why is my air bag light blinking?

[BradE.]

Where did you get your scanner?

I am thinking of upgrading from AutoXray. The AutoXray is O.K., but it does not do many functions that I want, and even the new software version still does not work correctly with some Ford O2 tests I have been looking at the Snap-On MT2500. It's mega expensive though, and the software is a small fortune.

EDIT: Nevermind. I just found their site, it requires a laptop or Palm. I want a self containted unit.

 

[MONMIX]

Originally posted by Robert


The bad thing about Ford's SRS computer is it will not clear the code until it has seen 256 clear startups.

I don't beleve that is true. I put a pair of bags and a module in Focous two months ago. When it ran it's test it threw a code. A call to Ford , and I found out it had detonation seat belts. I put two new belts in and the light went out and stayed out.

It's nice to know the 256 trick though.

 

[Agent_51]

My 00 has been doing this lately too.

Its annoying but its still under warranty so when i get time ill take it in. If i can remember ill count the codes and post here.

 

[Adam Foote]

ok i work at a dodge dealership... and i overheard this the otherday...

A service advisor was telling our customer that her airbag light was flashing and asked her if she knew what this meant... the lady said no and he informed her that it means there is a problem with her airbag and it may not deploy in the event of an accident... he went on to tell her that it was a saftey issue of him warning her.. almost like we would be liable... but thats just what i heard...

 

[Robert]

Originally posted by MONMIX


I don't beleve that is true. I put a pair of bags and a module in Focous two months ago. When it ran it's test it threw a code. A call to Ford , and I found out it had detonation seat belts. I put two new belts in and the light went out and stayed out.

It's nice to know the 256 trick though.

It is on my '97 Explorer. I even went so far as to open up my SRS computer to see if there was a large capacitor storing the fault I caused and there wasn't one. The first time I set it off when I pulled the air-bag fuse, I took it to Ford and told them I found the fuse loose under the hood. They hooked their NGS tester up to it and cleared it in the parking lot. When I did the same thing a couple of years ago, the only way I could get the light to clear was by turning my key on and off 256 times after I put the fuse back in. If you still don't think it is correct, pull the air-bag fuse out in the small fuse box under your hood (by the master cylinder). Start it up and wait until the air-bag light starts flashing. Put the fuse back in now and then restart it. Tell me what you end up doing to clear the light. From my '97 Ford Service CD:

"Retrieve/Clear Continuous DTCs

During vehicle operation the air bag diagnostic monitor will detect and store both intermittent and hard failure codes in non-volatile memory. The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) strategy employed by the air bag diagnostic monitor incorporates a time-out scheme for determining when a fault exists in the system. This requires a fault to exist for up to one minute in the system before the air bag diagnostic monitor will detect it.

For the air bag diagnostic monitor to determine that a fault no longer exists requires that the fault is absent for up to one minute. The actual fault detection time-outs vary with DTC. The codes can be retrieved by the service technician with the New Generation STAR (NGS) Tester 007-00500 or equivalent using the RETRIEVE/CLEAR CONTINUOUS DTCs option. Any fault codes stored in the air bag diagnostic monitor will be displayed on the NGS along with a brief description of the fault. If no codes are present, the NGS Tester will display a SYSTEM PASSED message. This option can also be used to clear DTCs from the air bag diagnostic monitor memory, as long as the fault no longer exists. Once a fault code is logged in the air bag diagnostic monitor memory, it will stay in memory until 255 key cycles have been recorded or until the NGS is used to erase the codes. Once 256 key cycles have been recorded since the fault was last detected, the DTC will automatically be removed from memory. "

 

[Krzyboy2o]

check this out..tuesday and wednesday the light disappeared. it got me confused because i havent started my car 256 times, and yet i havent done anything to fix the problem. so i thought it cleared it self. Wrong! just this morning the light came back on. still blinking in the 3-7 pattern. why did it stop for 2 days and then start up again?

oh yah.. i've been wanting to ask.. what are the chances of an airbag deploying automatically without being in an accident? is that possible?

thanks again guys for te posting!

well today i'll be heading to the dealer where i bought my car. my car is under the "extra care warranty" but that covers only specific parts and labor. does anyone know if that warranty is covers the $200 diagnostic check? from what they said when i called them, is that they're gona need a "deposit" before they can "put a finger on my car". is that how the business works? geez! shoulda gotten an import! haha JUST KIDDING!

 

[Robert]

The Service CD doesn't say the light will stay on for 255 cycles, only that the code will stay in memory. Now when I pulled my air-bag fuse and started it up, my light came on. I shut everything off and put the fuse back in. When I started it back up, the light was still on. The only way I could get the light to go off was by turning the key from off to on 256 times. Keep in mind this is from my '97 Service CD. Your '99 may behave differently. Maybe Ford lets the light shut off if the problem appears to be corrected, however the code should still stay in memory for 255 cycles.

 

[Agent_51]

Yeah the way teh light works is wierd. Sometimes ill start it up and it wont come on at all, but then next time it will. Also i went on a 600 mile road trip this last weekend and it didnt come on untill 250 miles into it.

Once i have some time ill take it in to ford.

