Possible Causes
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Ford Focus. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
An AIR BAG warning light that is continuously illuminated may be caused by damage shorting bar or other electrical connector component, disconnected Restraints Control Module (RCM) module, loss of RCM ground circuit, AIR BAG warning light circuit shorted to ground, damaged battery or ignition circuit, inoperative RCM or AIR BAG warning light circuit open or short to battery.
NOTE:
RCM connector must be fully seated prior to performing the following test. AIR BAG warning light will illuminate if RCM connector is not fully seated.
- Check for hard or intermittent self-test DTC
Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Connect scan tool to Data Link Connector (DLC). See USING SCAN TOOL . Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Retrieve and record any continuous DTCs. See RETRIEVING DTCS under DIAGNOSTICS. Perform on-demand self-test. See ON-DEMAND SELF-TEST under DIAGNOSTICS. If continuous or on-demand DTCs were retrieved, go to diagnostic trouble code identification table for direction to appropriate test. See DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE IDENTIFICATION table. If no DTCs were retrieved, go to next step. - Check circuit for open
Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Access RCM and disconnect harness connector C424. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Access instrument cluster and disconnect harness connector C809. See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Measure resistance between harness side of RCM connector C424, terminal No. 14 and harness side of instrument cluster connector C809, terminal No. 22. (Black/Green wire, circuit No. 91S-JA14). See Figure & Fig 1 . If resistance is less than 5 ohms, go to next step. If resistance is more than 5 ohms, repair open in Black/Green wire. See WIRING DIAGRAMS . Activate air bag system. See ACTIVATING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Clear DTCs. See CLEARING DTCS under DIAGNOSTICS. Perform on-demand self-test. Perform system operation check. See AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . - Check instrument cluster
Reconnect instrument cluster harness connector C809. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Connect fused jumper wire between ground and harness side of RCM connector C424, terminal No. 14 (Black/Green wire). If AIR BAG warning light does not illuminate, diagnose and repair instrument cluster. If AIR BAG warning light illuminates, replace RCM. Activate air bag system. Perform on-demand self-test. Perform system operation check.