HELP! My '92 Stang has a blinking airbag light (code 52) and dealer says it needs a clockspring, which Ford no longer makes for that car. He can't locate a part anywhere. Dealer won't, of course, disconnect airbag light (or airbag) but I'm more than willing to DIY the damned thing. It's either that or the car is useless for transportation. Assuming it will be impossible to locate a clockspring, other than from a junkyard, how difficult is it to get the instrumentation cluster out so I can cut one of the leads to the airbag lightbulb? It seems illogical that if it were a '65 Mustang, I could drive without an airbag (they didn't even exist back then) but my '92 needs one to pass state inspection even if it's impossible to repair because parts aren't available. Thanks for any advice.
How easy is it to disconnect/make inoperative bulb for airbag light?
- Thread starter 5.0StangsRule
- Start date
bill302
Active Member
just remove the instrument cluster and remove the bulb its very simple and a haynes manual will show you exactally how to remove it. to do it you remove the upper and lower retaining screws from the trim cover, left and right switch assembly cluster, speedo cable and the wire harness and its out.
I recommend simply using black tape and covering the bulb. THe other guy who said remove the bulb has probably not done that before. If you remove a airbag bulb on a Ford, then a hidden buzzer will sound and not go off. The only way to stop the buzzer, is to locate where it is, and cut the traces to the actual buzzer. Simply place tape over the bulb, and you will be set.
I don't think a non-functioning airbag can fail you since it's a supplimental restraint and not the primary restraint (seat belts)
Then again, i could be wrong
Then again, i could be wrong
I second the piece of electrical tape suggestion. I did the same thing on a '94 Cougar that I had in the past. If you trim the piece of tape up just right with a pair of scissors, you can't even see it, even when you're looking right at the dash (night or day).
Be aware, however, that on a lot of Ford cars, you'll start hearing this obnoxious beeping sound that goes off whenever that little bulb burns out. (Which also means you can't simply pull the cluster and remove the bulb.) So, you might want to replace that bulb with a long-life bulb, or an LED replacement (194 size, IIRC). If you think that blinking is annoying, wait'll you get a steady BEE-BEE-BEE-BEE-BEE while you're driving down the road.
Be aware, however, that on a lot of Ford cars, you'll start hearing this obnoxious beeping sound that goes off whenever that little bulb burns out. (Which also means you can't simply pull the cluster and remove the bulb.) So, you might want to replace that bulb with a long-life bulb, or an LED replacement (194 size, IIRC). If you think that blinking is annoying, wait'll you get a steady BEE-BEE-BEE-BEE-BEE while you're driving down the road.
bennettracing
Founding Member
FYI: If you wish to completely get rid of this problem, remove the airbag light (may or may not be required, but I did it first and found the buzzer problem 
) To get rid of the buzzer, and make the airbags completely inoperable, remove the radio, and there is a black box screwed into the brace under the radio. Remove the plugs to this (I taped up these connections *plug side, not the box* Just to be sure I wouldn't have any contact between pins) and remove the backup battery from above the glovebox. I've actually pulled out all of the airbag system, including the under-hood sensors, all that is left is a little under dash wiring and the airbag itself. I believe the airbag is attached to the plastic of the steering wheel, and would look poopy if actually removed while using the stock steering wheel. This method should remove all signs of an airbag system.
) To get rid of the buzzer, and make the airbags completely inoperable, remove the radio, and there is a black box screwed into the brace under the radio. Remove the plugs to this (I taped up these connections *plug side, not the box* Just to be sure I wouldn't have any contact between pins) and remove the backup battery from above the glovebox. I've actually pulled out all of the airbag system, including the under-hood sensors, all that is left is a little under dash wiring and the airbag itself. I believe the airbag is attached to the plastic of the steering wheel, and would look poopy if actually removed while using the stock steering wheel. This method should remove all signs of an airbag system.
Shakerhood
20+ Year Stangneter 
Code 52 is a Back Up Battery Supply Fault, the Back Up Battery is Located Inside the Blue Box behind the Radio. You can pick up a Diagnostic Monitor (Blue Box) from a 92-93 Mustang and swap it in and your should be good to go.
JCorry1212
New Member
- Jun 20, 2007
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The buzzing isnt that bad its just a series of 5 beeps 5 times in a row when u first start the car and every half hour it does it again. I know cause I removed the bulb myself put the dash all back together and had the buzzing, I didnt know what it was and drove with it doing it for a good 3 or 4 mos. until i got on some of these forums, then i just put a new bulb in and it quit.
If your going to pull the dash to put a new bulb in I say you just spray the bulb a few coats with black spray paint before you put it in the cluster, that way its covered inside the cluster and not on the outside where you can see the piece of tape.
If your going to pull the dash to put a new bulb in I say you just spray the bulb a few coats with black spray paint before you put it in the cluster, that way its covered inside the cluster and not on the outside where you can see the piece of tape.
Shakerhood
20+ Year Stangneter
It seems much easier to just fix the simple problem rather than doing all the Jerry Rigging to cover up the problem.
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