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  #1  
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avalanche*
 
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Default flashing airbag light - 12-06-2006 , 12:32 AM






Yes I asked before. 93 Taurus wagon 3.0.

Since dead/replaced battery maybe 2 mos ago my airbag light flashes
while I'm driving. One flash - 2 sec. - 2 flashes - 5 sec - repeat.
(Actually it began after I had to jump it before I repaced battery -
it was so dead it wouldn't hold a drive-awhile charge, and had to jump
again to get to Auto Zone

Prior replies (appreciated) told me-
-code 12 - whatever that means
-watch out, it could blow, get service
-won't deploy in a crash if it's flashing
-takes maybe 40 starts for it to know to reset to normal

It's still doing it (yes, more than 40 starts). It hasn't blown up
by surprise, but I'd like it fixed without going to pay a Ford
dealer's price.

Ideas appreciated. It's been a good car.

Brad

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  #2  
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Picasso
 
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Default Re: flashing airbag light - 12-06-2006 , 04:43 AM






avalanche* wrote:
Quote:
Yes I asked before. 93 Taurus wagon 3.0.

Since dead/replaced battery maybe 2 mos ago my airbag light flashes
while I'm driving. One flash - 2 sec. - 2 flashes - 5 sec - repeat.
(Actually it began after I had to jump it before I repaced battery -
it was so dead it wouldn't hold a drive-awhile charge, and had to jump
again to get to Auto Zone

Prior replies (appreciated) told me-
-code 12 - whatever that means
-watch out, it could blow, get service
-won't deploy in a crash if it's flashing
-takes maybe 40 starts for it to know to reset to normal

It's still doing it (yes, more than 40 starts). It hasn't blown up
by surprise, but I'd like it fixed without going to pay a Ford
dealer's price.

Ideas appreciated. It's been a good car.

Brad
just unhook 'er, and quit worrying?


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  #3  
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Jeff
 
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Default Re: flashing airbag light - 12-06-2006 , 06:59 AM




"Picasso" <Picasso (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote

Quote:
avalanche* wrote:
Yes I asked before. 93 Taurus wagon 3.0. Since dead/replaced battery
maybe 2 mos ago my airbag light flashes
while I'm driving. One flash - 2 sec. - 2 flashes - 5 sec - repeat.
(Actually it began after I had to jump it before I repaced battery -
it was so dead it wouldn't hold a drive-awhile charge, and had to jump
again to get to Auto Zone

Prior replies (appreciated) told me-
-code 12 - whatever that means
-watch out, it could blow, get service
-won't deploy in a crash if it's flashing
-takes maybe 40 starts for it to know to reset to normal

It's still doing it (yes, more than 40 starts). It hasn't blown up
by surprise, but I'd like it fixed without going to pay a Ford
dealer's price.

Ideas appreciated. It's been a good car.

Brad

just unhook 'er, and quit worrying?
Actually, I believe that unhooking an airbag is dangerous. It could go off
when you are unhooking it.

More importantly, it won't go off in a crash.

On the other hand, not all people who claim that have fixed an airbag have
done so honestly. They might just unhook the airbag and charge you a
fortune.

Jeff




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  #4  
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Bob Urz
 
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Default Re: flashing airbag light - 12-06-2006 , 08:06 AM





avalanche* wrote:

Quote:
Yes I asked before. 93 Taurus wagon 3.0.

Since dead/replaced battery maybe 2 mos ago my airbag light flashes
while I'm driving. One flash - 2 sec. - 2 flashes - 5 sec - repeat.
(Actually it began after I had to jump it before I repaced battery -
it was so dead it wouldn't hold a drive-awhile charge, and had to jump
again to get to Auto Zone

Prior replies (appreciated) told me-
-code 12 - whatever that means
-watch out, it could blow, get service
-won't deploy in a crash if it's flashing
-takes maybe 40 starts for it to know to reset to normal

It's still doing it (yes, more than 40 starts). It hasn't blown up
by surprise, but I'd like it fixed without going to pay a Ford
dealer's price.

Ideas appreciated. It's been a good car.

