Test Notes

CONTINUOUS AIR BAG INDICATOR

Air Bag Diagnostic Monitor Disconnected or Inoperative

NORMAL OPERATION
The air bag warning indicator is designed to illuminate for 6 � 2 seconds when the ignition switch is turned to the RUN position. This initial six seconds of air bag warning indicator illumination (continuous lamp) is considered normal operation and is called "proveout" of the air bag warning indicator. If the air bag diagnostic monitor detects any faults in the air bag system following proveout, it will flash the air bag warning indicator a series of times to indicate the diagnostic trouble code that has been detected. If the air bag warning indicator comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the RUN position and stays on for more than eight seconds continuously, then a fault exists in the air bag warning indicator circuit.

The air bag diagnostic monitor incorporates a solid-state circuit that shorts the air bag warning indicator line (Circuit 608, BK/Y) to ground to turn the air bag warning indicator on. When the gray air bag diagnostic monitor harness connector is unplugged from the air bag diagnostic monitor, a shorting bar within the harness connector connects Pins 4 (air bag warning indicator) and 5 (ground) together. Therefore, the shorting bar will turn the air bag warning indicator on whenever the gray diagnostic monitor harness connector is disconnected. Because the shorting bar makes a continuous connections between Pins 4 and 5 when the connector is disconnected, the air bag warning indicator will not flash--instead, it will be illuminated continuously.

When the ignition switch is turned to RUN, the air bag diagnostic monitor "wakes up" and, after approximately six seconds, turns the air bag warning indicator off. If the air bag diagnostic monitor fails to "wake up", the lamp driver circuit will automatically turn the air bag warning indicator ON continuously, indicating a concern in the air bag diagnostic monitor or at the gray air bag diagnostic monitor connector.

POSSIBLE CAUSES

Continuous illumination of the air bag warning indicator can be caused by:

1. A disconnected or poorly connected air bag diagnostic monitor may not push the shorting bar between Pins 4 and 5 into its fully retracted position. This shorts the Air Bag Warning Indicator line to ground and causes the Air Bag Warning Indicator to glow continuously.

2. Shorted air bag warning indicator wiring.

3. A damaged air bag diagnostic monitor.