I got into an accident years ago where the air bags deployed. A short time later, I bought new air bags off of ebay and fixed the gaping holes in my steering wheel and passenger side of the dashboard. I never installed a new airbag control module (PCM?) and I never got it reflashed either. I haven't installed the seat belt parts either, because they are still functioning correctly for the most part.

Since the accident, my airbag light has flashed a 1-9 at me at start up, and stays on the rest of the trip. I think Bob told me it was because the module was full of data and either needed to be replaced or reflashed.

Now recently I failed inspection, and I have just come to find one of the reasons was for "Safety" and "OBD/emissions." I am now wondering if the module could be the reason for the safety failure. When I hook up my scanner, it doesn't find any codes through the OBD port.

Also I'd like to know if having the data full on the PCM will not allow the airbags to deploy if I get into an accident... This has never crossed my mind till recently.

There is a place I have found where they will reflash your air bag module and send it back for $55. If I have to I can send mine to them, but I'm left wondering if the truck will still be drivable without the module in there?

 

 

i think you can drive it, but your air bag light will be on.....

your only option to get rid of the code is to either have the air bag module reflashed or replace it off a wrecked Ranger....

 

I just replaced the RCM module on my 99 (it had a code 19) with one from a junk yard and that fixed it. Make sure you get one off a truck that didn't have the bags deployed.
John