Brad
Are bag codes:

http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/modu...hold=0&sid=119

12 Low Battery Voltage

Recheck all grounds under the hood. Take them off and clean them if
necessary. Clean the battery cables and have the battery and alternator
checked. If all is OK, then its probably the air bag diagnostic module.
Its in a blue module behind the glove box. I might have a spare.

Bob



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  #5  
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Fordfan
 
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Default Re: flashing airbag light - 12-07-2006 , 03:24 AM



Jeff wrote:
Quote:
"Picasso" <Picasso (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:x9xdh.29235$cz.440136 (AT) ursa-nb00s0 (DOT) nbnet.nb.ca...

avalanche* wrote:

Yes I asked before. 93 Taurus wagon 3.0. Since dead/replaced battery
maybe 2 mos ago my airbag light flashes
while I'm driving. One flash - 2 sec. - 2 flashes - 5 sec - repeat.
(Actually it began after I had to jump it before I repaced battery -
it was so dead it wouldn't hold a drive-awhile charge, and had to jump
again to get to Auto Zone

Prior replies (appreciated) told me-
-code 12 - whatever that means
-watch out, it could blow, get service
-won't deploy in a crash if it's flashing
-takes maybe 40 starts for it to know to reset to normal

It's still doing it (yes, more than 40 starts). It hasn't blown up
by surprise, but I'd like it fixed without going to pay a Ford
dealer's price.

Ideas appreciated. It's been a good car.

Brad

just unhook 'er, and quit worrying?


Actually, I believe that unhooking an airbag is dangerous. It could go off
when you are unhooking it.

More importantly, it won't go off in a crash.

On the other hand, not all people who claim that have fixed an airbag have
done so honestly. They might just unhook the airbag and charge you a
fortune.

Jeff
It's not only dangerous but probably illegal. I'm sure a car owner's
insurance company would cancel the policy and/or refuse to cover any
personal injury to the occupants in an accident, if they found that the
airbag system had been intentionally disabled.


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  #6  
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Tom The Great
 
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Default Re: flashing airbag light - 12-07-2006 , 12:38 PM



On Wed, 06 Dec 2006 01:32:01 -0500, avalanche* <snonews06 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com>
wrote:

Quote:
Yes I asked before. 93 Taurus wagon 3.0.

Since dead/replaced battery maybe 2 mos ago my airbag light flashes
while I'm driving. One flash - 2 sec. - 2 flashes - 5 sec - repeat.
(Actually it began after I had to jump it before I repaced battery -
it was so dead it wouldn't hold a drive-awhile charge, and had to jump
again to get to Auto Zone

Prior replies (appreciated) told me-
-code 12 - whatever that means
-watch out, it could blow, get service
-won't deploy in a crash if it's flashing
-takes maybe 40 starts for it to know to reset to normal

It's still doing it (yes, more than 40 starts). It hasn't blown up
by surprise, but I'd like it fixed without going to pay a Ford
dealer's price.

Ideas appreciated. It's been a good car.

Brad

IMHO, if you have any type of warning that suggests that a safety
device is failing, you need to have it fixed asap.

later,

tom @ www.CarFleaMarket.com




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  #7  
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Bob Urz
 
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Default Re: flashing airbag light - 12-08-2006 , 01:43 AM





Neill Massello wrote:
Quote:
avalanche* <snonews06 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote:


It's still doing it (yes, more than 40 starts). It hasn't blown up
by surprise, but I'd like it fixed without going to pay a Ford
dealer's price.

Ideas appreciated. It's been a good car.


Take your Taurus to a Ford dealer. Without the code from the on-board
diagnostic system, fixing it will be a matter of trial and error that
could end up costing much more than the dealer would have charged.
He does have the code from the diagnostic system. Its 12. This is a pre
OBDII car. The blinking airbag light tells what you need to start.
shotimes.com has the air bag codes listed.


An
Quote:
airbag light could mean there's a problem with some other component of
the restraint system, such as a seat belt. The OBD diagnosis shouldn't
cost more than $50 and you can then make a decision on the basis of
information rather than speculation.

