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Airbag Light Steadily On?

Tiny
RAYWAI
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 4.6L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 155,000 MILES
Airbag Light On. I removed the airbag just to make sure it wasn't a loose connection into the clock spring, but everything seemed to be okay. See pictures. All the other electronics (cruise control, horn) on the wheel that connect via the clock spring work normally.

The light is seemingly random as to when it is on vs off. But when it comes on, it typically stays on solid until the car is turned off. There are times I will get in the car and start it and immediately the light will come on solid. Other times I will get in, start it, and it will come on 10ish minutes into my drive. And other times I will go for a drive, and it won't come on at all.

See pictures/videos. Not exactly sure what to do next and messing around with safety sensitive components makes me a little nervous - I want to make sure the airbags would actually go off if needed! Thanks in advance for the help.
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Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024 AT 12:25 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

As far as your concerns, they are good ones. You don't want the airbag going off.

The idea that the light comes on after a while of driving could be a sensor issue. If the other things that function via the clock spring are functional, the spring is good.

What you need to do is scan the can-bus to see if there are any codes related. When I say can-bus, I'm referring to the controller area network. Basically, the different modules are tied together via a few wires. This type of scan will retrieve codes regardless of the module storing them.

Here is a link that explains how it's done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

If the light is on when driving, the airbag is disabled and will not function in the event of an accident. I would start by checking if there are relevant codes. Otherwise, it will become a guessing game.

Let me know if this is something you can do or have done.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024 AT 6:55 PM
Tiny
RAYWAI
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Hey Joe, thanks for the message.

I actually already have an OBD2 scan tool from working on a friend's vehicle, but my 95 Cougar doesn’t have an OBD2 port. I assume it has OBD1 but I have never had to use it previously. Google suggests it might be located under the hood and that I might be able to use an adapter similar to the one linked below to use the scanner I already have?

https://www.amazon.com/MOTOKU-Adapter-Scanner-Diagnostic-Connector/dp/B07H7FWP24/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=obd1+scanner&qid=1704298579&sr=8-9
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Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024 AT 8:21 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
You could give it a try. If your scan tool can read codes via the can-bus, in theory, it should work.

Here is a link that explains how to retrieve codes without a scan tool on the OBD1 system. I don't know if you tried this already.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/ford-lincoln-mercury-obd1-1995-and-earlier-diagnostic-trouble-code-definition-and-retrieval

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024 AT 1:37 PM
Tiny
RAYWAI
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
So, turns out I actually have some limited version of OBD2 on this car, found the port under the passenger glove box. But I suspect it is not the full OBD2 as using my code scanner it reads no codes even with the airbag light on. There are also some other features on my scanner that appear limited when plugged into my vehicle.

Not sure if there is a different scan tool, I should try that better supports the unknown & limited version of OBD2 that I have?

I linked the scan tool I am using below.

MOTOPOWER MP69033 Car OBD2 Scanner Code Reader Engine Fault Scanner CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool for All OBD II Protocol Cars Since 1996, Yellow https://a.co/d/2HPEE9y
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Thursday, January 4th, 2024 AT 11:00 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

You will likely need a scanner that can read the can-bus. CAN stands for controller area network. Basically, the different modules are tied together via a few wires so they can communicate back and forth. This type of scan will retrieve codes regardless of the module storing it. Note: that it is on an OBD2 system.

Here is the link again showing how it works:.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy
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Thursday, January 4th, 2024 AT 5:38 PM
Tiny
RAYWAI
  • MEMBER
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Got it, so you are suggesting trying the AL319 code reader linked in that article?

Autel Professional OBD2 Scanner AL319 Code Reader, Enhanced Check and Reset Engine Fault Code, Live Data, Freeze Frame, CAN Car Diagnostic Scan Tools for All OBDII Vehicles After 1996, 2024 Upgraded https://a.co/d/hHes14k
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Friday, January 5th, 2024 AT 3:04 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

You should be able to use any scanner that can read CAN codes. I looked at the link you sent, and from what I'm reading, it should work. Please understand I've never used one, but it should do the job if it can read CAN codes.

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, January 5th, 2024 AT 11:07 PM

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