1990 code #9

[1949gord]

picked up a 1990 taurus with lite left front damage, headlight/parklite,thats no problem but am getting a #9 code( open crash sensor ckt) on airbag lite. any idea where to start looking for this problem,thanks gord

[irish30]

You have a crash sensor that has been tripped. It is a rectangular black box with a wiring connector leading to it. You need to find it and replace it. There should be one on the front header panel by the hood latch, or one on either side of the hood latch. I don't know the exact location. Sorry.

[1949gord]

thanks irish30 for the reply,is that the box by the hood latch with the 4wire conn there is also one there that has about a dozen wires to it. could this sensor be tripped without the airbag going off thanks gord

[irish30]

The wiring connector should have two wires leading to it. It might be more for this model year. Yes the crash sensor can be damaged without the bag deploying. There is a safety, secondary crash sensor located at the firewall. One will give the signal of a collision and the other will signal the impact. The airbag module needs a signal from both simultaneously(sp) to diploy the bag. This is done so you don't get hurt from the bag going off in a collision of low speed. If you phone the parts department of a local dealer they should be able to look it up to see how many wires are on the connector. If not a body shop should also know. I can't find a wiring diagram book at my dealer. Too old, must have got lost or stolen.