Continuous Air Bag Indicator

Diagnostic Monitor Disconnected or Inoperative

Normal Operation

The air bag indicator is designed to light for 6 (± 2) seconds when the ignition key is turned to the ON position. This initial 6 seconds of air bag indicator illumination (continuous lamp) is considered normal operation and is called "prove-out" of the air bag indicator. If the diagnostic monitor detects any faults in the air bag system following prove out, it will flash the air bag indicator a series of times to indicate the Diagnostic Trouble Code that has been detected. If the air bag indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to the ON position and stays on for more than 8 seconds continuously, then a fault exists in the air bag indicator circuit.

The air bag diagnostic monitor uses a solid state circuit that shorts the air bag indicator Circuit 608 (BK/Y) to ground to turn the air bag indicator on. When the Gray diagnostic monitor harness connector is unplugged from the diagnostic monitor, a shorting bar within the harness connector connects Pins 4 (air bag indicator) and 5 (ground) together. Therefore, the shorting bar will turn the air bag indicator on whenever the Gray diagnostic monitor harness connector is disconnected. Because the shorting bar makes a continuous connection between Pins 4 and 5 when the connector is disconnected, the air bag indicator will not flash—instead, it will glow continuously.

When the ignition key is turned ON, the diagnostic monitor "wakes up" and after approximately 6 seconds turns the air bag indicator OFF. If the diagnostic monitor fails to "wake up", the lamp driver circuit will automatically turn the air bag indicator ON continuously indicating a concern in the air bag diagnostic monitor or at the Gray diagnostic monitor connector.

Possible Causes

Continuous illumination of the air bag indicator can be caused by:

1. A disconnected or poorly connected diagnostic monitor may not push the shorting bar between Pins 4 and 5 into its fully retracted position. This shorts the air bag indicator circuit to ground and causes the air bag indicator to glow continuously.

2. Shorted air bag indicator wiring.

3. A damaged diagnostic monitor.

CONTINUOUS AIR BAG INDICATOR

CAB-1 CHECK IF DIAGNOSTIC MODULE IS CONNECTED

• Deactivate system.

• Inspect connectors on diagnostic monitor.

• Are connectors fully pushed together?

GO to CAB-2.

No
Firmly MATE connectors to diagnostic monitor. RECONNECT system. VERIFY system. REACTIVATE system.

 

CAB-2 CHECK FOR SHORTED LAMP WIRING

• Disconnect diagnostic monitor.

• Remove plastic locking wedge from Gray diagnostic monitor harness connector.

• Turn ignition switch to RUN.

• Is air bag indicator on?

Yes
SERVICE short to ground in Circuit 608 (BK/Y) between lamp and diagnostic monitor. RECONNECT system. VERIFY system. REACTIVATE system.

No
GO to CAB-3.

 

CAB-3 INSPECT SHORTING BAR

• Inspect shorting bars on plastic locking wedge for proper operation.

• Is shorting bar in good working order?

Yes
REPLACE diagnostic monitor. RECONNECT system. VERIFY system. REACTIVATE system.

No
REPLACE plastic locking wedge. Make sure replacement has shorting bars on the locking wedge. RECONNECT system. VERIFY system. REACTIVATE system.

---