcome aboard!!

Nice job on the fix. It's nice when things work out! :biggthump

 

[2003blueexplorer]

Any ideas if you replace the tensioner any you still have the code 33?

 

[snakesausage]

Any ideas if you replace the tensioner any you still have the code 33?

What I found is that the terminals in the cable that contact the tensioner were very loose (no way that they were ever a good tight contact). The tensioner itself was not the issue. Pull the connector apart on the cable that attaches to the tensioner and give the contacts a slight squeeze with needle nose pliers and reassemble.

 

[dmckeever]

I just did a fix today. I read on another article that it is a white connector, on the 2002 limited at least, mine was yellow. it was indeed the connector alone, and I know why. after cutting off both connectors, (of course, AFTER discharging the SRS system, safety first) I found that the male end, when the wire was gently twisted, rotated the pin freely in the connector. this must cause intermittent connection from vibration and movement.

anyways, I got out the insulated quick disconnects, and replaced the damaged connectors with disconnects, which fit much tighter than the little pins in the stock connector. sure enough, code gone.

Well... thank you so much for this!
I've had this code problem for a few years now (no time to fix), and I've also checked into the replacement part (over $100 in Canada). I'm confused and bitter that this is described as a connector problem, but was not really sure until your post. Confused that a connector could cost $100; and bitter realizing that Ford would indeed charge $100 for a connector!

I'll try and give this a try this winter sometime!

 

[BigRondo]

Well... thank you so much for this!
I've had this code problem for a few years now (no time to fix), and I've also checked into the replacement part (over $100 in Canada). I'm confused and bitter that this is described as a connector problem, but was not really sure until your post. Confused that a connector could cost $100; and bitter realizing that Ford would indeed charge $100 for a connector!

I'll try and give this a try this winter sometime!

The price is for the pretensioner kit. Not just the connector as far as I know.

Good luck with the fix and be sure to let us know how you make out. :biggthump

 

[ignis]

Thanks to all who posted. I was having the same issue with airbag code 34 (3 blinks, pause, 4 blinks). First I started under the seat and found that there were no issues at the yellow connector so I then took out the passenger’s seat to investigate. What I found is that the terminals that contact the tensioner were very loose (no way that they were ever a good tight contact). I took them out of the housing by gently prying up on the three tabs to remove the “cover” and gave them a very slight crimp with my needle nose (make sure that you note the color locations… holding the wire with the right angle of the connector pointing down the red wire is on the left). I tried them on the tensioner terminals individually and they were much tighter. I reassembled everything and took it back to the truck and plugged it in and turned the key on and there was no more code. I did not disconnect the battery to clear the codes so it seems that when contact is reestablished the code goes away.

Old thread, but wanted to report that the fixes found here solved this same issue (Airbag flashing code 33) my 2002 Ford Explorer.

Some notes: My vehicle had the green connector (not yellow). I first bypassed this connector, but the code was still present. I then did exactly as Snakesausage suggested by removing the cover (3 delicate tabs) on the pretensioner connector (yellow and black connector just at the base of the seat belt buck assembly) and then slightly crimping the barrels where the connection is made by the pins coming from the pretensioner assembly's conenctor. That fixed my problem!
Note: I unbolted the seat, but didn't bother with removing the pre-tensioner. This whole process should take others only about 30 minutes.

THANKS!!

 

[rocco123]

Did the same to fix my 34 code but also rewired that run to the box in the ctr console

 

[D Hook]

Just came up with the 33 code this morning after moving the seat back to it's position since the wife moved the seat up yesterday. Did a cursory check under the seat and didn't succeed in solving so I'll be pulling the seat out tomorrow and see what's what. Info on this thread should help a great deal.

 

[rocco123]

I was never able to find an intermittent but replaced the wires to the seat anyhow. Recrimped wire contacts at the seat switch also and havent seen the code since. Code used to come and go a lot before that.

 

[Thermopyle]

Just curious: Does this affect the actual operation of the airbag?

 

[rocco123]

Dont know