AirBag Rediness Light & winding noise when accelerating

[stefsquared]

Hi,
I have a 96 Explorer XLT 4x4 with 107k. My air bag light came on today and stayed on. It flashes for 3 or 4 times after start up, then goes solid.

Does this mean it will not blow open if it is activated? Or is it working ok but needs to be serviced????

Also, noticed that when I accellerate my engine makes a winding noise, but goes away at 30+ mph. Or could get drowned out and I don't know.

It is extremely cold 2 degrees F with a whipping wind chill. Does the temparture have anything to do with it?

Any thoughts would be very helpful.

[yotermanic]

Here's what I need you to do. Look at your blinking light when you turn the key on. It should blink a certain amount of times then pause, then blink another amout of times, this indicates the two numbers of the code. For instance...21 blink,blink, pause, blink. If you can get me this code I can help you with the airbag light. Engine noises are hard to diagnose without seeing it, or if it is a common problem. Are you sure it's the engine, though? The wheel bearings on those are pretty common noise makers.

[saperich]

Maybe fan clutch.

[stefsquared]

Hi Yotermanic,
Thanks for the quick reply!

I have performed your procedure and have recieved the following:
After Startup- Air Bag Light blinks : once (1), pause, twice (2), pause, 1 pause, 2, pause, 1, pause, 2, pause, 1, pause, 2, pause, 1, pause, 2, SOLID Air Bag Light.

Looking forward to your response!
Thanks again!

[slp21]

Yes my airbag light is trying to tell me something also.
It flashes 3 times, then 4 times, then 3 times. It does the sequence two or three times, then its on steady. What does this mean? anyone. I have a 2002 4.6l v8 EB explorer. - scott

[argetim]

I also have a 2002 Ford Explorer XLt that the air bag rediness light is flashing, then goes solid. Just like slp21 it flash 3 times then 4 times, does 3 cycles of this then goes solid. Any suggestions?

[terry386]

Originally Posted by argetim

I also have a 2002 Ford Explorer XLt that the air bag rediness light is flashing, then goes solid. Just like slp21 it flash 3 times then 4 times, does 3 cycles of this then goes solid. Any suggestions?

I have a 2000 and mine did the same thing. Took it up to the auto parts store as someone had recommended on here and had the scan tool put on but no codes. Came back here and read some more threads and found the trouble to be, whenever I put my passenger seat back all the way, or sometimes when someone gets in the back seat, it appears the connection under the seat is getting tugged. I pushed the connection back in, shut the car off and turned it back on, the light goes off. Problem is..........I have to do this every time the seat is pushed back all the way. It's almost the connecting cord is to short. It's worth a try and won't cost you to try and troubleshoot it yourself. Good Luck

[punmaster7]

My '99 does this as well from time to time and flashes codes 36 and 37 (or is it 38 and 39???) depending if it is drivers side or passengers side. Whatever the codes are, it indicates that the side airbags are not responding to the self test and disalbes the airbag system. Problem is, my '99 doesn't have side airbags. In fact, I don't believe any '99 has side airbags. Ford's solution, as some of you have noticed, is to terminate the line and mount the connector to the back of the seat. At times, this terminator works loose (especially when adjusting the seat) and the computer sends the appropriate (or inappropriate) code. The workaround is to fidget with the connector and try to reestablish the circuit and turn off/on the ignition to reset it. Does anybody out there have a permanent fix for this?
Curt.