I have a 92 GT that the air bag light has been flashing periodically for awhile air bag code 51. The car is driven maybe once a week so it hasn't been a big concern until now. The air bag module (blue box behind a/c controls) started alarming today until I unplugged it. Is this something that can be replaced? If so, where is the best place to get one besides the junk yard, I want to make sure it works. I would just leave it out but I would like everything to work in the car. Should I diagnose what air bag code 51 is and fix it before replacing the module or will replacing the module fix the code 51 problems. Thanks for your help.
Air Bag Control/Monitor Module
- Thread starter txstang92
- Start date
The module is probably beeping because the light on the dash burned out. Check the bulb first, it'll probably save you some cash.
stang&2Birds
Founding Member
As StangGT1195 said, the beeping is likely due to the bulb being removed or burnt out.
With the above said, you had a code 51 before - a blown internal safety fuse. That's not good news at all! The safety fuse gets blown by the air bag control module for a few reasons. Each reason is because there's a condition that compromises the safety and reliability of the air bag system.
You can get a new control module cheaply. Check Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market. Pretty much every place also ships. However, you'll get THREE ignition turn-on events to find and correct the serious problem(s) in the air bag system before the new air bag controller blows it's internal fuse.
Other than a crash sensor that is always on, finding and fixing the problems can be involved and time consuming. Sometimes, it's because of a shorted wire. That can be hard for people to find.
I'd suggest you might want to try to get a two air bag controllers (save on shipping).
As I said, the air bag monitor is plugged into the car and the battery is connected, you have THREE ignition turn on events before the air bag monitor blows it's internal safety fuse. Once you disconnect the battery and have the module sit disconnected for 5+ mins, you then have another 3 turn on events. There no flash memory in these old modules. Once the module is disconnected from the battery and allowed to sit for 5+ mins, it no longer has any memory of it's past life.
Hope the above helps.
From what I've seen in the forums in the past 8+ years, I've seen a low success rate in fixing these problems. I don't have the time to hand hold to try to debug a specific problem. And, from past experience, if a person doesn't already know how to find a shorted or open wire, all the hand holding in the world from me doesn't help.
Sorry. Wish I could be of more help and more optimistic. However, I don't lie to people. I tell things as they are. If people want to have smoke blown up their *ss about how simple or easy something is, they should go somewhere like the mustangworld forums (is that ***** site still around?).
BTW: I assume that you've seen my web page (done back in the late 90's, looks like it, huh
):
Mustang 1992 Air Bag Diagnostic Codes
If you get an error that isn't on that web page, send me a PM and start the message with "Air Bag help 1992". And, I'll scan the pages and maybe offer some quick suggestions. Like I did in:
http://forums.stangnet.com/770121-airbag-code-31-a.html
Note: In general I do not reply to PMs! Sorry, I just don't have the time.
With the above said, you had a code 51 before - a blown internal safety fuse. That's not good news at all! The safety fuse gets blown by the air bag control module for a few reasons. Each reason is because there's a condition that compromises the safety and reliability of the air bag system.
You can get a new control module cheaply. Check Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market. Pretty much every place also ships. However, you'll get THREE ignition turn-on events to find and correct the serious problem(s) in the air bag system before the new air bag controller blows it's internal fuse.
Other than a crash sensor that is always on, finding and fixing the problems can be involved and time consuming. Sometimes, it's because of a shorted wire. That can be hard for people to find.
I'd suggest you might want to try to get a two air bag controllers (save on shipping).
- Disconnect the battery for 1+ mins,
- Plug the first air bag controller in.
- Connect up battery.
- Turn the ignition on and MAKE SURE you see the error code(s).
- Disconnect the battery for 1+ mins,
- REMOVE the new air bag controller.
- FIX the errors and verify with DVM/VOM/multimeter
- Plug the first air bag controller in.
- Connect up battery.
- Turn the ignition on and see if there are any error codes, If there are error codes, then REPEAT THE ABOVE!
As I said, the air bag monitor is plugged into the car and the battery is connected, you have THREE ignition turn on events before the air bag monitor blows it's internal safety fuse. Once you disconnect the battery and have the module sit disconnected for 5+ mins, you then have another 3 turn on events. There no flash memory in these old modules. Once the module is disconnected from the battery and allowed to sit for 5+ mins, it no longer has any memory of it's past life.
