Code 34 airbag system.

[92exp4x4]

This is my first experience with an airbag system. Could someone of knowledge explain briefly how they work. My 95 Aerostar has a 34 code as indicated by the trouble light. I have looked around a little but am not sure about some parts that people mention.

I understand this to be resistence low in the airbag circut. What is this circut? What does it do? How is it made? I am assuming that the clockspring is the contacts in the steering wheel to the column, correct?

What other circuts/ switches are in the system? I know the safety aspects of working on this system but, am not sure how it works. What else if anything should i know about with this? Any specialty tools etc??

Thanks

 

[BrooklynBay]

http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/airBag/airBag95.html
34 Driver Side Air Bag Circuit Low Resistance or Shorted.

The system detected a fault with a connection in the air bag wiring. The Aerostar only has one air bag (unlike the Explorer which has two air bags). BTW, one of the reasons that the Aerostar was discontinued in 1997 was because Ford didn't want to redesign the dashboard to include an air bag on the passenger's side. On the Explorer, this code might indicate a problem with the yellow connector under the front seat. On the Aerostar, it might be linked to the clockspring or some other part of the circuit. Do you have any of the classic issues which are related to the clockspring such as no cruise control or horn? Take a look at # 105 in my list of useful threads: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_there_a_chart_for_air_bag_light_error_codes

 

[92exp4x4]

I have not driven the vehicle yet actually. The rear end is bad so I can't test the cruise. I still havn't gone over the vehicle to much yet, I'll try the horn and see what happens.

Is the clockspring the contact fingers between the steering wheel and the column? I hear people mention this and i'm not sure what exactly it is.

I kind of looked around fo that yellow connector and there is a good reason I couldn't find it.

 

[BrooklynBay]

The clockspring makes electrical contact with those "fingers". Don't bother looking for that yellow connector.

 

[92exp4x4]

Ok, I just have never have worked on an airbag system yet. It will make sence when I tear it apart.

Thanks