Air Bag Code 34

[blackdog]

Ok, I've searched a bit, but the search engine excludes "34" from my search b/c it's too short. argh.

So my airbag light is flashing and indicates code 34. I know this means, "Driver Side Air Bag Circuit Low Resistance or Shorted" So next question, uh...what do I do with that info? Do I need to take off the steering wheel and look for a corroded wire? I just don't quite know how to begin on this one.

[blackdog]

anyone?

[miesk5]

yo,
this is by our pal RLA2005 posted elsewhere ( I will never cite that Forum's URL here because the site owner is a whack job)

"...PINPOINT TEST 34: DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG CIRCUIT LOW RESISTANCE OR SHORTED (CODE 34)
Normal Operation
The air bag diagnostic monitor measures the resistance across Pin 10, Circuit 615 (GY/W) and Pin 11, Circuit 614 (GY/O) every time the key is turned to RUN. Normal resistance across these circuits is between 1.5 and 2.0 ohms. This resistance comes from the driver side air bag module (approximately 1.0 ohm) and the windings of the air bag sliding contact (0.25 to 0.5 ohm per winding, two windings in all). If the resistance across these two circuits is less than 0.7 ohm, the air bag diagnostic monitor will flash Code 34 on the air bag lamp.
The connectors for the driver side air bag module and the air bag sliding contact have metal spring clips that act as shorting bars. These shorting bars are built into the plastic hardshell connectors. The shorting bars are designed to short Circuits 614 and 615 together when the connectors are not mated. Do not attempt to remove the air bag shorting bar and measure the resistance of the air bag. The air bag sliding contact shorting bar may be removed to measure the resistance of the air bag sliding contact. Use extreme care when reinstalling the shorting bar to make sure it is installed correctly.

Possible Causes
Low resistance across Pins 10 and 11 can be caused by:
(1) A poorly mated connector on the air bag sliding contact may not push the shorting bars back into their fully retracted positions.
(2) A faulty shorting bar may short Circuits 614 and 615 together.
(3) A short in the air bag sliding contact windings between Circuits 614 and 615.
(4) A short across the terminals within the driver side air bag module. DO NOT attempt a direct resistance measurement of the driver side air bag module. Follow the diagnostic procedures to determine if the driver side air bag module resistance is lower than normal.

34-1 CHECK FOR DTC 34
Key to RUN.
Count diagnostic trouble code (if any).
Is Code 34 flashing?

Yes
GO to «34-2».

No
READ the normal operation description for this code.

EXAMINE the code schematic and LOOK for areas where intermittent problems would occur (connectors, splices, crimps, etc.). DO NOT PROCEED with pinpoint test until the code is flashing! Failure to do so will result in needless replacement of the air bag diagnostic monitor and repeat service.

This drawing from subford might help


Look at location F3 for the airbag module. You might be able to get to it from under the dash
remove a battery terminal then wait 30 minutes before attempting any work on the airbag circuits. Good luck..."

========


94-96 Airbag Circuit
by Ford via Steve83

[jowens1126]

I need to revive this old thread. Im getting Airbag code 34. Have been for months, but I just have ignored it. Now that I have 111 on my engine I wanna get this sorted.

I replaced the clock spring about 9 months ago. Initially I had no codes after that, but a month after I would get this code from time to time. Its still pretty much like that about 3 or 4 times a week it will blink code 34.

It seems like the shorting pins are where I need to look to start with. Can anyone tell me where those are? Have any pictures of the shorting pins?

Thanks

[jowens1126]

bump!

[miesk5]

Yo J,
The connectors for the air bag diagnostic monitor and the air bag sliding contact have metal spring clips that act as shorting bars. These shorting bars are built into the plastic hardshell connectors. The shorting bars are designed to short Circuits 614 and 615 together when the connectors are not mated. Do not attempt to remove the air bag shorting bar and measure the resistance of the driver side air bag module.



Diagnostic Monitor Thermal Fuse Replacement Video
by pfun41 at youtube.com
MIESK5 Note, Suggest Right Clicking this Hot Link & Open in New Window
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RaG_Fx3kPc&lr=1

[jowens1126]

Where should I look for problems to resolve this?
Pull the airbag, and make sure the connections are really tight?
Then Check the connections from the steering wheel to the Dash Harness?

[miesk5]

yo J,
The RLA PINPOINT TEST 34 is about the best to use

[jowens1126]

Ok so, pull the airbag and disconnect it, test resistance across the GY/O and GY/W wires coming off the clock spring with key in the run position. this should give me .5 - 1.0 ohms?
then test the airbag itself and that should be 1 ohm?

