Just finished a successful heater core replacement on my '99 F150. Of course, much electrical had to be disconnected/reconnected to move the dash. Two problems resulted:

1) my airbag isn't being recognized anymore,

2) (kinda funny) when I hit the brakes, the interior lights come on very dim.

Suggestions? I'm thinking poor ground on the light thing, but have no clue on the airbag.

Thanks,

Qdude

 

I would guess that you forgot to plug the air bag back in.. Check behind the glovebox on the pass side, that's usually the one left unplugged.

Try disconnecting your brake lamp switch at the brake pedal and see if it changes. If it doesnt light up your dome lamps, then you probably have a short somewhere.
If you are not much on electrical, I would recommend taking this to someone who is.

 

Pull the left kick panell behind e brake check for loose or missing ground wire should be attached in this area, also check for one behind the rt kick pannel.

 

It was the kick panel ground, and that is now fixed. I've narrowed the air bag problem to the faulty light in the switch. Ford says they're not serviceable, but I've got $5, a Radio Shack, and a soldering gun that says it is. Get back to you all w/ results.

 

I'm surprised that your Ford dealer is so unconcerned about the air bag. I'd go elsewhere. You need to know that the bag/sensor is working.

 

I haven't contacted a dealer about it, just read other posts that say Ford recommends replacing the entire switch at about 90 bones. Did the heater core myself. Seemingly exhausted all other possibilities. If it's not the light, I've wasted $1.25 and ~20 minutes. No biggie. Just don't want to fork out more $$ to Ford for poor engineering. Having owned a Taurus before, I don't understand how these guys can look themselves in the mirror knowing that so many people have the same problems but they don't stand by their product. I don't think I could do that for a living. I'm sure it occurs to their techs, too.

 

DING DING YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Hey FMT (or anyone else for that matter)-

I'm still getting a code 27 on the airbag after doing this core. Checked all connections (that I tampered with) and even replaced the small indicator light in the switch. Where to now?

Thanks,
Qdude

 

TTT

 

From what the code shows I would suspect that possasbly a wire got pinched behind a screw somwhere. That 27 code isolates the passenger deactivation switch. the diagnostics say short to battervoltage (doubtful) or short to ground, With all the hidden areas possable. the only thing that i could recomend is to pull any pannels that you can to see wiring and trace that wire and look for a screw pinching some whires ir a screw that may have been too long and went into a harness some where.