Air Bag Light
 

I have a 1998 Ranger 4X4 4.0 automatic. The truck has been sitting for about 3 wks. I cranked it up and a Air Bag Light light came on . It's never come on before.
Can anyone tell me what the deal is ? I want to sell the truck but I cant with this light on.
Thanks Chuck

Its flashing a 2 digit code at you, we cant do anything without it.

It will flash the first number then pause then flash the second and repeat 6 times. After that it will stay on until restart.

First thanks for the quick reply. When you say theres nothing you can do about it? What causes it to come on and where do you find the two digit codes ? I looked in my code book but couldnt find a code or how to fix it . Tks Again for your help. Chuck

we can't help you out without knowing what code it is flashing. the light in the cluster will flash a series of times, pause, then flash another series of times, long pause, then repeat. IE, flash 2 times, pause, flash 7 times, repeat is a code 2-7 that usually refers to the passenger disable switch bulb burnt out.

Yeah. I will count the flash to see what the code is. The one thing I forgot to mention was a seat change I made to this Ranger. I recently replaced the bucket seats with a older Ranger bench seat.
I saw some info about a code 47 or 48 that is related to the seat replacement. I dont remember if I changed out the seat belt retractors or not. I think I changed the passenger retractable belt assy. I do remember unpluging some electrical plugs when I changed out the seats.
Thanks again I learn something everyday. Chuck

that sounds like your problem. if the seat belts from your old seats weren't reused, it will throw a code for the pretensioners not being there.

Pretensioners are 01+ I have expo buckets in my 99 with no air bag issues.

Under the drivers seat there is a plug for the belt minder, unplugged will result in the light and chime not reminding you.

pretentionsers started in 98 when they changed the seats, air bag module location, etc.

My 99 manual has no LFC 46 and 47 diagnostics, nor does my truck have pretensioners.

bag light
 

Hey Guys. When I replaced the seats about 2months or so ago the light never came on and the bench seat out of a older 80's model truck did not have any plugs so I didnt plug anything in. When you guys say pre - tensioner are you talking about the part that rolls back when you take your seat belt off ? I know this is a basic question but I'm just not up on this seat stuff.
Any ideas on how I can solve this problem ? tks Guys

the pretensioner should be attached to the seat belt part on the seat.


blhde, it should have it.

NEW! 1998 - 2003 FORD RANGER Seat Belt Seatbelt Buckle 3L5Z-1061203-AAA OEM! | eBay

bag light
 

So the female part of the seat belt that is on the bench seat is the pretensioner ? And, this should have a wire harness plug end that would plug into another harness plug that comes in under the seat ? This bench seat is from a much older truck and I dont know if they even had air bags ,which I doubt. I still dont understand why this light did not come on when I swapped the seats? I wonder if I disconnected the battery,would it maybe reset the light ?
There has to be some way to get this light off?
Come on Guys I've seen this bunch solve a lot tougher stuff than this one !
Pls dont tell me to put the buckets back in. My dog and I like the comfort of the bench.
Tks again and if you dont solve this problem for me,one you guys gotta buy the truck.
Tks Chuck

I would just get a pretensioner and plug it in and leave it under the seat. That way the airbags will work and you can have your bench seat.

bag light
 

I knew you guys would come up with something !! So I can take the pretensioner thats on the old bucket seats,plug it in and leave it under the bench seat ? I'm 285 miles from the bucket seats but I'll try it next month when I go to Gulf Coast. Thanks and I'll let you know what happens . tks again Chuck

Follow UP
 

Just for my information. What does the pretensioner sense that causes the air bag light to come on in the first place ? tks Chuck

How about you read the code and post it.

drppdyllwrngr my truck didn't have those, I swapped in expo buckets with no issues.

air bag light
 

No problem. I would still like to know what the pretensioner is sensing that sends a signal to casue the light to come on. Is it sensing that someone is in the seat that does not have the seat belt on or is it sensing there is no seat belt in the truck?
I will check the code and post it. tks Chuck

The pretensioner is powered by the air bag system, if there is a crash the pretensioner tightens or tensions the seat belt so you dont move as far. As with most systems in the truck a computer monitors the wires for shorts and opens. With no pretensioner there is an open on its ground and power circuits.

air bag light
 

Thanks for the explanation. Given the way this thing works. I cannot understand why it took so long for it to come on,given the amount of time that had passed since I changed out the buckets with the bench. So I can just plug in the original pretensioners that were on the bucket seats and just leave it under the seat . This was one of the suggestions sent to me.
I'm amazed and the information on this site and the number of people willing to take the time to reply. Thanks Again Chuck

If the light didn't come on instantly then odds are you have a different problem.

Without the exact code you will never get the light to go out.

New Info air bag light
 

Well Guys, I seem to have put everybody to a lot of trouble,only to find out the pretensioner doesnt appear to be the problem. I got the truck to the house and found out
the code is 27. Which means the light is out on the passenger side on/off switch.
I've read all the soldering things you can do with a led from Radio Schack. I'm no way capable of doing this. My question . Can you just replace the original bulb that burnt out ?
This seems to be the only code I'm seeing when the light flashes.
Can I just find a bulb that will fit the original? tks Chuck

IIRC, the bulb is soldered to the board for the switch. Ford will sell you the entire thing for replacement.

airbag light code 27
 

I googled this code27. I found a company on Ebay that will repair the on/off switch,I assume that they would just solder in a new light ? Anyway they charge about $15.00 and pay the shipping one way. I plan to call a few local salvage yards and see if I can find a used one.
Is there a trick to taking this assy off ? Should I remove the battery terminals to prevent the bag from deploying ? Or will it ?Can I drive the truck after I take the switch assy off?
I still plan on getting the original pretensioner plugged in and just lay it under the bench seat.
Again tks for any help. Chuck

airbag after thought
 

Ok. What happens if you just turn on the passenger airbag switch? I have no kids.
So is there a greater chance of the airbag deploying if the switch is on? Will the airbag light go off if I turn it on and start the truck?
I'm afraid of these things,I keep reading stories about these airbags deploying when you check any part of the circuit.
Tks Chuck