Need help with steps to turn off airbag light after minor accident

[Rickygos]

2009 Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0L. Was involved in a minor accident which only damaged grille and part of the header panel but driver wheel airbag was somehow deployed.

I have taken the following steps to get the light off:

(1) Replaced seat belt pretensioner
(2) Replaced Restraint Control Module (RCM) inside vehicle under plastic cupholder/storage area
(3) Swapped the driver wheel airbag out of my 2011 Ranger 4x4 to the 2009 Ranger to see if airbag light would go off
(4) Cleaned all electrical connections
(5) Disconnected and reconnected battery several times

The shoulder belt still operates like it should. Does anyone know if this shoulder seat belt assembly also needs to be replaced even though it seems to be working properly? Are the wheel airbags from 2011 and 2009 somehow incompatible? Does the airbag light need to be reset using some type of diagnostic tool?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site.

It probably needs to be shut off with a scanning tool. But depending on your state you may have to have a body technician do it.

That's what I would do to ensure it works again properly.

 

[black_demon69]

Probably needs programed

 

[ekrampitzjr]

There are sensors in the front end that trip the airbags in an accident. One mounted to the header panel might need to be replaced. This came up after I hit a deer in a new '97 Escort wagon years ago. The header panel (bulkhead) behind the headlamps was plastic and shattered, and had to be replaced along with the sensors.

 

[19Walt93]

What DTCs are present?
In order for an airbag to go off there needed to be an impact hard enough to trip the crash sensor, if memory serves, once a crash sensor trips it needs to be replaced. The RCM and pretensioners are also single use parts.

 

[Rickygos]

Thank you for the replies.

I replaced the header panel with a new one from Ford, painted it the same color as the vehicle (CX = Dark Shadow Gray). Did the same with the radiator support and condenser bracket as they were so deteriorated with rust that I couldn't even reassemble. I did notice two plug connections on either side of the radiator support bolted to the inside but not sure if these are the "crash sensors".

I'm not sure what DTC's are present. The old Actron 9145 scanner I have won't read the codes. I need an updated one -- any suggestions would be helpful.

I believe there is a recall on these airbags (got a letter from Ford for my 2011 Ranger: Safety Recall Notice 21S12 / NHTSA Recall21V-158). I might just take it to the dealer, tell them I bought it with the airbag missing and let them analyze the issue.

FYI: I removed shoulder belt to see if there were any airbag wires connected to it but there are NONE.

I also removed the whole bed due to serious floor panel and cross member rust, bought steel tubing for cross members and three floor repair panels from Dorman, welded primed and raptor lined everything. I can post a thread if anyone is interested in seeing the process.

 

[sgtsandman]

There are two airbag recalls. The first one is for the passenger side and the second for the driver side. They weren’t done at the same time.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Thank you for the replies.

I replaced the header panel with a new one from Ford, painted it the same color as the vehicle (CX = Dark Shadow Gray). Did the same with the radiator support and condenser bracket as they were so deteriorated with rust that I couldn't even reassemble. I did notice two plug connections on either side of the radiator support bolted to the inside but not sure if these are the "crash sensors".

I'm not sure what DTC's are present. The old Actron 9145 scanner I have won't read the codes. I need an updated one -- any suggestions would be helpful.

I believe there is a recall on these airbags (got a letter from Ford for my 2011 Ranger: Safety Recall Notice 21S12 / NHTSA Recall21V-158). I might just take it to the dealer, tell them I bought it with the airbag missing and let them analyze the issue.

FYI: I removed shoulder belt to see if there were any airbag wires connected to it but there are NONE.

I also removed the whole bed due to serious floor panel and cross member rust, bought steel tubing for cross members and three floor repair panels from Dorman, welded primed and raptor lined everything. I can post a thread if anyone is interested in seeing the process.

I'm always interested in seeing how someone else does repairs. I almost always learn something.... either a better way or how not to...lol.