Hope the above helps.
From what I've seen in the forums in the past 8+ years, I've seen a low success rate in fixing these problems. I don't have the time to hand hold to try to debug a specific problem. And, from past experience, if a person doesn't already know how to find a shorted or open wire, all the hand holding in the world from me doesn't help.
Sorry. Wish I could be of more help and more optimistic. However, I don't lie to people. I tell things as they are. If people want to have smoke blown up their *ss about how simple or easy something is, they should go somewhere like the mustangworld forums (is that ***** site still around?).
BTW: I assume that you've seen my web page (done back in the late 90's, looks like it, huh
):Mustang 1992 Air Bag Diagnostic Codes
If you get an error that isn't on that web page, send me a PM and start the message with "Air Bag help 1992". And, I'll scan the pages and maybe offer some quick suggestions. Like I did in:
http://forums.stangnet.com/770121-airbag-code-31-a.html
Note: In general I do not reply to PMs! Sorry, I just don't have the time.
HELP!! stang&2Birds WHERE ARE YOU?
Should be a simple fix.
A code 52 (intermittent or restored battery power) dash light on a 1995 GT Convertible automatic with only 57,000 original miles (I am the original owner) actually even makes sense since the car has always been a third car and sometimes sits for several months, killing batteries every 5 years or so, mostly in winter.
So some kind of battery power loss type memory code is no big surprise.
But the car not ony never had any accidents, it actually never even hit a pothole and drives like new, so the fact that it is an "air bag" flashing memory code light really annoys me a lot.
I flashes 5 then 2 about three times then the airbag light just stays on steadily while driving.
It has been doing that for about 10 years with no effect on the running of the car and now I am ready to fix it.
I am in East Haven Connecticut and am happy I found some nice airbag module reset people in Texas who say they can wipe out a "52" of I send them the module.
But I have no idea where the module is and I cant believe there is no cheaper easier way locally.
I HATE going to any dealer with ANY perfect 10 year+ older car because they just seem insulting and irreverent and dedicated to costliness for no reason. (I also have a '94 Camaro Z28 automatic with 77,000 miles that is also accident/pothole free and Mint except for some oxidation in places where the paint seems slightly faded.)
Dealers have even made me cry on that one.
I will drive to Massaachusetts and even stay at a hotel overnight if you can only recommend someone there as the closest electronics specialist.
PLEASE HELP!
Should be a simple fix.
A code 52 (intermittent or restored battery power) dash light on a 1995 GT Convertible automatic with only 57,000 original miles (I am the original owner) actually even makes sense since the car has always been a third car and sometimes sits for several months, killing batteries every 5 years or so, mostly in winter.
So some kind of battery power loss type memory code is no big surprise.
But the car not ony never had any accidents, it actually never even hit a pothole and drives like new, so the fact that it is an "air bag" flashing memory code light really annoys me a lot.
I flashes 5 then 2 about three times then the airbag light just stays on steadily while driving.
It has been doing that for about 10 years with no effect on the running of the car and now I am ready to fix it.
I am in East Haven Connecticut and am happy I found some nice airbag module reset people in Texas who say they can wipe out a "52" of I send them the module.
But I have no idea where the module is and I cant believe there is no cheaper easier way locally.
I HATE going to any dealer with ANY perfect 10 year+ older car because they just seem insulting and irreverent and dedicated to costliness for no reason. (I also have a '94 Camaro Z28 automatic with 77,000 miles that is also accident/pothole free and Mint except for some oxidation in places where the paint seems slightly faded.)
Dealers have even made me cry on that one.
I will drive to Massaachusetts and even stay at a hotel overnight if you can only recommend someone there as the closest electronics specialist.
PLEASE HELP!
stang&2Birds
Founding Member
Hi!
Yea, 94 and 95 Stangs have different air bag diag modules than the Fox cars. If the battery is disconnected, and the air bag module's large storage capacitor (it's "battery backup") losses charge, then the air bag module complains. IMHO, stupid design choice!
