1998 Ford Ranger Air Bag Code 27 - Page 3

Wasilla AK · 12-18-2007, 01:14 AM

I need a sanity check please. I had the flashing air bag icon on my instrument panel back in June/July timeframe. I'm great working on others vehicles, but a puss when it comes to working on my own. I ignired the icon and never actually hooked up a scanner. Well here it is December and I no longer have the airbag icon. Am I losing my mind or has anyone else experienced this?

Stan

GRM_CT_Pa · 06-28-2008, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerg

I had this happen on my 98 Ranger.(code 27) My light on the module that turns off the passenger side airbag was burnt out. I went to Radio Shack and bought a 12v light with wires attached and soldered them to the existing light.(didn't even take it out!) It fixed it!! Cost, about $1.50 and 20 minutes of fix time.

Note: if the light by the key switch to turn off the passenger side airbag does not work, it diables the entire airbag system! Hope yours is as easy to fix.

gerg

-If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the
others here for?-

Thanks for the info. I had the Ford Dealer run a diagnostic check they said I needed an Air Bag Control Module $326.00. Good thing I didn't have it installed, wouldn't have fixed it anyway. I applied your fix and got rid of my Air Bag Light. Should have come here first.
Gary

hughesjv · 02-28-2009, 04:26 PM

98 Ford Ranger with the same issue described here (Airbag Indicator flashed and remained on). Replacing the bulb solved my problem and I truly appreciate the help.

Jim

capnray · 02-28-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hughesjv

98 Ford Ranger with the same issue described here (Airbag Indicator flashed and remained on). Replacing the bulb solved my problem and I truly appreciate the help.

Jim

Jim,

You are welcome. Having spent some 20 years in automotive engineering I do find it difficult to believe that they would shut down an entire safety system because of a lamp failure. However, the Ranger has a full frame and in most cases seat restraint is adequate protection in a crash.

SoloTSi97 · 03-11-2009, 08:00 AM

1998 Ranger here with code 2-7 as well. I have noticed that the bulb on the passenger disable switch has been on & off intermittently, but didn't realize the two were related. I'm sure mine is the same problem.

Thanks for the useful thread!!

-Bob

DavoFromTX · 04-27-2009, 10:12 PM

Hats off to Gerg and Probell for an answer that really works!

I went to Radio Shack and looked at the suggested bulb (272-1099), a set of three for about $2.50. It's only rated for 15 hours. I'm not real keen on doing this again so I looked a little closer and found another bulb (272-1092), a little micro with the same volt and miliamp ratings rated for 10,000 hours,...and its cheaper, two for $1.79. The only bad thing is the leads are "very" fine. You have to really pay attention or you'll burn right through the wires. But I did it with my trusty wood burning pen, so it can't be that hard. Works like a champ.

Raspberries to Ford for using a 15-hour, solder on bulb.

Davo

Ranger81 · 06-24-2009, 01:07 AM

My Ranger is actually a 2000, but that doesn't matter. This just started happening to me tonight. My question is...Can you replace that bulb with an LED? I honestly thought that something was majorly wrong. I'm very relieved to know that it's not something major. Thanks guys. WTF was Ford thinking to design the system to disable just b/c of a stupid bulb?

capnray · 06-24-2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger81

My Ranger is actually a 2000, but that doesn't matter. This just started happening to me tonight. My question is...Can you replace that bulb with an LED? I honestly thought that something was majorly wrong. I'm very relieved to know that it's not something major. Thanks guys. WTF was Ford thinking to design the system to disable just b/c of a stupid bulb?

A LED will work, however you will need to choose one with a built in "ballast" resistor or provide one in series to limit the current to 20mA. The computer senses current in the circuit, so you do not have to provide a device that draws the 60 mA if the original incandescent lamp.

UsedtobeSmart · 06-24-2009, 10:32 AM

DavoFromTX used an LED without a problem. There are no incandescent bulbs that last 10,000 hours when all modern LEDs last that long. Good catch and explanation capnray and good luck Ranger81.

Ranger81 · 06-27-2009, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnray

A LED will work, however you will need to choose one with a built in "ballast" resistor or provide one in series to limit the current to 20mA. The computer senses current in the circuit, so you do not have to provide a device that draws the 60 mA if the original incandescent lamp.

Well, in reading all the posts/replies, I guess going to Radio Shack would be the cheaper move in fixing this problem. A friend of mine is a mechanic and he told me that it might not be a good move though b/c even though the light may be fixed, the SRS system may be affected still in the functionality. If it's just a standard 12v light, I don't see any issues with it, but can we be 100% positive that there's not any "hidden" problems behind this fix? My thought is, if there's going to be any issues at all, then the dash light would come on indicating a problem.

30LoneStar · 07-30-2009, 10:04 PM

Well I wasn't so lucky. 1999 ranger xlt 4x4 had same code, replaced bulb " 12 volt resisted LED (2760209) didn't work. light does not come on when turn key for disable. So I'm thinking might be board?
Kinda hopin that was going to be quick fix.

I guess least of my problems. going to start to replace transmission on Saturday!!!!!!!!

Paul

30LoneStar · 07-31-2009, 08:30 PM

Well I tried the bulb mentioned above and took out the led and all is good. no more codes, lights or dings. Thanks Guys.

Paul

indy mike · 09-12-2009, 03:00 PM

thanks gerg and probell. it works on a 2001 also,procedure changed a little but is easy to figure out.

joeshaw · 09-19-2009, 08:25 PM

Many thanks to all the previous posters here. I also had the airbag warning (code 27) on a 2003 Ford Ranger due to a burned out passenger side disable LED. Replacing the LED with the suggested Radio Shack P/N 276-209 12 VDC 20 Ma LED (without a ballast) worked for me. It took me two tries because polarity matters (and is not indicated on the circuit board). On my board the LED cathode (short lead) goes closest to the edge of the board. I assume that this will be the same for other models / model years.

Joe

rogriney · 09-25-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerg

I had this happen on my 98 Ranger.(code 27) My light on the module that turns off the passenger side airbag was burnt out. I went to Radio Shack and bought a 12v light with wires attached and soldered them to the existing light.(didn't even take it out!) It fixed it!! Cost, about $1.50 and 20 minutes of fix time.

Note: if the light by the key switch to turn off the passenger side airbag does not work, it diables the entire airbag system! Hope yours is as easy to fix.

gerg

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerg

-If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?-

Hey gerg, I'm one of the others, and you have helped me a lot with your air bag code 27 reply to edlmmx's question. My passenger bulb has been burnt out for years now and was also getting the code 27. So I tried your idea out today and it worked.
Thanks-a-Million for your help, God bless you and yours.
Roger

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