Air Bag Systems - Manual Update

90ford28 Article No. 90-18B-4
^ SHOP MANUAL-1989-CLARIFICATIONS, CORRECTIONS, AND ADDITIONAL WARNINGS FOR SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

^ SHOP MANUAL-1990-CLARIFICATIONS, CORRECTIONS, AND ADDITIONAL WARNINGS FOR SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
FORD: 1989-90 TEMPO 1990 CROWN VICTORIA, MUSTANG, TAURUS

LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1989-90 CONTINENTAL, TOPAZ 1990 GRAND MARQUIS, MARK VII, SABLE, TOWN CAR
ISSUE: Clarifications, corrections, and additional warnings are being incorporated into the 1989 and 1990 Shop Manuals for all vehicles equipped with Supplemental Air Bag Restraint Systems. The following Shop Manuals are affected:

^ 1990 Lincoln Town Car/Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis
^ 1990 Mark VII

^ 1990 Mustang

^ 1989 Tempo/Topaz

^ 1990 Tempo/Topaz

^ 1990 Taurus/Sable

^ 1989 Continental

^ 1990 Continental
ACTION: Refer to the additional warnings, shown below, which must be followed to safely perform disassembly, assembly, and service on the steering column, horn, speed control, and instrument panel. Also refer to the pages following this TSB article for updated information provided for Section 41-58 of each applicable vehicle Shop Manual.

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES: 190000
WARNING: When performing service procedures given in applicable 1989 and 1990 Shop Manuals that require either partial disassembly or removal of components associated with the Air Bag Restraint System, ALWAYS DISCONNECT THE BACKUP POWER SUPPLY in addition to disconnecting the battery ground cable. This applies to procedures given in Steering Column (Section 13-04), Horn (Section 35-80), Speed Control (Section 37-05), and; for Lincoln Town Car and Continental Models equipped with a passenger side air bag, Instrument Panel (Section 45-61). This insures that electrical potential is removed from all circuits that enable the air bag restraint system.

WARNING: When deactivating the air bag restraint system on Lincoln Town Car and Continental Models equipped with driver and passenger side air bags, BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS MUST BE DISCONNECTED. Disconnection MUST be completed before the battery ground cable and backup power supply are reconnected for performing diagnostic procedures listed in the Shop Manual. This insures that the technician is not inside the vehicle at any time with a live air bag in the system.