Gen I Air Bag Light - Possibilities?

[SHO Mojo]

Oh wise ones,

My 1991 SHO is displaying the dreaded "six flashes" of the airbag light. The SHOTIMES forum helpfully notes that this is an open circuit in the driver's side air bag circuit. I poked around the forum, and found a detailed procedure from 'sdpatt' on how to clean the contacts and slip ring behind the air bag.

I followed that procedure, and also cleaned the other air bag connections in the steering wheel area. Also checked all the fuses. No luck. Still getting six flashes!!! Arg!!!

Anyone know what else I might look for? Could the air bag module itself fail and give that code?

Thanks for any and all help,

 

[rangerj]

SHO MOJO,

Oh wise ones? Gimme a break! bs

The ole six flashes eh? OK, here what the Helm manual says about six flashes.

The possibilities are 1.) the airbag, 2.) the clockspring, and 3. the wiring to the clockspring, and 4.) the diagnostic monitor (for the airbag) or its circuit (wiring).

The most likely failure is the clockspring. I will walk you through the diagnostic steps if you want. Let me know if that is what you want to do.

I will repeat my usual warning about the airbag. The airbag EXPLODES when it is discharged. The expanding gases from the airbag are super hot and the forces produced are tremendous. It cannot be taken lightly.

Get back to us if you want to try working on it . rangerj

 

[SHO Mojo]

rangerj,

Thanks for the offer...I'll withhold judgement on the wise part! ;-)

In this '91, the clock spring looks like thin "tape" with wire inside...is that the clockspring (I guess I was expecting a literal spring!...silly me )?

I've used sdpatt's procedures to get into and back out of that portion of the system. Should I do a continuity check on that ribbon of wire? I'm open to any and all help you can provide! Thanks!

 

[rangerj]

SHO Mojo,

OK, but a few ground rules first.

When carrying a live airbag make sure the bag and trim cover face AWAY from you. Set the airbag in a safe place with the airbag and cover facing UP. Non of the airbag components can be serviced. Do NOT try.

NEVER PROBE the connectors on the airbag.

All component replacements and wiring repairs must be made with the battery ground AND backup power supply disconnected.

The instructions "DISCONNECT" always refers to a connector. Never detach a component from the vehicle when instructed to disconnect.

To DEACTIVATE the SYSTEM:
1. Disconnect battery ground cable AND BACKUP POWER SUPPLY (behind glovebox)

2. Remove four nut and washer assemblies securing driver airbag to steering wheel

3. disconnect driver airbag connector

4. Attach jumper wire to airbag terminals on clockspring

5. connect backup power supply and battery ground cable. The system is now deactivated and ready for testing.
SIX FLASHES of airbag light - tests
6.1 Checking clockspring
Deactivate air bag system (we just did that!)
Verify air bag lamp while slowly rotating the steering wheel (KOEO)
Does air bag lamp still flash fault code 6 and/or flash intermittently?

YES go to 6.2
NO replace air bag After removing the jumper wire and disconnecting the battery and backup power supply

6.2 disconnect clockspring wiring at the base of the steering column

Place a jumper wire across circuits 614 (GY/O and 615 (PK) of the clockspring connector (see wiring diagrams supplied by Bizzy.

Verify air bag lamp (KOEO) If lamp goes on for 4 to 8 seconds and goes out system is OK. If it flashes the fault code(s) are still there

Does the airbag lamp still flash fault code 6

YES go to 6.3

NO Disconnect battery ground cable and backup power supply. Remove the jumper wire from the clockspring and install a new clockspring. Reconnect system (in the test mode) verify the airbag lamp. If OK, REACTIVATE the system

6.3 Remove jumper wire from the clockspring wire connector

Disconnect diagnostic monitor connectors

Before continuing visually inspect connector to ensure that pin 11 Circuit 614 (GY/O) and pin 10 circuit 615 (GY/W are touching

Attach an ohmmeter to pin 11 Circuit 614 (GY/O) on the monitor wiring connector, and circuit 614 (GY/O) on the clockspring wiring connector

Is the resistance less than 1 ohm

YES Go to 6.4

NO drace the "open" in the circuit and repair it

6.4

Attach an ohmmeter to pin 11 circuit 614(GY/O) on diagnostic monitor connector and to circuit 615 (GY/W) on the clockspring connector

Is the resistance less than 1 ohm?

Yes Install a new diagnostic monitor

NO trace down the "Open" in the circuit and repair.

Reconnect system, reactivate system, verify air bag light.

Again DO NOT TAKE THE AIR BAG LIGHTLY. IT
CAN **** OR INJURE YOU. rangerj

PS I'll follow your progress and provide additional information as requested. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, ASK!!! DO NOT GUESS.

 

[SHO Mojo]

Great instructions, rangerj! I hope to get to this task by the weekend (got to rake leaves this evening), I'll let you know how it goes...and I'll be careful, too.

Thanks again!