My air bag light on the dash will flash once then five times. It'll do this three times then stay on. Can anyone tell me what that means? Is it safe to drive or do I risk the airbags going off at anytime?

 

Can you confirm it is a 1-5 code, not a 5-1 code ?

Quick look, I cannot find a 15 code, 12 & 13 yes, 51 yes, but no 15.

 

According to the 2007 manual this code shows an incorrect module design level. According to the manual the possible causes a incorrect RCM for the vehicle, incorrect OCS system or a fault in the wiring, terminals and/or coonectors. It is probably the last item based on the fact of the age of the vehicle/ I would suggest taking to someone who can diagnose the SRS system because the pinpoint test involves numerous wire and connector testing to be done plus deactivating and reactivating the system and also some specific diagnostic tools. The manual does not state whether the system will work or not if it is not repaired. Probably not.

 

did you have the steering shaft disconnected for any reason? And allow for the wheel to spin in either direction?

I had this exact issue after a header install on my 04 Mustang (i'm assuming the ford design isn't that different) when I let the wheel spin too far in one direction while disconnected! Not paying attention to this I put it back together in the wrong spot...... which resulted in snapping the "Clock Spring" wires!

Had the same flash error...

Does your horn and cruz work?

I'm only guessing as it reminds me of the issue I had!

Hope you get it figured out!

Cheers

Nem

 

Nem, I haven't done anything with the steering, my horn and cruise all work. Nothing seems to be wrong except for that flashing SRS light. I hate to have to take it to the dealership. Any and all help is apprieciated. Thanks...

 

Just as an aside on all this - I'd have to guess that the "failure/failsafe" mode of the airbag system is to disable them. I can't believe the automakers would open themselves up to an "accidental" airbag deployment lawsuit. In fact, I read somewhere just a short time ago that many airbags on cars will not deploy - period. In the article it talked about "black market replacements", faulty installation, and so on.

Janet was recently rear-ended and pushed into the vehicle in front. Her airbags did not deploy, but her car was totaled. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

- Jack

 

Jack, it makes sense that the system would fail in the disabled mode rather than the other. As a Firefighter/EMT I've seen more air bag systems that didn't deploy the air bags than have. I've often wondered after serious impact why they didn't deploy. Thanks for your input, John

 

Good feedback, sixpack. Back when airbags were just starting out, I remember Lee Iaccoca saying, "I don't want this explosive thing sitting in front of my face while I'm driving!" (Or words to that effect). He was, of course, overruled, in spite of the fact that he raised valid concerns.

Now, of course, we NEVER hear of accidental airbag deployments, but we have heard of deaths to small people caused by their deployments in accidents. I wonder if there are any statistics on non-deployments?

Maybe you have to have a 60+ mph head-on crash to activate those things.

- Jack

 

Mine was less then 35 mph

 

Ugh! Makes me sorta sick just to see it. But, glad they worked for you.

My guess is, in Janet's case, the big acceleration was from the rear. The front hit, that probably deploys the airbags was fairly minor. Her driver's seat was broken from the rear impact - the back could not be raised from the "recline" position.

Still, you can't help but wonder about all this "engineering". We seem to be making things more and more complicated, don't we? Whatever happened to KISS?

Happy Holidays, to you SSCULLY, and a prosperous New Year!

- Jack