Air Bag light blinking

[94GTMOOSE]

Ive had a air bag light flashing for sometime now. And i decided to finally get around to fixing it.

I looked up the code it was flashing. 42. i looked it up and it is: LH Radiator Primary Crash Sensor Feed/Return Circuit Open. What this means i dunno. But i decided that the first place i should start is to replace the LH rad sensor.

While this is a pretty straight foward task, i still have some questions.

1. Do i have to reset the codes after i change the sensor?
2. If i do not reset the codes will they just erase themselves after a few key cycles?
3. are the sensors interchangable LH-RH?

 

[Chythar]

When the airbag computer detects the errors are clear, you'll get a code 82: "LH sensor error intermittent or fixed". This means you've fixed the issue, but that code must be cleared. You can clear the code with a paper clip to jumper the pins in the airbag "code clear" connector. If you don't have the link, here's a list of airbag codes for our cars, hints on how to fix the codes and how to clear them:

Mustang 1995 Air Bag Diagnostic Codes

I do not believe the codes will clear on their own. I don't think the sensors are interchangeable. Even if the are electronics-wise, I think the sensors are interchangeable, but I'm not sure offhand.

 

[94GTMOOSE]

ok Ive tried to reset the code after i changed the sensor. here is how i was doing it please correct anything that i did wrong casue the code is no removed.

i turned the ignition to on, then waited for the code to read out once, then i used a wire to jump from pin to pin on the reset plug. after that i got NO reset tone, or code. i left it in for 5 secs and then i tried longer to see if that would work.

What am i doing wrong?

 

[Chythar]

The code won't clear if the airbag computer still detects the problem. Is it still flashing code 42? If so, the new sensor is either bad or you have a wiring problem. Have you done any recent work under the driver's fender? The harness for the LH airbag sensor runs from the sensor, past the left headlamp, under the battery, into the driver's fenderwell and hooks up with a harness there. I found this out while working on my Cobra clone, accidentally left the harness unplugged and got error code 42. Also had no left headlamp or fog light.

 

[94GTMOOSE]

I'm hoping it's the wiring. Is there any way to check to see if I have a bad ground?

 

[94GTMOOSE]

when you say you left the harness disconnected, do you mean the crash sensor harness, or do you mean the harness that it attaches to?

 

[Chythar]

I don't remember the airbag connector wiring offhand, perhaps someone else can pitch in.

 

[94GTMOOSE]

i would really like to fix this problem. I dont like driving around with the airbags turned off. And i certainly do not want to remove the bulb so i dont see it. Thats like painting over mold without fixing the leak. I also want to know how the sensors work. Is there a certain voltage i can check for.

 

[94GTMOOSE]

Ive been searching for about 3 hrs everywhere on the internet for a download-able 1994 Ford Mustang Factory Service Manual Electrical EV. I have not come up with anything. Does anyone know where i can find one, or can someone scan some pages for me. I need the flowchart to diagnose this problem.

 

[Itkix]

Post reply if you solve the problem, I have the same code and cant figure out whats wrong, swapped sensors also, no luck.
Seems it would be easier to run new wires from sensor to module but dont know where the go.

 

[94GTMOOSE]

Itkix, i do not know where the wires lead to either. if they lead back to the diagnostic module, i would just swap the wires out like you said.

 

[Itkix]

I know when I installed my boost guage line, I ran it through the rubber grommet on the drivers side firewall, used a drill to make a hole and noticed I did hit a red wire but just took the skin off the wire didn't break it and its not touching anything, that may be my problem seems I got a code after that but not sure, and haven't tried to pull that grommet out looks hard to get out.?? And not sure if sensor wires go that way guess the probably do.

 

[Chythar]

The airbag system is pretty sensitive to wiring and connector issues. It checks wire resistance as well as connectivity, and will throw a code if the resistance is too high. I unplugged an airbag connector years ago when I was working under the dash, and the next time I started the car I got an airbag code. Some electrical contact cleaner was all I needed to clear the code. So Itkix, if that red wire was part of the airbag wiring then that could be the cause.