2002 intentionally disabled the driver side air bag

[ktdenn]

Hello everyone,

I have recently come into possession of a 2002 T bird. The elderly previous owner has informed me that she paid a auto repair shop in her small town to disable the driver side air bag. Her reason for this was because she often drove the car with her small lap dog(s) in her lap and was afraid the dog(s) would be harmed if the air bag went off.

I was shocked that a car shop would even consider doing this without installing a key switch but she is certain they disabled the bag without installing a switch in the car. The air bag warning light is on and the computer has a stored code B1932 "Driver air bag resistance high". The air bag fuse does appear to be in place.

Would anyone have any suggestions on a starting point as to how to re-enable the driver air bag?


Thanks in advance for any help with this,

Ken D

 

[medurham]

Hi resistance would mean an open circuit. You'll have to look at the wiring diagram to establish wire color and locations of components and then follow the circuit to find the open spot. They may have just disconnected and protected a wire somewhere, or inserted a blown fuse in that spot?
And of course check the other threads here in the forum to see if there are any tidbits of information to use.
If it were me and I was going to do something like this, as a mechanic, I would not sabotage any of the circuit, just open it, so it could be corrected easily at a later date. Happy Hunting!

 

[Frankie the Fink]

So this person, engaging in the dangerous practice of fondling a pet while driving compounds the safety issues by disabling an air bag. Makes perfect sense.

 

[74 Harley]

Disconnect the battery,wait 10 minutes and remove the airbag from the steering wheel. More than likely you just need to plug it in.

 

[Grumpy Rick]

Is there a fuse for the air bag??

 

[doug7740]

Hi resistance would mean an open circuit. You'll have to look at the wiring diagram to establish wire color and locations of components and then follow the circuit to find the open spot.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[RhuntIII]

Hello everyone,

I have recently come into possession of a 2002 T bird. The elderly previous owner has informed me that she paid a auto repair shop in her small town to disable the driver side air bag. Her reason for this was because she often drove the car with her small lap dog(s) in her lap and was afraid the dog(s) would be harmed if the air bag went off.

I was shocked that a car shop would even consider doing this without installing a key switch but she is certain they disabled the bag without installing a switch in the car. The air bag warning light is on and the computer has a stored code B1932 "Driver air bag resistance high". The air bag fuse does appear to be in place.

Would anyone have any suggestions on a starting point as to how to re-enable the driver air bag?


Thanks in advance for any help with this,

Ken D

Ken,
So what did you end up doing on your airbag repair? I wonder if I now own your car? lol, but seriously.

 

[RhuntIII]

Also, With your airbag warning light on did your horn work?