DTC 32: Driver Side Air Bag Circuit High Resistance or Open

Electrical Schematic:

Normal Operation
The air bag diagnostic monitor measures the resistance across pin 10 (circuit 937 "GY") and pin 11 (circuit 944A "GN/W") every time the ignition switch is turned to the ON position. Normal resistance across these circuits is between 1.5 ohms and 2.0 ohms. This resistance comes from the air bag itself (approximately 1.0 ohm) and the air bag sliding contact windings (approximately 0.25 ohm to 0.5 ohm per winding, two windings in all) and the center cowl safing rear air bag sensor (approximately 0.2 ohm). If the resistance across these three circuits exceeds 4.0 ohms, the air bag diagnostic monitor will flash a code 32.

NOTE: The connectors for the air bag and the air bag sliding contact have metal spring clips that act as shorting bars. These shorting bars are built into the plastic hardshell connectors. The shorting bars are designed to short circuits 938 and 937 together when the connectors are not mated. Do not attempt to remove the air bag shorting bar and measure the resistance of the air bag.

The air bag sliding contact shorting bar may be removed to measure the air bag sliding contact resistance. Use extreme care when reinstalling the shorting bar to make sure it is installed correctly.

Possible Causes
Excessive resistance across pins 10 and 11 can be caused by:
1. A poor connection where the air bag sliding contact connects into the main wiring harness. The air bag sliding contact connector at the base of the steering column may have excessive resistance between the male and female terminals in the connector.
2. An open circuit or high resistance in the air bag sliding contact windings inside the air bag sliding contact.
3. An open circuit or high resistance in the wiring harness in either circuit 937 ("GY") or circuit 944A ("GN/W").
4. An open circuit or high resistance in the center cowl safing rear air bag sensor.
5. An open circuit or high resistance in the driver side air bag module. DO NOT attempt a direct resistance measurement of the air bag. Follow the diagnostic procedures to determine if the air bag resistance is higher than normal.

Pinpoint Test Steps:

32-1 - 32-6: