Stupid airbag light...

[BlownFiveLiter]

Ok, so today I decided to actually pay attention to my airbag light, and it's flashing code 42 "LH Radiator Primary Crash Sensor Feed/Return Circuit Open." Wtf does that mean, that i have a short in the harness somewhere, or the sensor is bad? I can't get it to clear using the procedure at http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/airBag/airBag95.html either, so I guess I gotta deal with it? It's been on for over a year now, I've just paid it no mind until today for some odd reason. Now it just has me Any ideas what the heck is wrong with it? I already searched, and found nothing for a code 42 either, so I wasn't able to find a fix for it without asking.

 

[bimmertech]

Take Out The Bulb!!!!!!!!!

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

haha... I could, but I sorta like the idea of having the bags work, if they ever feel the need to be tested by something hitting my front end kinda hard.

 

[1TRIKGT]

sorry off topic but my air bag light has been on for the last week since I removed the fuse to be used for my radio and now even though I replaced it the light is still turning on anyone know why? or what I can do

 

[1TRIKGT]

and by the way my two cents is that the relay is stuck open on your car stanggt so I would find the sensor on the left side of the radiator and change it out.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

Try the link in my first post, it has tons of stuff regarding codes, and how to reset them. Unfortunately for me, it won't reset.

 

[RIO5.0]

Matt...Post this up in the 5.0 tech forum...I know one of the guys over there is pretty sharp on the ABS stuff....Read some before...
I got a light thats been on 2 yrs since I swapped H/C/I....
I wanna say stang2birds is his name??? Someones got a site with alot of info on this....

 

[HISSIN50]

Matt...Post this up in the 5.0 tech forum...I know one of the guys over there is pretty sharp on the ABS stuff....Read some before...
I got a light thats been on 2 yrs since I swapped H/C/I....
I wanna say stang2birds is his name??? Someones got a site with alot of info on this....

Andy, veryuseful.com is S+2B's site. He mostly posts on the Corral though.

I agree that taking a quick peek at the LH crash sensor wiring harness is a good idea. If the sensor is moved or loses ground, it trips an 85 . So this does sound like a wiring/control issue. The wiring harness to that sensor gets kind of mutilated and convulated as it travels through the rad support.

On the 5.0 tech side, Andy is right - a couple of the guys with 93's (or who are dealer techs) are real good with the air bag codes. Saleen06XX is one of them. Some of those guys dont post often - worst case if they dont post, search old air bag threads over there (there are not that many) and PM one of the guys who posted good info.

Good luck.

 

[mackey]

It means your Drivers side airbag sensor isn't working correctly. Look at it mounted to the front near the radiator. First you should unbolt it and clean that and the paint up. It works as a ground so that could cause a problem. You might also find that it has rusted through with time and you will need a new sensor.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

I took it off and did a visual inspection. Looks like there's a good amount of rust around the edge of the rubber underneath, right where the wires go in. Looks like I'll check into replacing it. Hopefully, it's not expensive!

 

[SeventyMach1]

sorry off topic but my air bag light has been on for the last week since I removed the fuse to be used for my radio and now even though I replaced it the light is still turning on anyone know why? or what I can do

Did you try resetting the airbag computer yet?




Matt, I read somewhere that codes under 50 (? or somewhere around there?) cannot be cleared without the problem being fixed first. So, your's being code 42, you have to fix it first. That's why the "technique from the website" didn't work. I'd look into replacing the LH sensor/harness...... then clear the code.

 

[mytight95]

hey man, i have one of those things...... give me a few bucks for it and i will send it......



jason

 

[Rootus]

It was once pointed out to me by a Ford tech that the biggest risk with the airbag system malfunctioning is not that the airbags won't deploy properly, but that they might deploy accidentally.

But on the other hand, a buddy of mine had repeated problems with his airbag system (all fixed under warranty), and when he finally needed them, they deployed about 2 seconds too late. Ouch. So maybe the Ford tech lies.

Either way, I don't think I'd just unscrew the bulb .

Dave

 

[Methodical]

Replace the sensor. You can find one at the junk yard for free. They are the same for all V6, GTs or Cobras (94-98). Before replaceing disconnect the battery for at least 2 minutes. When you replace and reconnect, you can then clear the code using the plug just under the glove box. You can not clear the code until it's fixed. Peace

 

[94CobraPace]

I had one of those codes, 44 left side. I disconnected the battery, cleaned the mounting surfaces & reinstall then reset the air bag using the paper clip. Fixed the light. Might try that before getting a sensor.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

It actually wasn't dirty or rusty behind the sensor or on the bolts that attach it, so I'm just gonna try to get a sensor for next to nothing and see if it makes any difference? It couldn't hurt anything to replace it I suppose...

 

[yellowstang1994]

If you guys want my 2 cents here it is. My air bag light has been on for a while now, I think code 81. The dealer won't work on my car because of the off-road pipe. I tried everything and I just gave up, took the bulb out and fuse. But think about it for a second. Do you really want the bags to blow in an accident anyway? Almost any mild accident can total our cars. The KBB on mine is like $4300 I think. I work in a bodyshop so I have a little bit of an idea what work costs. But my point being is save your self the burn marks. If your bags blow it WILL total your car. If you decide to fix it your self after you buy it back your gonna have a reconstructed title. So either way it's a lose-lose situation. If you leave your airbags disconnected your car might have a chance being fixed on your deductable. I survived being broadsided at 80 with no airbags. I think i'll survive without em again. Just my 2 cents.

 

[mytight95]

broadsided and head on at that same speed are two completely different things trust me, the airbags will help a lot more in a head on collision..


jason

 

[94CobraPace]

I understand what you are saying yellowstang1994, but I value my safety & air bags save lives. If it is a bad enough accident, then I would rather the air bags go off & save my as$. This would work out if it was a low speed accident. I'm would rather not take that chance myself.