Flashing Air Bag Lite on 97 Explorer XLT V8

[vantheu]

I just purchased a a 97 Explorer XLT (5.0 V8) here are my problems:

1. Flashing air bag sensor:
Previous owners says that the passenger sensore was diconnected because there was a child seat on passenger seat, but has been reconnected when I bought the car. It flashes a couple of times then stays solid, it does this every time that I start the car.

2. The vehicle also makes ticking nosie when the car is driven, do these have any correlations? I read somehere on the net that they might be connected, but the thread was not complete and I couldn't find the answer to that thread.

Any answers will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Vantheu

[nonova]

My '96 XLT is doing the same thing. The light is giving you a code. Count the number of flashes before it stays on. Mine will flash 5 times then 2 times which is a code 52. If you go to Venturi's Automotive Forums those guys will help you. rich

http://venturi.proboards37.com/index.cgi

[vantheu]

I found out that my code is flashing 33, I looked some ford codes and it saying that my passenger airbag is open or reading high resistance. I am wondering if I unplug the negative terminal and let it sit for 10 minutes, would that reset my airbag sensor? Any thoughts would be greatly appreiciated.

Thanks,
Vantheu

[way2old]

Here is a little reading for you on the air bag code. You cannot erase the code by disconnecting the battery. It needs cleared by an Air Bag capable scan tool.

Normal resistance from C232-5, circuit 607 (LB/O), (passenger side air bag module feed) to C232-4, circuit 616 (PK/BK), (passenger side air bag module return) is between 0.9 ohm and 1.2 ohms.
This resistance consists of the passenger side air bag module resistance (approximately 1.0 ohm) plus a small amount of resistance due to the wire itself, crimps, etc.
If the resistance across C232-5, circuit 607 (LB/O), and C232-4, circuit 616 (PK/BK), exceeds 3 ohms, the air bag diagnostic monitor will store in memory diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B1933 and flash lamp fault code (LFC) 33 on the air bag indicator.
If the high resistance is later repaired or otherwise falls into the normal range, DTC B1933 will be stored in memory.

Possible Causes

Excessive resistance across C232-5, circuit 607 (LB/O), and C232-4, circuit 616 (PK/BK), can be caused by:

An open circuit or high resistance in the wiring harness in either C232-5, circuit 607 (LB/O), or C232-4, circuit 616 (PK/BK).
An open circuit or high resistance in the passenger side air bag module (044A74). Do not attempt a direct resistance measurement of the air bag module. Follow the diagnostic procedure to determine if the air bag module resistance is higher than normal.

[vantheu]

Way2old,

Are you talking about probing at the connector under the steering wheel?
I located it this morning but I did not probe because I wasn't sure if the last number on your code was the pin number or not. A diagram would be nice.

I read somewhere there is a 255 cycle on/off key turn process to clear memory. What is your thought on this? I tried it, but the light is still flashing.
Any help would be good.

Thanks,
Vantheu

[RahX]

DO NOT test the airbag system yourself. you can accidentally set off an airbag with a small amount of power. have someone check it for you, its definitely worth it. it might be as simple as a bad connection. usually you only have to do 50 key cycles but that doesnt always work.

[vantheu]

Hey Guys,

I finally fixed that flashing airbag light. I thought the previous owner had re-installed the airbag plug but he had not done so when he sold me the car. I was checking under the airbag the other day and noticed that there was a plug hanging above my glove compartment. I reconnected the plug and the flashing light went away.

Thanks
Vantheu