Ford Falcon. Manual - part 449

501-20b-11 

Occupant Restraints — Passive 

501-20b-11

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

be removed and the airbag modules reconnected

3.  Attach restraint system diagnostic tools 418-F395

when the system is reactivated to avoid

(2 required) to the clockspring side of the driver

non-deployment in a collision, resulting in

airbag module electrical connectors.

possible personal injury.

4.  Remove the outboard passenger side air register.

NOTE: Do not deactivate the passenger airbag

 WARNING: Never probe the connectors on

module circuit by removing the passenger airbag

the airbag module. Doing so can result in airbag

bridge resistor from the passenger airbag bridge

deployment, which can result in personal injury.

resistor electrical connector.
If the passenger airbag bridge resistor is

 WARNING: The safety belt buckle

removed, an open circuit fault will be generated

pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device. Never probe

by the RCM.

a pretensioner electrical connector. Doing so

If a restraint system diagnostic tool is installed at

could result in pretensioner or airbag deployment

the PAB electrical connector, a low resistance

and could result in personal injury.

fault will be generated by the RCM.

 WARNING: Never probe the connectors on

For commercial vehicle w/o PAB, do not

the side airbag module. Doing so can result in

disconnect the PAB bridge resistor.

side airbag deployment.

5.  For vehicles with airbags only:
 

1.  Disconnect the passenger airbag module

 WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment

electrical connector.

and possible personal injury, the RCM backup

power supply must be depleted before repairing

6.  Attach restraint system diagnostic tool 418-F403

or replacing any front or side airbag SRS

to the harness side of the passenger airbag

components and before servicing, replacing,

module electrical connector.

adjusting or striking components near the front or NOTE: Do not deactivate the side airbag module

side airbag sensors, such as doors, instrument

circuit by removing the side airbag bridge resistor

panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and

from the side airbag bridge resistor electrical

hood latches.

connector.

To deplete the backup power supply energy,

If the side airbag bridge resistor is removed, an open

disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at

circuit fault will be generated by the RCM.

least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary

If a restraint system diagnostic tool is installed at the

batteries and power supplies (if equipped).

side airbag electrical connector, a low resistance fault

The side impact sensors (if equipped) are located

will be generated by the RCM.

in the B-pillars below the latch.

For vehicles without side airbags, do not disconnect

NOTE: Diagnostics or repairs are not to be performed

the side airbag bridge resistor.

on a seat equipped with a seat side airbag with the

seat in the vehicle. Prior to attempting to diagnose or

7.  For vehicles with side airbags only:

repair a seat concern when equipped with a seat side

 

1.  Disconnect the passenger side airbag

airbag, the seat must be removed from the vehicle

electrical connector, located on the seat track.

and the restraint system diagnostic tools must be

 

2.  Attach a restraint system diagnostic tool

installed in the seat side airbag electrical connectors.

418-F088 (105-R0012) to the vehicle harness

NOTE: After diagnosing or repairing an SRS, the

side of the passenger side airbag electrical

restraint system diagnostic tools must be

connector.

removed before operating the vehicle over the

8.  Disconnect the safety belt buckle pretensioner

road.

electrical connector, located on the seat track.

NOTE: After diagnosing or repairing a seat system,

9.  Attach Restraint System Diagnostic Tool

the restraint system diagnostic tools must be

418-F403 to the passenger front seat safety belt

removed before operating the vehicle over the

buckle pretensioner vehicle harness side.

road.

10. For vehicles with airbags only:

NOTE: The SRS must be fully operational and free of   1.  Disconnect the driver side airbag electrical

faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.

connector, located on the seat track.

1.  Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301) and

 

2.  Attach a restraint system diagnostic tool

wait for one minute. For additional information,

418-F088 (105-R0012) to the vehicle harness

refer to Section 414-01.

side of the driver side airbag electrical

connector.

2.  Remove the driver airbag module. For additional

information, refer to Driver Airbag Module in this

11. Disconnect the safety belt buckle pretensioner

section.

electrical connector, located on the seat track.

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501-20b-12 

Occupant Restraints — Passive 

501-20b-12

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

12. Attach Restraint System Diagnostic Tool

will either:

418-F403 to the driver front seat safety belt

fail to light.

buckle pretensioner vehicle harness side.

remain lit continuously.

13. Reconnect the battery ground cable. For

flash.

additional information, refer to Section 414-01.

The flashing might not occur until approximately 30

14. Prove out the system.

seconds after the ignition switch has been turned from

the OFF to the RUN position. This is the time required

Reactivation Procedure

for the restraints control module (RCM) to complete

the testing of the SRS. If the airbag indicator is

 WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious

inoperative and an SRS fault exists, a chime will

personal injury, read and follow all warnings,

sound in a pattern of five sets of five beeps. If this

cautions, and notes at the beginning of the

occurs, the airbag indicator will need to be repaired

deactivation procedure.

before diagnosis can continue.

1.  Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait one

minute. For additional information, refer to Section

Glossary

414-01.

