Airbag short?

[killj0y]

Are there any problem areas where the airbag system shorts on third gens? I ask because I have fixed everything left on my truck this weekend and its working great, except for the airbag light. It flashes a code 12 but only because the fuse in it is blown. When I add a new one it literally blows within a second of putting it in. vehicle on or off, doesn't matter. I'm talking about the underhood fuse of course labeled mini 4 that is for the airbag system only. nothing else is acting weird.

This started happening a bit back and I hadn't had time to troubleshoot it. Any ideas of where to start? I suppose I can check the current to that fuse to start with, but I was hoping for some pointers on problem areas where it might short since following that thing through the harness would be a pain in the ass. Also would a messed up clock spring blow fuses and not show any other symptoms?

 

[killj0y]

For example I know that on automatics a wire chafes on the column. Mine is manual without an adjustable column though so I doubt thats it

 

[det107]

Check for grounds, frayed wiring, etc..
Perhaps you could look into the recall bulletin to see if your truck is affected. The problem was a boo-boo in the steering column that could start a fire-

 

[straycat]

I would take it to a shop and have it looked at, Bro. That issue could cause an injury to you or somebody in the truck with you. I don't like to mess around with the airbag systems..not at all. I saw a friend's son get hurt when one went off in his '04 Exploder one afternoon. We were out in my diveway talking about the warning lights he was getting on the airbag. He said he would take it to a shop the next day. They were getting ready to leave and his son jumped in the passenger seat while the Exploder was still running and then all of a sudden the passenger air bag discharged and what a mess.
Just be careful, Bro!!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I would take it to a shop and have it looked at, Bro. That issue could cause an injury to you or somebody in the truck with you. I don't like to mess around with the airbag systems..not at all. I saw a friend's son get hurt when one went off in his '04 Exploder one afternoon. We were out in my diveway talking about the warning lights he was getting on the airbag. He said he would take it to a shop the next day. They were getting ready to leave and his son jumped in the passenger seat while the Exploder was still running and then all of a sudden the passenger air bag discharged and what a mess.
Just be careful, Bro!!

That is odd because if the light on the dash is on the system should be disarmed completely.

 

[killj0y]

Check for grounds, frayed wiring, etc..
Perhaps you could look into the recall bulletin to see if your truck is affected. The problem was a boo-boo in the steering column that could start a fire-

Yea been looking and no luck guess I might have to tear apart the dash and carpet to find it ugh...Any idea what color wires to look for?

I would take it to a shop and have it looked at, Bro. That issue could cause an injury to you or somebody in the truck with you. I don't like to mess around with the airbag systems..not at all. I saw a friend's son get hurt when one went off in his '04 Exploder one afternoon. We were out in my diveway talking about the warning lights he was getting on the airbag. He said he would take it to a shop the next day. They were getting ready to leave and his son jumped in the passenger seat while the Exploder was still running and then all of a sudden the passenger air bag discharged and what a mess.
Just be careful, Bro!!

This is what I'm afraid of by not fixing it, currently the system is disabled because the fuse is not in and clearly won't stay in long enough to get a proper trouble code which screams a short. Well I can always pull the battery too...

 

[killj0y]

That is odd because if the light on the dash is on the system should be disarmed completely.

my thoughts too, but I'd probably pull the battery too if i'm going beyond under the hood. Any one know more or less where the wires are routed and color? Jeez what a pain in the butt

 

[straycat]

That is odd because if the light on the dash is on the system should be disarmed completely.

Evidently it was not. He had an airbag warning indicator that showed an issue. It was on for two days he told me when he came over to borrow some tools from me.

 

[killj0y]

Evidently it was not. He had an airbag warning indicator that showed an issue. It was on for two days he told me when he came over to borrow some tools from me.

Well in any case I usually steer clear of the impact zone when working on it, and disconnect the battery too lol.

 

[det107]

Another air bag problem not covered in recall is the wiring under the drier's seat. For instance, when I need to get in the back to get tools (whatever) & need to move the seat forward for better accessibility.....For some reason the air bag icon comes on. It is a common boo-

 

[killj0y]

Another air bag problem not covered in recall is the wiring under the drier's seat. For instance, when I need to get in the back to get tools (whatever) & need to move the seat forward for better accessibility.....For some reason the air bag icon comes on. It is a common boo-

Does this affect third gens?