Finding that elusive crash sensor!

[r5ran]

Hi, My first post here, hoping someone can clarify my issue. Last week, the air bag light on my 2003 Mountaineer started flashing a code 42. After searching this forum and others, learned that my front crash sensor is most likely the fault.
My issue, is that I can't find it! (and I have read a few other posts on this, so I am not alone, but most of those writers ended up finding it)..... I have checked every nook and cranny behind every cover, and can't find a thing. I searched for any type of cabling or wiring up there, and the only wiring I can find goes up to the ABS distribution box
In my research I found a few answers....
1- that the code 42 is my front drivers side sensor, located on the left front radiator mount. (but this may be only on early builds, which I think does not apply to my 2003). Again found that mount, and nothing there at all.
2- that there is just a single lower sensor under the radiator, behind a plastic panel. Again, searched and found no sensor or any cabling in that area.
3-Finally, I did find several comments that the sensor is in the front B pillar. I have not checked that yet, thinking it was the front sensor. Is it possible I do not have a front sensor at all and the B pillar sensor is my root cause?
That would explain why I can't find it and I am not a dummy!

thanks in advance for any help, Randy

 

[ccm2001]

Open your hood and look behind the grille & in front of your radiator .
That's were mine was next to the ambient temp sensor. Little black box

 

[Number4]

Did you look at this one? See pic on first page, second from last.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=271927

In this post, the first reply has a picture of the wiring.
http://www.justanswer.com/ford/47wz0-ford-explorer-tell-front-airbag-sensors.html
Looks like its just below the condenser area. Or, in front of the condenser towards the bumper.

 

[swshawaii]

Front Impact Severity Sensor - Removal and Installation
https://www.scribd.com/doc/246880849/Front-Impact-Severity-Sensor-Removal-and-Installation

Side Impact Sensor — First Row, B-Pillar - Removal and Installation
https://www.scribd.com/doc/24688108...2-First-Row-b-Pillar-Removal-and-Installation

Side Impact Sensor — Second Row, C-Pillar - Removal and Installation
https://www.scribd.com/doc/24688111...-Second-Row-c-Pillar-Removal-and-Installation

 

[r5ran]

OK, thank you for your replies.....I decided to get serious, and removed the grill and the panel below it, only to find the ambient temp sensor! Aha! But nothing else near that....then I checked the wiring harness diagram from the next suggestion, only to see the wiring snakes through from the passenger side, not the drivers side as I thought.....
So I removed the panel from below again, and presto!... I now can see the crash sensor mounted on a bracket hanging from the frame, but really hard to access....Bolt is all corroded and sensor is split. So I am confident it is the root cause! thanks to all!

Now, of course, the 2 small bolts holding the bracket on are all rust, and the sensor bolt, too. I initially tried a socket on them, but they are really stuck.
I sprayed some WD-40 on them, then will give them a try later today, when I can disconnect the battery and try something a little beefier on them. They seemed too hard to access to be able to get any heat on the bolts...

One last question...if I get the sensor out, can I leave the connector disconnected and drive the vehicle? (I realize the air bag light will still be on)

Stay tuned and thank you!

 

[ccm2001]

Ya you can . my connector rotted and fell apart . and I still drive it with the light on and disconnected.

 

[r5ran]

OK, after heating, bending, pounding, bleeding (me) and alot of swearing, I finally got the little 6mm bolts out that hold this bracket in. Got a new sensor from the local Ford dealer, ($111 now!), and all is good. No more air bag lights. The connector had a little corrosion but it was $58 (are you kidding me?) so I just cleaned it up instead.
Thanks for the help.