When dealing with a 13 year old car that is not worth much more than
$1000 a repair bill of $300 to $400 dollars for the ford dealer to do
the air bag module is probably not a viable thing. My guess is it would
cost that much if you had the dealer do the whole shibang and put in a
new module (if it was even available). Its no worse than driving a pre
90 model that had no bags at all.


I would find a donor car and swap parts after some basic trouble
shooting. The factory shop manual is a help if you study it and
understand electrical. I fixed the air bags on my 90 and 93. You have to
be careful, but its possible if you do your research. And i did it with
all salvaged parts.

Bob

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  #8  
Old   
Picasso
 
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Default Re: flashing airbag light - 12-08-2006 , 03:56 AM



if i have any problems with the airbag in my 93 ford, i wont be fixing
them, back then there were neither reliable, nor as safe as the bags we
have today.

Jeff wrote:
Quote:
"Picasso" <Picasso (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:x9xdh.29235$cz.440136 (AT) ursa-nb00s0 (DOT) nbnet.nb.ca...
avalanche* wrote:
Yes I asked before. 93 Taurus wagon 3.0. Since dead/replaced battery
maybe 2 mos ago my airbag light flashes
while I'm driving. One flash - 2 sec. - 2 flashes - 5 sec - repeat.
(Actually it began after I had to jump it before I repaced battery -
it was so dead it wouldn't hold a drive-awhile charge, and had to jump
again to get to Auto Zone

Prior replies (appreciated) told me-
-code 12 - whatever that means
-watch out, it could blow, get service
-won't deploy in a crash if it's flashing
-takes maybe 40 starts for it to know to reset to normal

It's still doing it (yes, more than 40 starts). It hasn't blown up
by surprise, but I'd like it fixed without going to pay a Ford
dealer's price.

Ideas appreciated. It's been a good car.

Brad
just unhook 'er, and quit worrying?

Actually, I believe that unhooking an airbag is dangerous. It could go off
when you are unhooking it.

More importantly, it won't go off in a crash.

On the other hand, not all people who claim that have fixed an airbag have
done so honestly. They might just unhook the airbag and charge you a
fortune.

Jeff



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  #9  
Old   
Bob Urz
 
Posts: n/a

Default Re: flashing airbag light - 12-08-2006 , 09:17 AM





Neill Massello wrote:
Quote:
Bob Urz <sound (AT) inetnebr (DOT) com> wrote:


He does have the code from the diagnostic system.


No, he doesn't. He hasn't had the OBD checked. Somebody on Usenet
guessed that the code was 12.


Yes he does. Do you have a taurus of that vintage and a shop manual?
I do. The green Ford 1993 shop manual in fact. When the "air bag
diagnostic module" detects a problem, it flashes the two digit error
codes on the dashes "air bag light". No user intervention is required
for this to happen. The op stated what the blink sequence was. It just
a matter of looking it up in the manual or go to shotimes.com
for a list of the codes. Can you explain to me what other codes are
going to be found and how on a 93?





Quote:
When dealing with a 13 year old car that is not worth much more than
$1000 a repair bill of $300 to $400 dollars for the ford dealer to do
the air bag module is probably not a viable thing.


That's why the actual problem should be nailed down from the diagnostic
before any time or money is spent replacing parts.


I would not recommend buying new parts. And trouble shooting the systems
can be challenging. It took me a while to get mine fixed. The system
should be powered down with the battery power removed for a hour before
any work is done on the system. The air bag schematics are in section 46
in the EVTM manual. As long as the power is good on pins 13 and 1, my
guess is the module is bad. Other common problems are bad clock spring
and bad grounds on the under hood modules.


If the owner wants the piece of mind of a ford dealer diagnosis, Heh, go
for it. But i doubt he is going to find out much more than he knows now.

When you own a car that old, if you don't do your own maintenance it
will nickel and dime you to death in repair bills quickly. On a taurus
that old, try motor mounts, water pump, radiator, plug wires and TFI
module, rack stuff, brakes, and the list goes on. And even that adds
up even if you do it yourself.

Bob

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