Help with airbag code 14. Missing front sensor?

[rallycobra]

I have been trying to help my brother out with the family explorer that has been in multiple small hits front and back. He says the airbags have never gone off, and they appear to be intact.

The airbag light was displaying code 19. The RCM was sent out and unable to be reset, so I was hoping that was the problem. I purchased a used RCM with the exact same model number. After installing, I get a code 14. That should be Front External Crash Sensor Shorted To Ground. Sounds easy enough.

I have an early 2002 explorer and I can NOT find the Front Crash Sensor! I took the grill off and looked in the front of the car. I see the external temp sensor, but no crash sensor. I got under the truck, pulled a faring off and found a center support behind the radiator that looks like the spot I have seen in pictures on the web. I even see two bolt hole that look like they hold the bracket, but there are no wires or crash sensor.

Does anyone know of alternate locations for the front crash sensor? Where do you access it from? Do you stand in front of the vehicle, from under the vehicle? Do you have to pull any of the bubble gum farings off to get to it?

Thanks for any help!

 

[matt0248]

It is located near the ambient air sensor. So if there are empty holes that is where it should be. Most likely the wiring connector has been moved somehwere out of the way and is possible shorted because of pinched wires.