PAD Module?! What is that?

[jp52]

So I've been slowly going through my cheapo ranger, fixing all the stuff that was neglected or fixed half-assed. One issue was the blower for the vent fan wasn't working. PO stated it kept popping fuses. So I pulled the blower out tested it (its fine, although the mouse wheel was cracked in several places). Resistor and relay are also fine (tested with multi meter). So I plugged it all in and replaced the fuse and it didn't blow ,but now it sings the seatbelt song (ding ding ding etc.) for a long time even when the seatbelts are buckled.

SO. I looked to see what else was on that fuse and its...

Blower Motor Relay, PAD Module, Air Bag Diagnostic Monitor .

So I assumed the airbag diagnostic monitor is what's causing the ding ding, (no light on but most of the dash bulbs were burnt out when I got it including the check engine). So that's on my list to trouble shoot.

But I have searched hi and low and cannot figure out what the heck the PAD module is. Any guesses?

 

[2011Supercab]

is it 5 dings pause, 5 dings pause, over and over?

The lightbulb for your airbag deactivation is burned out.

 

[jp52]

is it 5 dings pause, 5 dings pause, over and over?

The lightbulb for your airbag deactivation is burned out.

That sounds like the song. I'll double check. So the alarm is telling me the bulb is out? That's impressive redundancy. And that's the airbag light in the gauge cluster right?

 

[2011Supercab]

No, this air bag light

 

[jp52]

Got it. Didn't even know there was bulb there. I'll check it out.

Thanks!

 

[pentode]

Consider spraying a bit of contact cleaner into the switch too and switching it on and off a few times... possibly bad contacts?

EDIT: or even without the contact cleaner.

 

[jp52]

So I opened that switch up, the bulb is definitely burnt out. Found a guy on you tube who replaced his with an LED with an internal resistor, so I'm going that route. May try and grab a used one from the scrap yard tomorrow though as well. For anyone curious, here's the link Replace air bag switch bulb.

Thanks all for the help.

 

[don4331]

PAD - PAssive De-activation Module (aka the switch in the console center)

Turn off when you have the younglings in car seat.

Very important to know that it is off - not just bulb burned out - as airbags and car seats are bad combination.​

 

[jp52]

PAD - PAssive De-activation Module (aka the switch in the console center)

Turn off when you have the younglings in car seat.

Very important to know that it is off - not just bulb burned out - as airbags and car seats are bad combination.​

Ohhhhhh! That's very helpful thanks @don4331. I understood the purpose of the switch, just hadn't seen that acronym anywhere.

 

[don4331]

Occassionally, I provide excessive detail, but that's so the next person searching gets both the what and the why (and why the redundancy).

 

[jp52]

Occassionally, I provide excessive detail, but that's so the next person searching gets both the what and the why (and why the redundancy).

Got it. I was referring to fords redundancy, light and alarm. But I feel much better informed now.

Managed to pick up a PAD unit from the scrap yard today so I'm back in operation, fan and no alarm going off.

Will still try and replace the bulb in the old unit once the LED shows up, just for fun.