Airbag light

[aldive]

Eureka….

Well, my problem is not fixed yet, but I do now know its source. Further, I now know why the ******* trick works ( sometimes ). More on this at end of post.

After scan for the Airbag trouble codes, it was determined that there was a resistance problem in the passenger side airbag circuit. I forgot the OBD II trouble code number.

The infamous yellow plug under the seats that are supposed to go to side airbags ( that the ‘99 did not have available. Well, inside the “capâ€￾ of this connector there is a resistor. This resistor “foolsâ€￾ the computer controller into thinking that the side airbags are in place and working normally.

In my case, the resistor in the cap of the passenger side harness is bad.

Well, Ford, in its infinite wisdom, does not offer for sale the cap assemble, they want you to purchase the entire harness ( for several hundreds dollars ). My mechanic friend got in touch with a friend of his in the parts department of a local Ford dealer and had him search the parts catalogs for just the cap/resistor assembly. We lucked out; Ford has a number for it and the best part is that it is only $6.00. The bad part is it will take a week to arrive ( due to Thanksgiving holiday ),

The repair will then be a simple replacement of the cap assembles. I ordered one for the drivers side also ( just in case ). I will post the part number after it arrives.

My theory on the ******* trick is that it somehow “wigglesâ€￾ the resistor and makes the proper contact. Its not the blowing into the connector, its just the act of removing/replacing it.

I hope this information will help the next guy with the code flashing airbag light,

Well, the parts from Ford finally arrived and as promised, the part number as well as the diagnostic code are as follows:

XL1Z-14B022-AA Ford calls it "one resistor" $8.00 at local dealer
B 1998 Passenger side airbag circuit shorted or resistance high

 

[DirtyDog]

Is it the same part # for both sides?? Just wonderin cause if I'm doin both of them at that price.

 

[aldive]

Is it the same part # for both sides?? Just wonderin cause if I'm doin both of them at that price.

Yes it is the same part number. As cheap as they are , it would be prudent to replace both sides.

Good luck....

 

[DirtyDog]

For you Canadian folks out there, they are $12.60 each

 

[aldive]

Just returned from a 1400 mile trip with no recurrence of the airbag light being illuminated.

The fix appears to really work.

 

[Interstate]

Al, did your wires look melted before you replace the cap?

 

[aldive]

Al, did your wires look melted before you replace the cap?

No

 

[MONMIX]

Just returned from a 1400 mile trip with no recurrence of the airbag light being illuminated.

The fix appears to really work.

Now we all know the REAL way to do it.

 

[Interstate]

Should someone email a mod to add it to that list of useful threads?

 

[DirtyDog]

Should someone email a mod to add it to that list of useful threads?

I think so. Good idea Interstate

 

[argetim]

I just came inside from looking under my seats for the "yellow cap" and did not find it. The only thing I found is under drivers seat (power seat) a black connector, gray connector, and a green connector. The gray and green go into a slit in the carpet. On the passanger side (no power seat) I found the same gray and green connector as on drivers and also go into a slit in the carpet. I did take pictures but dont know how to post it....Please help.

 

[Interstate]

Since there is no attachment (at least I can't find it) you'll have to have the images hosted by someone. I think printroom (?) is a free place for that.

It should be under the passenger side, attached at the rear. Might be a little hidden by the seat fabric or something, I can't really remember.

Has this thread been listed in the "Useful threads"?

 

[Ranger Al]

I know a guy at work have the same problem on his Ranger. He took it to the shop and they claimed it was the passenger seatbelt fault. They can't clear the code with the scanner and the guy took it home the other day the blinking light just go away!

If it is static or dust that cause the short, I would pull the wire apart and clean it with electrical cleaner. Mine have not have any problem, but I couldn't find any yellow connector. Would this be for the X only??

 

[DirtyDog]

I just checked on my Ford CD for a 1999 and the yellow cap under the seat is only on the explorer not the ranger

 

[aldive]

Its been almost 3 months since I replaced the yellow caps with no recurrence of the airbag light.

 

[Interstate]

Aye, same here.

 

[DirtyDog]

Ditto

 

[Ranger Al]

Thanks for the info. I was about to tear my seat apart looking for the wire!

 

[aldive]

Its been almost 3 months since I replaced the yellow caps with no recurrence of the airbag light.

Well add another month to the above and low and behold the damn airbag light came on again today. It was flashing the code 3 7 again.

Its raining like a cow peeing on a flat rock here today and I don't feel like investigating the problem. Will get on it later.

 

[Interstate]

hmmm, sounds bad. Al, (when you get the time) could you check out the wireing leading up to the cap? When I replaced mine, it looked as if it had gotten hot and started to melt. I didn't look upstream since the cap shut off the light.

Like a cow peeing on a flat rock? That's a new one to me... lol