Sorry for the dumb post everyone, but I can't PM yet.

Quintin, please check your e-mail.

Thanks

Todd

 

I'm just here for the posts credit!

 

padding my staaaaats!!

 

X2

 

ttt

 

heck.. why not. I'M IN

 

O.K. then. Can anybody help me out here ? Quintin has posted several times (seems like he knows alot about this) about the "Restraint Control Module" (RCM). It's mounted on the tranny hump, beneath the "20" part of the front seat.

My problem is that I'd like to mount my subwoofer enclosure above the RCM (using the area where the "20" portion of the front seat is).

Questions :

1) What exactly does the RCM do?

2) Will the subwoofer pounding directly over the RCM cause anything BAD to happen (like the airbags going-off, shutting down, etc.)?

3) If the answer to #2 is YES, What can I do with the RCM? Move it? Where?

Thanks in advance for the help all. Here's another chance to build-up your post counts.

Todd

 

Hmmm...that would suck if the poundin set off the air bags. *imagine* cruising down the road juts bumpin away, then BAM. You got smacked in the face with an air bag.

 

I don't think the RCM contains the sensors. I think that the RCM is like the brain and the airbag sensors are located in the front of the car, behind the bumper. I can't imagine that putting a subwoofer enclosure above the RCM would affect anything. Maybe Quintin will respond soon.

 

That's the impression that I get too. I searched and the info that I got seems to point toward this. I'm just trying to get "official" confirmation. I'm not gonna take the chance.

Thanks for the replies so far.

 

1. It monitors the operation of the airbag system. In the event of a crash, one of the primary crash sensors along with a sensor inside the RCM need to both close to cause an airbag to deploy. It also stores crash data upon impact, things like vehicle speed, whether or not there was an occupant in the passenger's seat, were the seat belt buckled, etc.

2. Probably. RCMs don't take well to impacts.

3. Nothing. The RCM is mounted in a very specific location from the factory for a reason. It has to be properly oriented and bolted down to function.

 

Thanks Quintin. That's what I was affraid of.

Do you think that mounting a board (like a piece of 1/2" or 3/4" MDF) between the sub and RCM would protect it enough from the pounding?

Thanks again

 

yeah, like when i hit that deer a few weeks ago, the crash investigator had ford read the RCMs data to see if i was telling the truth about how fast i was going. WHICH I WAS!

 

dayum... really?
suprized they didnt interview the deer's family too

 

I'm not sure. I've never tried testing the limits of abuse an RCM can take. For whatever it's worth, I think the shop manual says if the RCM is dropped from a height of like 2 feet or more (or something like that), it must be replaced. You can however take comfort in that it takes at least two sensors agreeing before an airbag is deployed, so I doubt you'll get blown up trying this.