Test Notes

Normal Operation
The diagnostic monitor measures the resistance across Pin 10 (Circuit GY/W) and Pin 11 (Circuit GY/O) every time the ignition switch is turned to the ON position. Normal resistance across these circuits is between 1.5 and 2.0 ohms. This resistance comes from the air bag itself (approximately 1.0 ohm) and the clockspring windings (approximately 0.3 to 0.4 ohm per winding, two windings in all). If the resistance across these two circuits exceeds 4.0 ohms, this indicates a high resistance and the diagnostic monitor will flash Diagnostic Trouble Code 6.

NOTE: The connectors for the air bag, the clockspring and the diagnostic monitor harness connector have metal spring clips that act as shorting bars. These shorting bars are built into the plastic hardshell connectors. The shorting bars are designed to short Circuits GY/O and GY/W together when the connectors are not mated. Do not attempt to remove the air bag shorting bar and measure the resistance of the air bag.

The clockspring shorting bar and the monitor harness connector locking wedge may be removed to measure the clockspring resistance. Use extreme care when reinstalling the shorting bar to ensure it is installed correctly.

Possible Causes
Excessive resistance across Pins 10 and 11 can be caused by:
1. A poor connection or corrosion where the clockspring connects into the main wiring harness. The clockspring connector at the base of the steering column may have excessive resistance between the male and female terminals in the connector. Also, corrosion may occur on the terminal crimps on both the clockspring terminals and the main wiring harness terminals.
2. An open circuit or high resistance in the clockspring windings inside the clockspring assembly.
3. An open circuit or high resistance in the wiring harness in either Circuit GY/O or Circuit GY/W.
4. An open circuit or high resistance in the driver side air bag. DO NOT attempt a direct resistance measurement of the air bag. Follow the diagnostic procedures to determine if the air bag resistance is higher than normal.