Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview

Airbag Diagnostic Trouble Codes
Airbag diagnostic trouble codes consist of active and stored codes. If more than one code exists, diagnostic priority should be given to the active codes.

Active diagnostic trouble codes for the airbag system are not permanent and will change the moment the reasoning for the code is corrected. In certain test procedures within this manual, diagnostic trouble codes are used as a diagnostic tool.


Actives Codes
The code becomes active as soon as the malfunction is detected or key-off, whichever occurs first.

An active trouble code indicates an on-going malfunction. This means that the defect is currently there every time the airbag control module checks that circuit/function. It is impossible to erase an active code; active codes automatically erase by themselves when the reason for the code has been corrected.

With the exception of the warning lamp trouble codes or malfunctions, when a malfunction is detected, the airbag lamp remains lit for a minimum of 12 seconds or as long as the malfunction is present.

The seat belt lamp replaces the airbag lamp if the airbag lamp is defective. The seat belt lamp pulses ON and OFF 30 times if the airbag warning lamp is defective.


Stored Codes
Airbag codes are automatically stored in the ACM's memory as soon as the malfunction is detected. The exception is the "Loss of Ignition Run Only" code which is an active code only.

A "stored" code indicates there was an active code present at some time. However, the code currently may not be present as an active code, although another active code could be.

When a trouble code occurs, the airbag warning lamp illuminates for 12 seconds minimum (even if the problem existed for less than 12 seconds). The code is stored, along with the time in minutes it was active, and the number of times the ignition has been cycled since the problem was last detected.

The minimum time shown for any code will be one minute, even if the code was actually present for less than one minute. Thus, the time shown for a code that was present for two minutes 12 seconds, for example, would be three minutes.

If a malfunction is detected a diagnostic trouble code is stored and will remain stored as long as the malfunction exists. When and if the malfunction-ceases to exist, an ignition cycle count will be initiated for that code. If the ignition cycle count reaches 100 without a re-occurrence of the same malfunction, the diagnostic trouble code is erased and that ignition cycle counter is reset to zero. If the malfunction reoccurs before the count reaches 100, then the ignition cycle counter will be reset and the diagnostic trouble code will continue to be a stored code.

If a malfunction is not active while performing a diagnostic test procedure, the active code diagnostic test will not locate the source of the problem. In this case, the stored code can indicate an area to inspect.

If no obvious problems are found, erase stored codes, and with the ignition "ON" wiggle the wire harness and connectors, rotate the steering wheel from stop to stop. Recheck for codes periodically as you work through the system. This procedure may uncover a malfunction that is difficult to locate.