Reading and Clearing Diagnostic Trouble Codes

- The diagnostic monitor illuminates the AIR BAG indicator for approximately 6 seconds when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position and then turns it off. This indicates that the AIR BAG indicator is operational. If the AIR BAG indicator does not illuminate or stays on or flashes at any time, a fault has been detected by the diagnostic monitor.
- Fault codes may not be displayed for approximately 16 seconds after the ignition switch has been switched to the ON position. This is the amount of time it takes the monitor to perform all tests and verify system faults, if present.
- Fault codes are displayed as a series of flashes and pauses of the air bag lamp. Each diagnostic trouble code, or series of flashes represent a two digit number. For example, a Diagnostic Trouble Code 32 is displayed as follows:

Flash flash flash - (one second pause) - flash flash - (three second pause)...
flash flash flash - (one second pause) - flash flash - (three second pause)...

- If a system fault exists and the AIR BAG Indicator is malfunctioning, an audible tone will be heard indicating the need for service. The tone is a series of five sets of five beeps. This DOES NOT indicate a diagnostic trouble code 55. It means that the indicator is out and a system fault exists that requires service.





- If a fault exists that makes unwanted air bag deployment possible, the air bag diagnostic monitor has an internal thermal fuse that will blow automatically. This removes all power to the air bag deployment circuit. The AIR BAG indicator will flash the appropriate code to indicate the suspect circuit.

The thermal fuse is controlled by the diagnostic monitor and is not serviceable.

NOTE: The thermal fuse does not blow because of excessive current flowing through it. DO NOT attempt to jumper out the thermal fuse with a circuit breaker of any other type of fuse.

- Fault codes are prioritized numerically so that if two or more different faults occur at the same time, the fault having the highest priority will be displayed first. The highest priority fault will be displayed until it is corrected. After if has been corrected, the next highest priority fault will be displayed.
- The air bag diagnostic monitor includes an internal back up power supply. This feature provides sufficient back up power to deploy the air bags in the event that the battery or battery cables are damaged in a collision before the crash sensors close. The back up power supply will deplete its stored energy approximately one minute after the positive battery cable is disconnected.

WARNING
- THE BACK UP POWER SUPPLY ENERGY MUST BE DEPLETED BEFORE ANY AIR BAG COMPONENT SERVICE IS PERFORMED. TO DEPLETE BACK UP POWER SUPPLY ENERGY, DISCONNECT THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND WAIT ONE MINUTE.
- THE AIR BAG SIMULATOR(S) MUST BE REMOVED AND THE AIR BAG(S) RECONNECTED BEFORE THE SYSTEM IS REACTIVATED.