 

[MONMIX]

Robert,
All I know is what I have experianced. Possibly the differance was I had put in a new module. I don't know.
I had a code put in two new belts and the code was gone. Not that it matters but pre 2000 Saturns do not need a code turned off either. ( our shop is a DRP for Saturn )
Oh to answer your question Krzyboy , yes with an air bag warning light a bag is MORE likely to go off with out cause ,that not in that mode.

 

[Robert]

Here is the airbag operation from my '97 Service CD (the answer to your question is towards the bottom in bold):

Description and Operation

PURPOSE
Performing system diagnostics is the main purpose of the air bag diagnostic monitor.

The air bag diagnostic monitor continually monitors all air bag system components and wiring connections for possible faults when the ignition switch is in RUN position.

OPERATION
It does not deploy the air bags in the event of a collision. The air bag diagnostic monitor operates in the following manner:


If the air bag diagnostic monitor detects a fault in the air bag system, a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) will be written to the air bag diagnostic monitor's Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM) .
This DTC will then be displayed on the air bag indicator lamp.
After servicing, the DTC may then be cleared from NVRAM.
AIR BAG SYSTEM FUNCTIONS
Other important features of the air bag diagnostic monitor and its functions within the system are described below. It is necessary that these key features and functions are well understood.



The air bag diagnostic monitor illuminates the air bag indicator for approximately six seconds when the ignition switch is in the RUN position and then turns the indicator off. This shows that the air bag indicator is operational. If the air bag indicator does not illuminate or the indicator stays on or flashes at any time, a fault has been detected by the air bag diagnostic monitor.
DTCs may not be displayed for approximately 30 seconds after the ignition switch is placed in the RUN position. This is the amount of time the air bag diagnostic monitor requires to perform all tests and verify system faults, if present.
Each diagnostic trouble code (a series of flashes and pauses of the air bag indicator) represents a two digit number. Each diagnostic trouble code is always displayed at least twice. For example, a diagnostic trouble code 32 is displayed as three flashes, followed by a one second pause, then two flashes, followed by a three second pause.
If a system fault is present and the air bag indicator is malfunctioning, an audible tone will be heard, indicating that system service is required.
CAUTION: The thermal fuse does not blow (open) because of excessive current flowing through it. Do not attempt to jumper out the thermal fuse with a circuit breaker or any other type of fuse.



If a fault exists that makes unwanted air bag deployment possible, the air bag diagnostic monitor will attempt to remove deployment power by turning on a solid state switch to blow the 10A battery fuse 2.
If the 10 A battery fuse has successfully been blown by the air bag diagnostic monitor, the air bag diagnostic monitor will not attempt to blow it again until the proper fault has been repaired and cleared (see Diagnostic Trouble Code Clearing procedures for details). The air bag diagnostic monitor will store both the unwanted deployment DTC and the loss of deployment power DTC. The loss of deployment power DTC is the highest priority.
Diagnostic trouble codes are prioritized numerically so if two or more different faults occur at the same time, the fault having the highest priority will be displayed first. After that fault has been corrected, the next highest priority fault will be displayed.
The air bag diagnostic monitor includes an internal backup power supply. This feature provides sufficient backup power to deploy the air bag in the event that the battery or battery cables are damaged in an accident before the center air bag and front air bag sensors close. The backup power supply will deplete its stored energy approximately one minute after the positive battery cable is disconnected.

 

[X24]

When you start your truck, how long does your light stay on for? Mine stays on about 4 or 5 seconds after all the other idiot lights go out. Today I went out and started it up to let it warm up. 5 minutes later I went out to leave and I noticed the airbag light was on. I shut the truck off and turned it right back on and it turned off about 4 or 5 seconds after all the other lights went off. Any ideas?

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Krzyboy, I see that this is an old post. How did the solution turn out?

My 2000 FSM lists the code 37 as being related to the passenger side airbag circuit. It says the circuit can be shorted to ground, or high/low circuit resistance.

98Ford, my light goes off immediately after the engine starts (00 model). Maybe yours staying on had something to do with the seatbelts not being buckled???

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

98Ford, I remember reading something about "smart" airbags, that sensed the vehicle occupant's weight and adjusted the airbag deployment force accordingly. Maybe the light stayed on because no one was seated in the driver's seat? I don't know if it was available in 98; I'm just guessing.....

 

[MONMIX]

Originally posted by Runnin'OnEmpty
Maybe yours staying on had something to do with the seatbelts not being buckled???

No , the air bag light is only triggered by air bag related situations , or detonating seatbelts , which don't need to be fastened. I don't even know if Explorers come with detonating seat belts.

 

[X24]

Doubt it. Ive started it and let it run before and its never happened. Good idea tho.

 

[X24]

What are detonating seatbelts?

 

[MONMIX]

They have these " jaws " inside the seat belt retractor that in a collision grab your seat belt and poll it snug.
The mechnism that does that , like the air bags work off of an explosive device so once it " goes off , you have got to replace them. Ford Focous has them as well as Honda and many German cars.

 

[X24]

It would be better if they had something like that but wasnt so sudden. That would give you whiplash. If they put those jaws on springs or something that would give an inch or so of flex I think it would be safer. Having a seatbelt pull back on you full force can hurt.

 

[MONMIX]

Nah , it doesn't PULL you back it just snugs ya know.
Accidents happen in split second timing. Your restraints need to be the same way.

 

[scorgnetic]

I just started getting a flashing 37 and was wondering if anyone has found the solution to this code yet?

Thanks
Randy