Impact Sensor: Description and Operation

NOTE: Ford provides conflicting information for it's Impact Sensor names and locations. The information for Locations, Service and Repair, and Testing is all that Ford provides at this time.







Sensors
The sensor assembly is an electrical switch which reacts to impacts according to direction and force. It discriminates between impacts that require air bag inflation and impacts that do not require air bag inflation. When an impact occurs that requires air bag inflation, the sensor contacts close, completing the electrical circuit necessary for system operation.

Four sensors are mounted in the vehicle. Their locations are as follows:
- Center Line Forward Crash Sensor
At the center of the radiator support.
- Right Forward Crash Sensor
At the RH side of the radiator support.
- Left Forward Crash Sensor
At the LH side of the radiator support.
- Air Bag Rear Sensor or Rear Safing Sensor
At the center cowl in the engine compartment.

At least two sensors, one safing, one front, must be activated simultaneously to inflate the air bag.