Does anyone have a good source for info on airbag trouble codes. Mine appears to be flashing 33. Which is an open circuit on the passenger side airbag, 90's are not equipped with a passenger side airbag.
Thanks in advance.
A 90 Air bag diagnostic monitor has single-digit error codes (not counting error code #10).
So, that means you have:
An error code of #3 - Air Bag Deployment Circuit - Low Battery Voltage or Low Backup Power Supply Voltage.
It's likely that the very old back up air bag battery has finally lost it's ability to store a charge. The newer systems use a capacitor or a "super-capacitor".
NOTE: BEFORE ANY AIR BAG SYSTEM REPAIR is attempted:
1) Disconnect the battery
2) Push on the brake pedal to help drain any stored charge
3) Wait 5 mins.
So, there are a few options.
1) Try to get another backup battery from an old Ford. If you can find one that still works, realize that it too will likely fail in a "few" years. But, you "might" get another 5 or 10 years from the battery.
NOTE the following options ALL VIOLATE FEDERAL LAW AND IF YOU EVER SELL THE CAR OR ANOTHER DRIVER IS IN THE CAR AND GETS INJURED IN A CRASH, YOU COULD EASILY BE SCREWED FOR ALL YOUR WORTH BY EVEN THE DUMBEST LAWYER!
AGAIN: It VIOLATES FEDERAL, and many STATE, LAWS TO MODIFY, IN ANY WAY, AN SRS (e.g. air bag) system!!
2) Simplest: As long as you don't care about having an air bag system if all of the battery power is lost before a crash (IMHO, very very unlikely), Then: Remove the bad air bag battery back battery (see diagram for location), and connect the two wires together.
3) Get a super-cap that is rated for use in automotive systems, and replace the bad air bag battery backup with a super-cap (~$20). Splice in the wires as needed. This gives back the functionality of having an air bag in case the battery voltage is lost right before a crash. I guess if a transformer comes to life, grabs your car by the hood, takes the battery and alternator, and drops the car, then it would be good to have that functionality.
Last: Note I am NOT a lawyer, nor have any degrees or courses in law!
From what information was easily found on the interweb, and after many forum "discussions" (LOL ), it seems that Federal Law does not prohibit the owner and sole driver of the car from making mods to an SRS system. Still, if someone stole the car and got injured, the owner would be sued and mega screwed.
From what I've quickly seen, most State Laws prohibit any mods regardless of who did them and the use of the car (such as a track only car).
Thanks Stangs & 2 Birds (sounds like an old Indian name ), bummer, I'm fixing this car to sell it. I better fix it right. looks like I got my work gut our for me. I'll check voltage at terminals 13 & 14 and go from there.
Thanks Stangs & 2 Birds (sounds like an old Indian name ), bummer, I'm fixing this car to sell it. I better fix it right. looks like I got my work gut our for me. I'll check voltage at terminals 13 & 14 and go from there.
If you're selling it, then do it the easy and "right way", get another battery from the junkyard. Ford used them for a few years in a number of models. As long as you get one that lasts long enough, you're all set and legally safe and all set.
As I said, a battery from the junkyard may last 1 week, or 10 years. There are many factors and no way for knowing for sure.
A code 52 could be caused by a bad wire. But, (unless someone has screwed around with the wires), it's more likely to be caused by the internal boost/backup circuit going bad. Capacitors fail over time for a number of reasons. Other than IC ("chips"), capacitors have the highest failure rate from normal use/wear.
Stang&2birds I am getting a code 12 flash on airbag light. Your flowchart indicates lack of battery voltage to firing circuit. This is an SSP so not sure if something is just unplugged. My horn works, so would you suspect clockspring or something else. Thanks.