Secondary Airbag Warning

2.  Disconnect the restraint system diagnostic tool

The secondary airbag warning is an audible fault

and connect the driver front seat safety belt

format that consists of five sets of five tone bursts,

buckle pretensioner electrical connector.

with each set of five tone bursts separated by a five

3.  For vehicles with side airbags only:

second quiet period. One tone burst cycle will consist

 

1.  Remove the restraint system diagnostic tool

of one second ON and one second OFF. This series

from the driver side side airbag electrical

of five activations is repeated every 30 minutes.

connector.

Airbag/Pretensioner Restraint System

 

2.  Connect the driver side side airbag electrical

Diagnostic Tools

connector.

4.  Disconnect the restraint system diagnostic tool

Airbag/pretensioner restraint system diagnostic tools

and connect the passenger front seat safety belt

are used to simulate the equivalent resistance of an

buckle pretensioner floor electrical connector.

airbag module or safety belt pretensioner during

certain diagnostic procedures.

5.  For vehicles with side airbags only:
 

1.  Remove the restraint system diagnostic tool

Disconnect the Component

from the passenger side airbag electrical

Disconnect the component means disconnect the

connector.

component vehicle harness connector. It does not

 

2.  Connect the passenger side airbag electrical

mean remove the component. Do not reconnect a

connector.

disconnected component unless instructed to do so.

6.  For vehicles with side airbags only:

Deactivate the System

 

1.  Remove the restraint system diagnostic tool

from the passenger airbag module electrical

Deactivate the system means to carry out a

connector.

deactivation procedure. For additional information,

refer to Deactivation Procedure in this section.

7.  Connect the passenger airbag module electrical

connector.

Prove Out the System

8.  Remove the restraint system diagnostic tools from

Prove out the system means to turn the ignition switch

the driver airbag module electrical connectors.

from the OFF to the RUN position and visually monitor

9.  Install the driver airbag module. For additional

the airbag indicator with the airbag modules and

information, refer to Driver Airbag Module in this

safety belt pretensioners or restraint system

section.

diagnostic tools installed. For additional information,

10. Reconnect the battery ground cable. For

refer to Prove Out Procedure in this section.

additional information, refer to Section 414-01.

11. Prove out the system.

Prove Out Procedure

Turn the ignition switch from the OFF to the RUN

position and visually monitor the airbag indicator with

all SRS components connected or restraint system

diagnostic tools installed. The airbag indicator will light

continuously for approximately six seconds and then

turn off. If an SRS fault is present, the airbag indicator

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501-20b-13 

Occupant Restraints — Passive 

501-20b-13

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

2.  Run the On-Demand Self Test to determine what

Reactivate the System

DTCs are currently being sensed by the RCM.

Reactivate the system means to carry out the

Refer to On-Demand Self Test in this section.

reactivation procedure. For additional information,

3.  If the stored DTCs are different than the current

refer to Reactivation Procedure in this section.

DTCs, always repair the current DTCs first.

Reconnect the System

4.  If memory displays different continuous DTCs

than the On-Demand Self Test, carry out in the

Reconnect the system means to reconnect all system

following order:

components. For additional information, refer to

Airbag System Reconnect Checklist in this section.

On-Demand Self Test
Memory (Retrieve/Clear Continuous DTCs)

Install a New Component

A DTC can indicate several concerns. The DTCs are

Install a new component means to remove the

to assist in system diagnosis and are not to be

existing component and install a new authorized part

considered definitive. Always refer to the pinpoint test

obtained from Ford Customer Service Division.

corresponding to the DTC to determine where the

concern lies and to repair the concern correctly.

Verify the System

The SRS diagnostics can be divided into three

Verify the system means to prove out the system with sections:

restraint system diagnostic tools installed in place of

diagnostic test modes

the SRS components.

PID/data monitor and record

Airbag Reconnect Checklist

active command modes

The checklist below should be completed following

Diagnostic Test Modes

diagnosis or repair of any airbag system concern:

All restraint system diagnostic tools removed?

Two menu options are available under the diagnostic

test modes:

All in-seat harness connectors connected?

Retrieve/Clear Continuous DTCs

All airbag modules connected?

On-Demand Self Test

Safety belt pretensioner connectors connected?
Restraints control module (RCM) connected?

Retrieve/Clear Continuous DTCs

All sensors (front and side impact sensors)

During vehicle operation the restraints control module

connected?

(RCM) will detect and store both intermittent and hard

failure DTCs in nonvolatile memory. The DTC strategy

Battery connected?

employed by the RCM incorporates a time-out

Diagnostic Instructions — Airbag and

scheme for determining when a concern exists in the

system. This requires a concern to exist for up to one

Safety Belt Pretensioner Supplemental

minute in the system before the RCM will detect it.