Thankfully, it's simple to reset the "battery lost" error. Under your dash, under the glove compartment, there's a special connector to reset the air bag battery lost error.
If you can, I'd appreciate some decent pictures of the connector and it's location. No big deal if you can't though.
Check out:
Mustang 1995 Air Bag Diagnostic Codes
Mustang 1995 Air Bag Diagnostic - Code Clearing
Good Luck!
Stang&2birds FAST RESCUE!
HI!!!
Thanks so much for the fast and VERY helpful reply... except that you assume my mechanic will risk believing you.
I think he has airbag paranoia and is afraid to do anything other than remove the module and give it to me so I can ship it to Texas to be cleared.
How about if I drive to you, Stang&2birds, and pay YOU to do it?
Well, at least next week I am going to the dealer with a printout of your clear procedure and will point out the ease you noted and see what they say.
I will also take a pic of the magic clearer connector glovebox gizmo if they will show it to me, assuming they care enough to remember back to 1994-5 to find it.
Sobsob tears are already forming.
Seems nobody loves my beautiful mint convertible but me and you.
HI!!!
Thanks so much for the fast and VERY helpful reply... except that you assume my mechanic will risk believing you.
I think he has airbag paranoia and is afraid to do anything other than remove the module and give it to me so I can ship it to Texas to be cleared.
How about if I drive to you, Stang&2birds, and pay YOU to do it?
Well, at least next week I am going to the dealer with a printout of your clear procedure and will point out the ease you noted and see what they say.
I will also take a pic of the magic clearer connector glovebox gizmo if they will show it to me, assuming they care enough to remember back to 1994-5 to find it.
Sobsob tears are already forming.
Seems nobody loves my beautiful mint convertible but me and you.
stang&2Birds
Founding Member
Hi.
Did you take the car to a Ford dealer? It foolish that the first thing they would want to do is to replace the air bag diag module. Any dealer, or mechanic, is very familiar with the need to reset air bag modules (in many different makes/models of vehicles) when the battery has been disconnected.
It may be a very inexperienced mechanic. Or, they may be trying to make you pay for unnecessary expensive repairs.
It's "possible" that they did a module reset, and the module still reported an error. In that case, the storage capacitor would have gone bad. That happens very rarely, but it does happen.
If you don't want to do it yourself, or can't, then your best bet is to take the car to a Ford Dealer, or even a half decent local mechanic.
I working long hours now trying again to meet an impossible deadline. What else is new? Unless your active or retired military (or an independent consultant like me ), you won't be able to get onto Hanscom AFB (where I work). Otherwise, I would gladly do the reset during lunch and show you how.
Did you take the car to a Ford dealer? It foolish that the first thing they would want to do is to replace the air bag diag module. Any dealer, or mechanic, is very familiar with the need to reset air bag modules (in many different makes/models of vehicles) when the battery has been disconnected.
It may be a very inexperienced mechanic. Or, they may be trying to make you pay for unnecessary expensive repairs.
It's "possible" that they did a module reset, and the module still reported an error. In that case, the storage capacitor would have gone bad. That happens very rarely, but it does happen.
If you don't want to do it yourself, or can't, then your best bet is to take the car to a Ford Dealer, or even a half decent local mechanic.
I working long hours now trying again to meet an impossible deadline. What else is new?
Unless your active or retired military (or an independent consultant like me ), you won't be able to get onto Hanscom AFB (where I work). Otherwise, I would gladly do the reset during lunch and show you how.
jaketuff
Member
I can't find the RESET CONNECTOR... here is what I see...
View attachment 130157
And....
View attachment 130161
The second is underneath the glovebox. Can anyone see the airbag wiring. Also I have a module right behind the dash between the air vents (underneath the Mustang pony) that is blue. What is that?
Please help want to get her inspected and need to reset a Code 10 Airbag Light.
THANKS
View attachment 130157
And....
View attachment 130161
The second is underneath the glovebox. Can anyone see the airbag wiring. Also I have a module right behind the dash between the air vents (underneath the Mustang pony) that is blue. What is that?
Please help want to get her inspected and need to reset a Code 10 Airbag Light.
THANKS
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