Air bag light is blinking

[caseyc]

Yesterday for the first time, the dashboard of my 1995 Ford E150 van started flashing a yellow light for the air bags. It would blink several times in a row, then stop. Then do so again. I didn't get into any crashes or bump anything. Why would the air bag warning light come on?? :huh:

 

[Zil]

That could be a dangerous thing. Or it could mean your air bag is disabled. I would not want the air bag firing while I was driving. Get it checked or pull the fuse.

 

[Reducto]

The number of blinks is probably a code pointing to a fault somewhere. Sensors wear out, wires come loose, etc and the system checks for these things. There should be enough checks in the system that it won't go off unnecessarily, instead it would probably just not go off at all even in an accident. Google the code to see what the problem is then call around to see how much it will cost to fix.

 

[Zil]

Yes. It probably will not go off.

 

[caseyc]

Small update here. I spoke to a Ford service tech person yesterday. He said the air bag will not deploy while driving. But most likely the air bag is not working while it's blinking. I have noticed a distinct pattern. There are 5 blinks of the air bag light, then a pause for a couple seconds, then 1 more blink. Then a pause of several seconds, then the process repeats itself over and over.

The reason I hesitate to go to the Ford dealer to check it out is for the same reason the Ford dealer couldn't figure out why my ABS light keeps blinking. A year ago the Ford repair center told me they couldn't determine why the ABS brake light stays lit because they no longer stock the older style diagnostic tool that can hook up to the van to give the diagnostic codes.

Apparently, any vehicle from 1995 and earlier requires the older diagnostic tool, and no Ford repair center had the right tool within a 200 mile radius. Unbelievable. That's why I'm guessing the Ford service dept will tell me the same thing about the air bag light blinking. I also called a trusted Chevron repair station, and the Chevron mechanic told me they don't work on air bags, so that's too bad. I don't know why it's so hard sometimes to figure out why the heck something is blinking, haha!

 

[Lucky mike]

Stop at any major parts store....they all do a free computer read.......save your story for after they do it....thats the only reason they have for excuses. if you go in with self diagnostics you will pay for exactly what you told them to do.....not what you needed done....let them figure out the problem

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Take Mike's advice. Get the code read. Its possible its a simple sensor swap.

 

[caseyc]

What is a good major parts store? Suggestions?

 

[Lucky mike]

Auto Zone does them for free

 

[[email protected]]

As far as free goes the parts stores will only be able to do OBD2 (96 and newer) reads as well. You need an OBD1....

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It is true obd1 scanners are not common.

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As far as i remember. The light blinks are actually the code. 5 blinks pause( first number is 5) 1 blink(second number is 1)

Code 51.

Go to google type in year make model and the code 51

Ex. 1993 ford e150 code 51

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I just did it, looks like you may need to replace the air bag module located on passenger side under dash due to a non servicable fuse within the module.

I suggest researching though. This is what i came up with from limited information.

 

[caseyc]

Thank you much Chrebet! I did a Google search on that and found the following link. Also copied below the text from the post. Dang! That's a lot of steps for any intrepid do-it-yourselfer! This falls under the category of: There's Always Something! :dodgy:

http://forums.probetalk.com/showthread.php?t=1701278739

HOW TO GUIDE: Airbag Code #51 Fix w/ pics

Ok, I got so sick of the airbag light flashing and was set, bound, and determined to fix it. I scoured PT for hours trying to find a fix. Finally, I found the part number for the new fuse, but not a "how to" guide or anything, just a "solder it in and your good to go" With that in mind, I decided to take pics as I went through this fix and write up a how-to for the next person that needs this fix.

I have done this 4 times now, and each time it has been successful!

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any malfuntions that you cause while attempting to fix this. You are conducting this at your own risk!

*Be sure that before you do this fix, you check all your connections to and from your airbag computer. Check to see if any of the outside sensors have been tripped or wires snipped or grounding. If they are and you do this fix, the minute you plug it in and turn the car on, the fuse will blow. Make sure this is the only code you are getting!

If your airbag code is blinking, and you get 51, it means that your internal thermal fuse in your airbag computer is blown which is caused by an intermittant short to ground on one of the wires in the circuit. When the short to the ground is removed, code 51 flashes with the use of the airbag warning lamp, 5 flashes, pause, 1 flash, longer pause. According to the ford bible, this is a nonrepairable fix....until now!

Tools required:
- screwdriver
- low temp soldering iron
- de-soldering tip
- aluminum spring thing to take heat away from new thermal fuse
- new thermal fuse

ok, now you have all the parts probably except for the thermal fuse. YOU WILL NOT FIND THIS AT RAIDOSHACK! I searched and searched, no luck. Just google it and youll get an electronics parts store online who carries them. I picked up three fuses for a total of $6.00 shipped to my door in three days. Cant go wrong there! The fuse number your looking for is NTE8167C or just 167C

1.Now go underneath your steering column and locate the airbag computer. Its a blue box and looks like this
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...g/100_0769.jpg
Using your screedriver, use to to pry it out of the three mounting tabs seen at the top.

