Section 249 (Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System): Diagnostics: Self-Diagnostics

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Ford Focus. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

During vehicle operation, the Restraints Control Module (RCM) detects and stores both intermittent and hard failure codes in non-volatile memory. The RCM will also display a Light Flash Code (LFC) on the AIR BAG warning light. The DTCs can be retrieved with Worldwide Diagnostic System (WDS), New Generation Star (NGS) tester, or equivalent scan tool, using the retrieve/clear continuous codes option. If no DTCs are present, scan tool will display SYSTEM PASSED message. Once a fault code is logged in RCM memory, it will stay in memory until 100 ignition cycles have been recorded or until scan tool is used to erase the DTCs.

The on-demand self-test can be used to verify there are no electrical faults within air bag system. During this test, RCM will check each electrical component in system. If fault is detected, DTC is displayed on scan tool with brief description of fault. Faults detected during self-test are not stored in memory, unless same fault was detected during normal vehicle operation. Self-test should be run after service to verify operation.