AU3 Airbag Fault

[rayban76]

The airbag warning light in my AU3 Fairmont has just recently started flashing. It is doing 3 flashes then 2 flashes so I assume that the code is 32...

I have looked at the following link that shows the fault codes but can not see any code of 32 http://www.fordforums.com.au/showpos...64&postcount=3

I have checked the plugs under both the drivers and passangers seats for the pre-tentioners as mentioned on other threads but both seem ok and the light still flashes after checking them.

Can anyone assist please.

Ray

[Ride]

Tried disconnecting the battery for a bit to reset and see what happens after you put it back?

Perhaps something has been a miss since your front ender last week?

[rayban76]

I havent tried that as yet... sadly it actually started 2 days before the front ender lol..

Will give that a try and see what happends though.

[Evgeni]

From memory code 32 is "the drivers airbag circuit open" . Do you still have stereo/cruise control funtions? Horn working?
Could be the early signs of a failing clockspring.

[rayban76]

Oh ok... I cant use the stereo controls as I have an aftermarket touch screen in, but the horn and cruise control work fine

[XRGhia]

Ray, any luck? Check the connector for the airbag that sits under the dash going up the steering column. It's a 2 pin, black connector with red bits on it...

[rayban76]

Originally Posted by xrghiawagon

Ray, any luck? Check the connector for the airbag that sits under the dash going up the steering column. It's a 2 pin, black connector with red bits on it...

Hm thanks Tony, i'll check that first thing tomorrow morning ...

[rayban76]

Originally Posted by rayban76

Hm thanks Tony, i'll check that first thing tomorrow morning ...

Checked the plug today, all looks fine, the wires feel tight in the plug so guess that rules that out :(

[Evgeni]

Did you check for voltage at the connector? My horn and steering wheel controls worked for about 2 months after the airbag light started going off.
As per usual, picked the opportune moment to fail. Had a lady who didn't check her blind side and just moved over on me. Lucky there was no one in the other lane next to me. Hit the horn to let her know I was there and nothing.

[rayban76]

Originally Posted by Evgeni

Did you check for voltage at the connector? My horn and steering wheel controls worked for about 2 months after the airbag light started going off.
As per usual, picked the opportune moment to fail. Had a lady who didn't check her blind side and just moved over on me. Lucky there was no one in the other lane next to me. Hit the horn to let her know I was there and nothing.

No I havent checked the voltage, however I will look at replacing the clock spring anyway I think, at this stage horn and cruise are working fine but I suspect the same as what happened to you will be next on the cards with mine as well so safer to replace

Ray

[Whoosha]

Trip to a FRIENDLY Ford dealer and get them to check the codes you can spend days checking every thing and it could just need a reset

[rayban76]

Originally Posted by Whoosha

Trip to a FRIENDLY Ford dealer and get them to check the codes you can spend days checking every thing and it could just need a reset

Thanks for the advice Whoosha, my horn actually stopped working this morning lol... so pretty sure now lol...

[Evgeni]

Originally Posted by rayban76

Thanks for the advice Whoosha, my horn actually stopped working this morning lol... so pretty sure now lol...

Right on cue..lol

[rayban76]

Ok so my new clock spring arrived today so a quick 10 minute job to swap them over... Thanks everyone for the advice.

Some pics and instructions of the swap out. Hope this has helped anyone thats wondering how to replace the clock spring

First up eithe disconnect the battery or remove the fuse for the airbag (fuse 21 under the dash) and wait at least 5 minutes before attempting to remove the airbag.


After having no power for at least 5 minutes, remove the 2 screw covers left and right rear sides of the airbag and remove the screws (you will need a 5 point star bit with the hole in the centre)


unplug the 2 plugs behind the airbag (yellow plucg connected directly to the rear of the airbag and red plug for the horn)


unclip the black plug that connects the clock spring to the steering wheel controls (upper left corner of the inside of the steering wheel) then undo the 5 point star drive bolt and reomve steering wheel to reveil the clock spring


Un clicp the clock spring from its 3 clip points (2 left, 1 right side). follow cables along the steering collum and unclip the 2 plugs apart and remove the clock spring completely




Clip new clock spring on and reconnect the plugs under the collum.


Refit steering wheel and retention screw then reconnect the black plug back together


reconnect the red plug for the horn and then the yellow plug back to the rear of the airbag and replace the airbag back on the steering wheel and place the side screws back in. caps on and your complete.




And a pull apart of the inside of the broken clock spring