Please help with airbag light

[Slider1385]

I just had to take my dash apart to replace my heater core and when i put it back together my air bag light came on. I have no idea where to start looking for airbag wires, does anybody know their location? Thanks

 

[wytstang]

Behind the airbags. First you need to find out what code is being flashed at you. Count the flashes (exp.3 flashes 2second pause 2flashes 4second pause that would be code 32). It will countinue to do this so find out what codes being flashed first.

 

[Slider1385]

The light isn't flashing, it just stays on.

 

[wytstang]

This is what I found if you light stay on "Continuous Air Bag Indicator - Diagnostic Trouble Code Timed Out, Diagnostic Monitor Disconnected or Inoperative, or No Ignition Voltage to Diagnostic Monitor." You may have not connected something when you but your air bag back on.

 

[Joe 5.0]

How do you reset the airbag system? Cuz mines been flashing 64 since I bought it in 01, and it is pretty annoying.

 

[94CobraPace]

Here is a site with the air bag codes:
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/airBag/
Under the glove compartment there is a gray plug, pull it out and use a paper clip to short the 2 connectors after the ignition switch has been turned on and the air bag light has gone throught the 1st blinking, short it out, wait till a beep, the remove the paper clip.

 

[Chythar]

I just had to take my dash apart to replace my heater core and when i put it back together my air bag light came on. I have no idea where to start looking for airbag wires, does anybody know their location? Thanks

You may have actually reconnected everything right. Some of the codes indicate "high resistance" on the wire, even though the system is hooked up properly. Some time back, I ended up disconnecting the airbag wire under the dash to check something. Even though I hooked it back up, I got an airbag light. My mechanic said the code indicated "high resistance" on that connector. He cleaned the connector and the light went away.

These connectors are all made of aluminum. Over time, aluminum oxidizes and doesn't conduct electricity as well as it used to. As long as the connector stays together, it's cool. But if you disconnect one and put it back together, chances are the connector won't conduct the same electricity it used to. Most wiring doesn't care, as long as the power flows. But the airbag system has a lot of self-diagnostic tests built in, to make sure the system is working properly. Any perceived fault, and it disables the system to prevent accidental deployment.

If the code tells you "high resistance" on the wire, go get a can of electrical contact cleaner. I got mine from an electronic store that sells resistors, switches and other similar parts. Spray it on both parts of the connector, let it work for a few minutes, then hook it back up.