Restraint System (SRS)

For the RCM to determine that a concern no longer

exists, the concern must be absent for up to one

Special Tool(s)

minute. The actual detection time-outs vary with each

DTC. The DTCs can be retrieved with a scan tool

Worldwide Diagnostic System

using the retrieve/clear continuous DTCs option. Any

(WDS)

DTCs stored in the RCM will be displayed on the scan

418-FS317,

tool along with a brief description of the DTC. If no

or equivelant scan tool

DTCs are present, the scan tool will display a

SYSTEM PASSED message. This option can also be

used to clear DTCs from the RCM memory, as long

as the concern no longer exists. Once 128 key cycles

The symptom chart can be used to help locate

have been recorded since the concern was last

supplemental restraint system (SRS) concerns if no

detected, the DTC will automatically be removed from

diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) are retrieved and the memory.

listed symptoms are observed. Whether or not the

To retrieve or clear DTCs, follow these steps:

listed symptoms are observed, always carry out the

1.  Connect the scan tool to the data link connector

following:

(DLC).

1.  Retrieve all DTCs stored in the restraints control

2.  Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position.

module (RCM) memory. For additional

3.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the

information, refer to Retrieve/Clear Continuous

scan tool being used.

DTCs in this section.

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501-20b-14 

Occupant Restraints — Passive 

501-20b-14

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

4.  All continuous DTCs will be displayed on the

that DTC, including the status or state that exists

screen.

(on-demand DTC) or existed (continuous DTC).

NOTE: Before proceeding with the clearing

To view and flag bit-mapped DTCs, follow these

operation, make note of the DTCs displayed.

steps:

Once cleared, DTCs cannot be retrieved.

1.  Connect the scan tool to the data link connector

(DLC).

5.  Clear the DTCs. After clearing the DTCs, cycle

the key OFF, then ON.

2.  Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.

Continuous DTCs that have been cleared will 3.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the

not re-occur as “Continuous” in the same key

scan tool being used.

cycle. Only new DTCs which were not

4.  Carry out an On-Demand Self Test or retrieve

present before clearing can occur as

continuous DTCs.

“Continuous” after clearing.

5.  Select the DTC and the “FLAG” option on the

On-Demand Self Test

scan tool.

6.  The scan tool will display PIDs for the DTC.

The On-Demand Self Test option is used to verify that

Record all flagged faults.

no electrical concerns exist with the airbag SRS.

Upon entering the self test, the restraints control

PID/Data Monitor and Record

module (RCM) will make an electrical check of each

electrical component in the system. If a concern is

The PID/Data Monitor and Record option allows the

detected, a DTC is displayed on the scan tool with a

scan tool operator to read the state of several

brief description of the DTC. Concerns detected

parameter IDs (PIDs) to aid in diagnosing the system.

during the self test are not stored in memory, unless

PIDs are real time measurements of parameters such

the same concern was also detected during normal

as voltages, resistances, etc., calculated by the

vehicle operation. The self test should always be run

restraints control module (RCM) and sent to the scan

after any repair to verify that the repair was

tool for display. Many of the PIDs supported by the

successful.

RCM are calculated periodically and are, therefore,

not true real time readings.

To run the On-Demand Self Test, follow these steps:

To retrieve PIDs, follow these steps:

1.  Connect the scan tool to the data link connector

(DLC).

1.  Connect the scan tool to the data link connector

(DLC).

2.  Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position.

2.  Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.

3.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the

scan tool being used.

3.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the

scan tool being used.

4.  The RCM will run the On-Demand Self Test and

display on-demand DTCs (reflecting hard system

4.  Record all PIDs that are to be retrieved and

concerns) on the scan tool.

initiate PID retrieval. PIDs are updated

continuously on the display.

Bit-Mapped Diagnostic Trouble Codes

Active Commands

(DTCs)

Instrument Cluster Module

Many of the continuous and on-demand DTCs that

can be present in the RCM are bit-mapped DTCs that These commands allow the technician to verify the

utilize PIDs (flagged faults). Bit-mapped DTCs are

operation of instrument cluster module components

conceptually different from the previous style of DTCs. and sub-systems.

Previously, DTCs identified a specific concern for a

given component and pointed to a particular

Restraints Control Module (RCM)

diagnostic path. In the diagnostic path, PIDs are

These commands allow the technician to verify

sometimes used to determine the root cause.

operation of the supplemental restraint system (SRS)

Bit-mapped DTCs do not identify the specific concern.

indicator lamps.

A bit-mapped DTC identifies the component(s) in

which the concern exists. The next level (PIDs or

Lamp Fault Codes

flagged faults) identifies the specific concern.

When the restraints control module (RCM) detects a

A scan tool must be used to view the PIDs (flagged

system fault, it will cause the airbag indicator to flash

faults) of a bit-mapped DTC. Once a scan tool has

a coded sequence; a lamp fault code (LFC). The code

retrieved a bit-mapped DTC, the scan tool will provide

is two digits. The first digit is flashed with a 0.5

the option to “FLAG” that DTC. When the option to

second interval between pulses. There is a 2 second

“FLAG” the DTC is available, it must be carried out to

pause before the second digit is flashed which also

identify the specific concern that is present. When the

has a 0.5 second interval between pulses. There is a

option to “FLAG” the DTC has been carried out, the

5 second pause between each display of an LFC.

scan tool will then display the PIDs (flagged faults) for

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