2000 ford windstar airbag code 36

[toughguy5]

i have a 2000 ford windstar with a airbag code 36, can somebody point me in the right direction, thanks.

[tempfixit]

Originally Posted by toughguy5

i have a 2000 ford windstar with a airbag code 36, can somebody point me in the right direction, thanks.

Do you have side air bags??

[tempfixit]

TEST T: LEFT-SIDE AIR BAG CIRCUIT SHORT TO GROUND (DTC B1993)

Description

RCM checks left-side air bag module circuit for shorts to ground by monitoring voltage at RCM harness
connector C232, terminals No. 2 (White/Light Blue wire) and No. 3 (Black/Light Blue wire). If RCM detects
resistance less than 1000 ohms at either terminal, it will store DTC B1993 in memory and flash Code 36 on AIR
BAG warning light.

Possible Causes

A left-side air bag circuit short to ground could be caused by a short to ground on White/Light Blue wire
(circuit 1257), a short to ground on Black/Light Blue wire (circuit 1258) or a short to ground in left-side air bag
module.

1

TEST V: LEFT-SIDE AIR BAG CIRCUIT SHORT TO BATTERY OR IGNITION (DTC B1992)

Description

RCM checks left-side air bag module circuit for shorts to battery or ignition by monitoring voltage at RCM
harness connector C232, terminals No. 2 (White/Light Blue wire) and No. 3 (Black/Light Blue wire). If RCM
detects battery or ignition voltage, it will store DTC B1992 in memory and flash Code 36 on AIR BAG warning
light.

Possible Causes

A left-side air bag circuit short to battery or ignition voltage could be caused by a short to battery or ignition
voltage on White/Light Blue wire (circuit 1257), a short to battery or ignition voltage on Black/Light Blue wire

(circuit 1258) or a short to battery or ignition voltage in left-side air bag module.

TEST X: LEFT-SIDE AIR BAG CIRCUIT RESISTANCE HIGH (DTC B1994)

2000 Ford Windstar

2000 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Ford Motor Co. - Air Bag Restraint Systems

Description

RCM monitors resistance of left-side air bag module circuit loop and air bag igniter at RCM connector C232
terminals No. 2 (White/Light Blue wire) and No. 3 (Black/Light Blue wire). If RCM detects resistance more
than 3.6 ohms, it will store DTC B1994 in memory and flash Code 36 on AIR BAG warning light.

Possible Causes

Left-side air bag circuit high resistance could be caused by damaged White/Light Blue wire (circuit 1257),
damaged Black/Light Blue wire (circuit 1258), damaged left-side air bag module or disconnected left-side air
bag module.
1.

Check for hard or intermittent DTC

Ensure ignition is off. Connect scan tool to DLC. See

USING SCAN TOOL under DIAGNOSTICS.
Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Retrieve and record any continuous DTCs. See RETRIEVING
FAULT CODES under DIAGNOSTICS. Perform on-demand self-test. See ON-DEMAND SELFTEST

under DIAGNOSTICS. If DTC B1994 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is hard. Go
to next step. If DTC B1994 was not retrieved, fault is intermittent. Go to step 5 .
2.

Check left-side air bag module

Turn ignition off. Disable air bag system. See

DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING &
ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Perform on-demand self-test.
If DTC B1994 is retrieved, go to next step. If DTC B1994 is not retrieved, replace left-side air bag
module. See SIDE AIR BAG MODULE under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
3. Check left-side air bag circuits

Turn ignition off. Access and disconnect RCM connector C232. See

RESTRAINTS CONTROL
MODULE under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. DO NOT separate or remove shorting bars from
connector C232. Remove air bag simulator from under-seat connector. Zero ohmmeter. Measure
resistance between White/Light Blue and Black/Light Blue wires on RCM side of left-side air bag
module under-seat harness connector. If resistance is more than one ohm, repair open in appropriate wire
and go to step 6 . See WIRING DIAGRAMS .If resistance is less than one ohm, go to next step.
4. Check left-side air bag wiring

Inspect all crimps, terminals, wires and connectors in circuit No. 1257 (White/Light Blue wire) between
left-side air bag module under-seat harness connector and RCM connector C232, terminal No. 2. Inspect
all crimps, terminals, wires and connectors in circuit No. 1258 (Black/Light Blue wire) between left-side

NOTE: New RCM is programmed from the factory for vehicles with side air bags. If new
RCM has been installed in vehicle without side air bags, RCM will flash Code 36
on AIR BAG warning light.
NOTE: Before proceeding, See AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS .

2000

TEST Z: LEFT-SIDE AIR BAG CIRCUIT RESISTANCE LOW (DTC B1995)

Description

RCM monitors resistance of left-side air bag module circuit loop and air bag igniter at RCM connector C232
terminals No. 2 (White/Light Blue wire) and No. 3 (Black/Light Blue wire). If RCM detects resistance less than
1.4 ohms, it will store DTC B1995 in memory and flash Code 36 on AIR BAG warning light.

Possible Causes

NOTE: Before proceeding, See AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS .
2000 Ford Windstar

2000 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Ford Motor Co. - Air Bag Restraint Systems

Left-side air bag circuit low resistance could be caused by damaged White/Light Blue wire (circuit 1257),
damaged Black/Light Blue wire (circuit 1258), damaged left-side air bag module or incorrect left-side air bag

module

[toughguy5]

Originally Posted by tempfixit

Do you have side air bags??

yes.

[toughguy5]

Originally Posted by toughguy5

yes.

fixed it, checked the connectors under the front seats.

[Windstartled]

Had the same code when I bought my 2000, connectors under seat were neatly plugged, but no continuity. Followed wires to fuse box where I noticed that not only was fuse missing, but the socket only had ground connector pin. Turns out previous owner had retrofitted van with leather power seats taken from an SEL ( when I first bought the van I had thought it odd to have those seats in an LX) but had neglected to run power for the side airbags which are contained in those seats. Guess he wanted to avoid creating yet another potential source of electrical issues.