air bag warning light

[tery]

I need some help about where to start looking for why I have a blinking air bag light on the dash. I'm not sure about the parts in the system or where they are. Can someone give me some ideas about what to check to see if it is the problem. I understand from the previous owner that there was a mild front end hit, like went up on a curb or something cause the underside of the bumper is a bit mangled underneath and the driver fog light bracket is somewhat bent up... I just want to know where to look for what to check and see if a wire is off or cut or what to figure out why the light never stops blinking.
tks in advance,,,
T

 

[rubydist]

the airbag light blinks out a code just like the cel does - tell us what that is and we can guide you.

btw, there is a thread on here with the codes, iirc.

 

[jimtash]

Same car with the battery problem?

 

[tery]

yes...same car...I'll check the code flashes and report or look it up here, thanks guys!! I'm going to replace the battery cable ***** fix this weeekend and we'll see. It has started fine for two days now...
I gotta clear the cel codes and start from scratch with this car anyway
T

 

[jimtash]

I think they're related for sure.

 

[tery]

The aire bag keep flashing 32 then 32 then 32

Any thoughts on that??

 

[kevinspann]

Code 32...it's for the driver's side airbag. Does the horn and cruise control work?

 

[tery]

Thank you kevin...yes. the horn works fine, in fact it saved my ass the other night, a big ol truck tried to turn right from the left lane and I was sitting there at a light, he couldn't see me, but he heard me about 2 inches before he crushed my front left. I have tried the cruise in that car yet, I'll try it tomorrow after work. Any ideas what to check?? maybe I have a wire unplugged. The former owner was a do it yourselfer, which I am too, but he did things on the cheap, like cutting out the parking brake cable and not replacing it, I guess maybe it was sticking...

 

[tery]

SO..I drove it tonight and the cruise is also working fine, so barring any steering wheel issues, where is the next place to look for a problem that is giving me the 32 air bag drivers side??
tks for any ideas or help

 

[rubydist]

the fact that both the horn and cruise work fine make it much less likely that the clock-spring is the issue. I would swap the airbag with one from another of your collection.

make absolutely certain that you follow the instructions for doing so - if not you can literally take your head off by having the airbag blow in your face.

 

[tery]

Thank you Fred,
I'm not gonna mess with air bags, I knew someone who got hurt bad and am real gunshy of that...so if it not the clock spring, does that mean just a malfunction in the airbag it self?? What if there was just a wire disconnected somewhere, would that send a code?? Where are the sensors at the front of the car that tells the air bags to deploy?? The car at some point was run up on a curb or something case one of the fogs is bend up somewhat and the lowest part of the plastic bumper is creased/dented...like it sat for a day on and edge of something...I just thought that if I knew where the sensors were I could check and see if they were connected, rusted out or even existed in the system...

 

[rubydist]

well, since its telling you its the driver's airbag, messing with the crash sensors is pretty pointless.

the wires/connectors that could be the problem are behind the airbag and plug into the clockspring. unfortunately, you need to remove the airbag to see them.

btw, if you follow the instructions, they will not blow up in your face - you just need to follow the instructions.

 

[kevinspann]

I don't follow instructions and they still haven't blown up in my face. Just don't be stupid.

Disconnect the battery, pop the plug out of each side of the steering wheel, and take out the 2 8mm headed bolts that hold it in, then unplug it. Done.

 

[tompumped]

After I upgraded my steering wheel I had a code 32. Changing to a later model clock spring fixed the problem and I soldered a new connector on the vehicle harness to adapt to the newer clock spring. I'm not sure what year the vehicle is, but if it's a 92 maybe someone changed the wheel.

Every function worked I just had the code 32.

 

[tery]

THank you GUys, It is a 93, stock OEM factory steering wheel, no replacements. So...to be clear, the air bag needs electric power to deploy...I think of it in a fantasy like a mousetrap and if ya touch the wrong part, it blows, but I hear you saying that with no electric, it is just another part, and thank you Fred, I will read more so I know before...

 

[tommyturbo]

probably the blue control module box in the right side cowl/ a pillar accessible through the glove box opening. Same code and issues on my car. Was the control box.

 

[tery]

Hey...thank you TT, How did you find/trace it to that item?? Just curious..
T
...and was replacement easy to get// ford// or was it in aftermarkets