[miesk5]

yo J,

Here is the entire Code 34 Pin-Point TestEXCERPTs;

34-2 MEASURE RESISTANCE

Turn ignition switch to OFF.

Deactivate system. Leave driver side air bag harness connector empty. (DO NOT install air bag simulator.)

Disconnect air bag diagnostic monitor .

Remove plastic locking wedge from black harness connector.

Measure resistance across Pin 11 (Circuit 614, GY/O) and Pin 10 (Circuit 615, GY/W).

Is resistance across Pins 10 and 11 infinite (open)?

[jowens1126]

Thank you again mr Miesk!

[DNBELOWBRONCO]

http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...98#post3009898
This link I posted showed (member) pfun41 replacing the thermal fuse for $3.00 and it was easy to follow and looked just as easy to do/learn hands on...... -Kevin-

[genmischief]

Originally Posted by miesk5

Do not attempt to remove the air bag shorting bar and measure the resistance of the driver side air bag module.

BOOM.

Out of curiosity, how much V does it take to trigger a reaction from the airbag?

[jowens1126]

I think If you hit a airbag sensor with a hammer it would activate. I believe its a simple crush circuit, not a shock/G sensor, but dont quote me on that.

[genmischief]

Originally Posted by jowens1126

I think If you hit a airbag sensor with a hammer it would activate. I believe its a simple crush circuit, not a shock/G sensor, but dont quote me on that.

*** EDIT: Thank you very much for you answer! I honestly appreciate the kind response. I had my feathers ruffled a bit here recently so I apologize if my first reply was a bit brusk.***

Right, i get that. A force sensor somewhere trips and voltage is sent to the air bag. I was curious if there was a minimum voltage to trigger the reaction.

Like would 6VDC trigger it, but it wouldn't fire as energetically? Would it only fire for 12VDC or more?

I know its a little off topic, and I apologize, but curiosity overcame me. And I also freely admit that I did not Search for an answer to that one.

[jowens1126]

From broncolinks.com

" primary crash sensors and brackets are located on the left and right front radiator supports. Rear Air Bag Sensor and Bracket Assembly (also called the Safing Sensor) is at the base of the RH (passenger side) B Pillar. The safing and one of the primary sensors must be activated simultaneously to inflate the air bag.
Source: by miesk5 at Ford Bronco Zone Forums"

So In Order to activate the airbags, you have to SIMULTANEOUSLY crush one of the front crash sensors, AND trip the Saffing Sensor (Motion/G Sensor).

[DNBELOWBRONCO]

Originally Posted by jowens1126

From broncolinks.com

" primary crash sensors and brackets are located on the left and right front radiator supports. Rear Air Bag Sensor and Bracket Assembly (also called the Safing Sensor) is at the base of the RH (passenger side) B Pillar. The safing and one of the primary sensors must be activated simultaneously to inflate the air bag.
Source: by miesk5 at Ford Bronco Zone Forums"

So In Order to activate the airbags, you have to SIMULTANEOUSLY crush one of the front crash sensors, AND trip the Saffing Sensor (Motion/G Sensor).

Oh, that's good info about the safing sensor. When I wheel I unplug one of the white connectors on the inside top of the radiator support. If any part of the airbag system is malfunctioning the entire system deactivates and will not deploy the airbag. It's quick and easy and I learned about it by Steve (steve83) years ago. -Kevin-

[jowens1126]

Funny thing, ive been in 3 crashes that were faster than 30MPH, and none of those times did an airbag deploy. Makes me wonder WTF you have to do to get those things to pop. Or if they even work, lol.

[jowens1126]

just in case anyone wanted to see what the Shorting Pins look like, I took this picture from the back of the airbag connector.
[IMG][/IMG]

[miesk5]

yo J, Thanks for the pic!

Here is the skinny by Ford;
"...The connectors for the driver side air bag module and the air bag sliding contact have metal spring clips that act as shorting bars. These shorting bars are built into the plastic hardshell connectors. The shorting bars are designed to short Circuits 614 and 615 together when the connectors are not mated. Do not attempt to remove the air bag shorting bar and measure the resistance of the air bag. The air bag sliding contact shorting bar may be removed to measure the resistance of the air bag sliding contact. Use extreme care when reinstalling the shorting bar to make sure it is installed correctly..."