Any Ford Techs here? airbag light help

[Hotrodlincoln]

Trying to help my neighbor with an airbag light on his 2003 Taurus.
It started out as a code 36, which I've come to understand can be for either the passenger OR drivers side airbag circuit. This car doesn't have side airbags, it has the yellow jumper plugs under the seats. I checked the wiring as best as I could without removing the seats and tried swapping the jumpers for some from a junkyard car with no change. I tracked down the SRS control module under the dash and was going to check resistance on the side airbag wires but I don't have a pin small enough to fit into the connectors. But after plugging it all back in and connecting the battery, the light comes on, with a new code. It's now flashing a code 37. I counted it 4 times just to be sure.
It took some digging but I did find some info, and I've found it could mean any one of 4 things for the passengers side airbag.
Can I scan this with an OBD2 scan tool and get a DTC to match up so I'll know what problem to chase? Or does it have to go to Ford to be scanned? Also could the previous code still be present but just isn't showing up?
I'd love to find a factory shop manual for this thing online but no such luck yet.

 

[feellnfroggy]

Code 37 is improper voltage level in the side airbag on the passenger side. This could be caused by a short to ground or, more likely, a high resistance connection between the restraints control module and the PS side airbag assembly.

Even if your truck doesn't have the optional side airbags, it still has the wiring for them and uses a yellow resistor cap to simulate the side airbag. Same story - probably a poor connection at the RCM or at the resistor cap under the passenger seat. Working on the SRS can be very hazardous so unless you are comfortable working on this system, take it to a professional for repair.


Official Ford Site



THis is for a ford explorer 99, but the wiki answer for a 2003 taurus said "this is too complicated take me to a proffessional" either way teh codes should change too much. Improper votlage could mean any of the above, or it means it was wrecked and the airbags were replaced, but sensors werent.

 

[Hotrodlincoln]

This is a recent thing, It hasn't been in any wrecks lately that I know about.

I don't know when they switched to the more advanced SRS system, (it may be even worse now) but I have found several lists showing codes up to 36 but nothing over. I finally found a long list that appears to be for newer vehicles and has a ton of codes including DTCs but it appears that they have to be pulled by Ford to narrow down what the flash code means.
Found that here: http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showpost.php?p=184120&postcount=2

So I guess I'll have to play with the wiring a bit more and see what I can come up with, but at least I know where I need to look now. Might try crimping the connectors on the jumper harness plugs to get a tighter connection there and see if that changes it.

 

[adsm08]

If you have a high end scanner that does air bag codes then yes, you can scan it that way.

 

[Hotrodlincoln]

If I had one of those I wouldn't have to ask! A man can dream though...