Focus Fanatics Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Air bag warning light...

Jump to Latest
31K views 19 replies 13 participants last post by  Adamnew1997  
A
#1 ·
The airbag light on the dashboard normally shuts off after starting the car, but, a few days ago it stayed on, and will not shut off.

Any risks associated with this? Could the airbag deploy without warning? Could the car shut down while going down the road? Will it damage anything to leave the light on?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Have a great week!!! [thumb]
 
S
#2 ·
SRS Fault Codes
Fault codes are flashed by the airbag light. A single flash with a few seconds between it is Code 1. A double flash and a pause is code 2 and so on. The codes are as follows:
1 Flash Drivers airbag failure - or open circuit to airbag (check Mylar clock spring connection)
2 Flashes Passenger Airbag failure - or open circuit to airbag
3 Flashes Failure of both airbags
4 Flashes Pyrotechnic seatbelt pre-tensioner failure (Either side)
5 Flashes Drivers airbag failure - System shorted
6 Flashes Passenger airbag failure - System shorted
7 Flashes Drivers crash sensor failure
8 Flashes Passenger crash sensor failure

The most common failure is code 1. It looks as if the light is simply flashing on and off, but if this is seen the driver’s airbag Mylar connector should be checked for security. After disconnecting the battery and waiting at least 15 minutes the airbag can be removed from the steering wheel by undoing the Torx screws through the rear of the steering wheel lifting the airbag off and checking the multiplug on the clock spring because this can work loose. Reconnect and reinstall the airbag fully before reconnecting the battery.

Any help to you ,taken from uk spec ford .Think the codes would be the same?not heard of the light staying on constant .
 
#4 ·
Mine is doing the same thing. I checked the connectors under the seats, got nothing there, the light is still on solid. Also took a look at the fuses under the dash, no luck there either.

I did the odometer test mode, it showed 2 (possibly 3 codes). The first is 9318 (low battery voltage). I had the battery checked at a very good battery center, they said its all good, alternator is good too, so maybe that's an old code.

The second code (I can't find what it is anywhere) was 9868.

The last one (not sure if its really a code at all) looks like its d900.

After I got the battery checked the light went off, but I'll see tomorrow if it comes back on after I drive it to work.

So far I'm stumped as to what the airbag deal is. If worse comes to worst, I may just take it to a dealer.
 
M
#7 ·
i got same problem with you but the difference is it the ENGINE CHECK SOON wont turn off for a reason its just in solid orange, so i brought it to my dealer for service and they say nothings wrong with my car because they complimentary check all the posibility and scan it in their comp, they just reflashed my electronincs system and its all good now, im not saying that it might answer your problem in that way too but theres no harm for trying it. its just my opinion man!
 
#6 ·
No, I did disconnect the battery for 15 minutes on Sunday, but the light came back on later.

Today when they tested the battery, first they did an alternator test with the engine on, then shut it off and tested the battery itself, but never disconnected anything.
 
#8 ·
well i dont know if it would the same problem with you but on my 05' i had the same issue, air bag light came on and stayd on...never blinked...and i got it checked and replaced under warranty, it was a "pretensioner" dont know what it is, but hopefully that can point you in the right direction
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
A
#11 ·
I have a similar issue but it occurred after the top rad support was replace. There were two wires that had to be disconnected from the rad support. The rad support that was put in didn't have one of the connectors.

There is one connector that goes under the hood release

The other connector went to the upper portion of the rad support. The new rad support didn't have a connector like the old one did. Does anybody know if either of those wires have anything to do with the Air Bags?

If the above made no sense I will try to take some pictures tomorrow
 
#13 · (Edited)
AverageCanadian said:
... Does anybody know if either of those wires have anything to do with the Air Bags?...
Click to expand...
It's a good question. I haven't seen a wiring diagram, but do believe that there are multiple sensors for front end damage that would trigger the airbags. A disconnected sensor up front would likely light up the airbag indicator light as a warning that the system is not operating as designed.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#14 ·
Well, to update my situation, my CC and horn work also, and the light was on for the last week, but when I got into the car to head home tonight the light was off again..... its beginning to be a tricky little gremlin or something....

I'll see if it comes back on tomorrow, yet again....
 
#15 ·
Well, I finally took my car in to the dealer. They took a quick look at it last week and cleared the codes, the light came back on. I brought it back a few days later and they took apart the airbag assembly and said it was a spring of some kind that keeps the wires separated in the steering column. They put a new spring in and tested to make sure it wouldn't slip out of the way, and supposedly everything is good to go now. I pick the car up tomorrow, so I'll have to see how it really goes.

Luckily I am just below the end of my warranty, so it was all covered for free (they even threw in to give me a Ford Escape rental car for a few days)
 
W
#19 ·
Airbag lite stays on, 2001 ZX3 manual transmission

Recently had corrosion build up on battery which I cleaned & all is now normal except the airbag lite now stays on. I have an OBD 2 reader which shows no code & was unable to turn the SRS aka airbag off. How do I do this? My 2001 ZX3 5 speed has been the most trouble free car I have ever owned, except for two deer collisions. I bought the car new on Labor day 2001 & it now has over 152,000 miles on it. The battery is over 4 years old which is probably causing the corrosion build up but it still checks out OK.
I recently bought a 1997 Mercedes E300 diesel which seems to handle about the same as my Focus. This is probably because the Focus was engineered in Germany. This is certainly a compliment for the Focus as it was a much cheaper car new than the Mercedes.
 
Focus Fanatics Forum
posts
5.8M
members
203K
Since
2003
A forum community dedicated to Ford Focus owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about SVT performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Technical Chat Ford Focus Builds & General Showroom MK3 Focus SVT Performance (2002-2004) MK1 Focus