2.Now that you got it out, take it out and go to the kitchen table
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...g/100_0768.jpg

3.Using the screwdriver again, split the case
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...g/100_0766.jpg

4.Next, search the airbag computer til you find this fuse
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...g/100_0758.jpg

5.Here comes the fun technical part: Flip the board over, locate the pins for the old fuse, and desolder them
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...g/100_0759.jpg
(what I did was count them, then with a sharpy, marked the two pins)

6.Your board should look like this
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...g/100_0760.jpg

7.Now get your new fuse out. Here is a comparison of the fuses. Notice how much beefier the new one is, but dont worry, itll still work the same as the old one!
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...g/100_0761.jpg

8.Now bend the ends of the new fuse to match the contouring of the old fuse. Snip the excess ends, and "drop" in the new fuse into the board.

**THE NEXT STEPS THE MOST CRUCIAL AND CRITICAL!**

Remeber before how I said you were going to need the aluminum spring thing. Well here is where it come in handy. The thermal fuse will POP/BLOW if you dont use it when you solder it in.

9.Now, make sure the new fuse rests on and touchs the resister. It WILL NOT work if it doesnt (trust me)
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...g/100_0763.jpg

10.Now, with that aluminum spring thing, clamp the fuse to the resister
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...g/100_0765.jpg

11.Flip the board and start soldering
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...g/100_0764.jpg

12.Get one done, move the aluminum spring thing over to the other side, clamp it and solder

13.When both ends are soldered, your board should look like this
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...g/100_0767.jpg

14.Now place the board back into the case and snap the housing together.

15.Go to your car and plug it in and test. You should now have no more flashing/blinking airbag light (well code 51 at least, you may have other issues first)

16.REJOICE and have a beer!

*Side note, the casing that covers the fuse will NOT fit back on the new fuse. I will post a picture of what the fuse looks like as soon as I find the picture on my memory card and will update the post immediatly!

**I will host these pictures as long as I have my photobucket account!!!**

Go to google type in year make model and the code 51
Ex. 1993 ford e150 code 51

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I just did it, looks like you may need to replace the air bag module located on passenger side under dash due to a non servicable fuse within the module.

I suggest researching though. This is what i came up with from limited information.

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[[email protected]]

Yea, looks like the root of the problem is a bad ground. I hate tracing electrical problems especially if its a short or wire, so I dont have much advice on that, other than finding that first. After that, replacing the whole module wouldnt be too hard, but the part is expensie, probly 200 or so plus core charge id imagine.

The above repair is definitely possible but requires a soldering tool and precision. Its not impossible, and its actually not that hard really either, but there is room for failure is all.

Personally id hunt for a cheap module first, find someone scrapping a van etc.

 

[caseyc]

Dang! There's always something! I knew I should have bought a newer model van! :dodgy:

At this point, both my ABS light and AirBag light are on. The ABS light remains constantly on with a steady yellow glow. The AirBag light is blinking. The blinking light is actually more annoying in my opinion. For now, I'm going to put a small black sticker to cover the stupid AirBag warning light. I already have a black sticker covering the ABS light since Ford couldn't resolve that problem last year. Next time I go back to Ford for servicing, I can then give them a laundry list of small items to fix. For now I'm just going to ignore this cuz Ford usually takes a few days to fix things and I don't want to leave my van with Ford overnight for multiple days.

Yea, looks like the root of the problem is a bad ground.

 

[[email protected]]

Well depending on your mentality.....

The reason the fuse went was a fail safe because the module detected a short and wanted to prevent the air bag going off in your face. Id research it more but for now I believe your only true problem is that your air bag is totally disabled. Me.....id leave it, im not worried about having one. But that is a personal choice you must make.

Electrical tape fixes alot of "safety problems" like TPMS sensors, more BS I dont need. The only way it can cause you a problem otherwise is if you cant pass inspection because of it. Which brings us to another personal choice, I just dont bring my vehicle to inspection, never done it, not once.

As far as your abs sensor goes, id need more info to weigh in in that. Braked are something I would worry about.

 

[highdesertranger]

just a heads up the part stores here in the peoples republik of kalifornia are not allowed to scan for codes. autozone included. we just asked autozone a couple weeks ago and they said it was against the law in kalifornia. highdesertranger

 

[Donedirtcheap]

Put tape over the light and keep whistling and driving.

 

[caseyc]

It's a bit frustrating to keep getting these little odds and ends for repairs, which always end up costing me hundreds each time. Thankfully at least the engine and everything else seem to run well. I guess since it's a 1995 vehicle, all these small knick knacks are almost bound to occur. Still, it's annoying.

 

[Zil]

Caseyc, old friend. Are you going to try that in post 11 ? Wow last week you couldn't even check your oil.

 

[caseyc]

R U freakin' kiddin' me? Do I look like a mechanical genius?? I'm a poor sap that has to pay others, haha!