2001 Taurus intermittent flashing air bag light

[aklapp]

My son has a 2001 Taurus. Recently, the air bag light started flashing occasionally. I think the code is 64 or 65 - I'll have to catch it again and make sure. Any ideas what could be wrong? Is it something a non-professional can fix?

[TaurusKing]

The airbag lamp should turn off approx 5-6 secs after key is turned to run if system checks out, if it flashes, stays on solid, there's a fault somewhere in the system,, the lamp should begin flashing out codes, called lfc's(lamp fault codes) about 30-40 secs after key is on run position,, they would be 2 digit codes, example code 32 would be flash-flash-flash, short break, flash-flash,, this will repeat 4 or 5 times, than the airbag lamp will stay on solid until next key cycle in which case the cycle will be repeated.. airbag repair is very risky, not something typical backyard mechanic should attempt unless very familiar with procedures....

[shorod]

I don't find a LFC 64 or 65. An LFC 54 would indicate an module configuration failure and would require replacement of the RCM. Don't see an LFC 55, not sure what an LFC 46 would be (but it does exist) and I don't see an LFC 56.

See if the codes show up again and confirm the LFC, or get the airbag/body codes read and post the 4-digit 'B' codes here. LFC 54 corresponds to B2477 and LFC 46 corresponds to B1877 or B1885. To get the 'B' codes read you'll likely have to go to a dealer or professional shop. The common scan tools from Autozone, etc. only read the Powertrain 'P' codes.

-Rod

[blkplague]

i have a 2001 Taurus ses and the airbag light is not turning off what should i do to fix it my self

[shorod]

Welcome to the forum!

The answer to your question depends on the cause of the light coming on. There are a lot of items that could cause the SRS light to come on. You'll need to get the codes read to know where to start, unless you want to start shotgunning parts like the clockspring, crash sensor grounds, seat belt pre-tensioners.

There are a few checks you could try to make a logical guess such as checking if the horn, cruise, and other steering wheel buttons/controls work properly. If the driver's seat is power and moves often, either because of different drivers or because of an easy-exit feature, check the wires/connections under the driver's seat.

-Rod

[vernac]

I had a mechanic replace my heater core on my 2001 Taurus. The airbag light did not flash before but does now. He claims he never touched any part of the airbag system. I am sure he disconnected my battery (which I don't know if that has anything to do with it). It flashes 6 then 4 and stays on from there. Most of the time it flashes then occasionally it does not. What is that code and is there a diagram of the route of the wiring for this system for this car. I would like to fix it myself but can't due to health reasons so my friend will be working on it. Any help is appreciated. Thank you in advance. Vern

[shorod]

Are you quite confident in the order of the flashes? Looking through the factory service manual for the 2001 Taurus I don't see a lamp fault code option of 64 for the airbag system, but I do see a code 46 which indicates a low or open condition in the driver's pretensioner circuit.

This code would pertain to the driver's seat belt pretensioner. Chances are pretty good when the person performing the heater core work was removing the dash, they moved both seats all the way back to provide more working space. In doing this, if the wiring for the pretensioner was worn or loose, that could have caused the connector to come apart or a wire to break. I'd say if this is the case, it more certainly is not the fault of the technician.

I'd start by carefully checking the connections under the driver's seat. You're looking for a small 4-wire connector.

-Rod

[vernac]

Thank you so much for the info. It is a 46 flash code. I will be checking it out.