YACT: Flashing Air Bag light on '93 Town Car

[CigarSmokedByClinton]

Hey all,

I have a '93 Lincoln Town car that has its air bag light flashing. It flashes 4 times, then goes off, then 4 flashes, then off, etc. I have the Haynes book for the TC , but can't find any relevent info. Does anyone else know what its trying to tell me?

Thanks
Cigar

 

[Ornery]

You won't find anything in Haynes. I've got the Helms manual, and it doesn't even cove these codes. Search Google. I found this among others. Sounds like you'll have to check connections for the system. If it were me, I'd have the damn thing disconnected!

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: CigarSmokedByClinton
Hey all,

I have a '93 Lincoln Town car that has its air bag light flashing. It flashes 4 times, then goes off, then 4 flashes, then off, etc. I have the Haynes book for the TC , but can't find any relevent info. Does anyone else know what its trying to tell me?

Thanks
Cigar

I can help you, but not from work. I will reply with some information tonight.

 

[CigarSmokedByClinton]

I eagerly await your return from work!!!

Cigar

 

[Quixfire]

On the 1993 Lincoln Town Car four flashes followed by another four flashes is Diagnosic Trouble Code 44.

RH Radiator Primary Crash Sensor Not Mounted To Vehicle Properly

Normal Operation

The diagnostic monitor measures the resistance between Pin 20 (Circuit 618, P/LG) and Pin 3 (diagnostic monitor reference ground). If the diagnostic monitor measures a difference of more than 2.0 ohms between Pin 20 and Pin 3, it will flash out code 44.

Note that Circuit 618 (P/LG) is grounded to the side of the RH radiator primary crash sensor case and the case of the sensor is grounded to the vehicle at its mounting point.

Possible Causes

High resistance on Pin 20 (Circuit 618, P/LG) to ground can be caused by:

• A poor connection due to loose mounting, dirt, or corrosion at the RH radiator primary crash sensor mounting location.

• An open or damaged wire in Circuit 618 (P/LG) from Pin 20 of the diagnostic monitor harness connector to primary crash sensor.

• An open circuit inside RH radiator primary crash sensor.

Electrical Schematic--Diagnostic Trouble Code 44

I hope this help you, if you have any other questions let me know.

 

[CigarSmokedByClinton]

Wow! Thanks for that info, I will get out my DMM tonite and see what I find.

BTW ain't this forum great?

Cigar

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: CigarSmokedByClinton
Wow! Thanks for that info, I will get out my DMM tonite and see what I find.

BTW ain't this forum great?

Cigar

No no no no no... don't go probing air bag circuits unless you know what you're doing. You may set it off... and if you're behind the wheel fiddling with things, or anyone else is... say goodbye to your nose.

 

[desertdweller]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: CigarSmokedByClinton
Wow! Thanks for that info, I will get out my DMM tonite and see what I find.

BTW ain't this forum great?

Cigar

No no no no no... don't go probing air bag circuits unless you know what you're doing. You may set it off... and if you're behind the wheel fiddling with things, or anyone else is... say goodbye to your nose.

Take Jeff's advice and don't mess with it. Take it in. Those things are easier to set off than
you might think.


DD

 

[Jeff7181]

I've watched a student at the college I went to trying to diagnose a problem, he was following every instruction to the letter, and somehow the airbag still got tripped... went to the hospital with a dislocated jaw and a broken nose... and a few burn marks on his face.

 

[CigarSmokedByClinton]

All I think I will try to do is measure the resistance between the two pins. I will be under the hood, so I don't think I need to worry about the air bag hitting me.

Measureing the resistance shouldn't set it off, should it????? (as long as I don't knock it, bang it, etc)

Cigar

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: CigarSmokedByClinton
All I think I will try to do is measure the resistance between the two pins. I will be under the hood, so I don't think I need to worry about the air bag hitting me.

Measureing the resistance shouldn't set it off, should it????? (as long as I don't knock it, bang it, etc)

Cigar

If you choose to do this disconnect the battery first and wait no less than ten minutes, this will disable the system incase you make a mistake.

Jeff is right, air bag diagnosis is dangous if you aren't careful. I'm sorry I didn't mention that earlier.

Good Luck!

 

[desertdweller]

Originally posted by: CigarSmokedByClinton
All I think I will try to do is measure the resistance between the two pins. I will be under the hood, so I don't think I need to worry about the air bag hitting me.

Measureing the resistance shouldn't set it off, should it????? (as long as I don't knock it, bang it, etc)

Cigar

Those systems are so sensitive that connectors on the wiring are specialized to not allow
any static discharge to take place. They are very sensitive and you can set it off
measuring anything if you're not very carefull and know what you're doing.

You really need to understand that if you're in front of it when it goes off, it will hurt you, and
it will fvck up your car. It will cost a couple thousand more to fix it than just taking it in and
getting it diagnosed.

DD

 

[CigarSmokedByClinton]

Can it still inflate if I disconnect the battery as Quixfire said?

If I ground myself to the frame, as well as the DMM, there should be no static discharge. Right??? (GULP)

I am an electrical engineer by trade, so I am at home with electrical circuits (but not air bag systems though)

Cigar

I hate disconnecting the battery. I lose all my radio presets!!!

 

[Quixfire]

The system will not activate after the battery has been disconnected for more than 8 minutes. Even if you accidently close the sensor circuit.

 

[desertdweller]

Originally posted by: CigarSmokedByClinton
Can it still inflate if I disconnect the battery as Quixfire said?

If I ground myself to the frame, as well as the DMM, there should be no static discharge. Right??? (GULP)

I am an electrical engineer by trade, so I am at home with electrical circuits (but not air bag systems though)

Cigar

I hate disconnecting the battery. I lose all my radio presets!!!

As Quixfire said, it shouldn't go off if you unplug the battery and leave it for around 10 minutes.

I'd still take it in though if it were mine.

DD