Test Notes

Normal Operation
The air bag warning indicator is designed to illuminate for six (+/-two) seconds when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position. This initial six seconds of continuous air bag warning indicator illumination is considered normal operation and is called "prove out." If the air bag diagnostic monitor detects any faults in the air bag system following prove out, it will flash the air bag warning indicator 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 ON position and stays on for more than eight seconds continuously, 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 indicator line (circuit 952E, PK/GN) to ground to turn on the air bag warning indicator. When the gray air bag diagnostic monitor harness connector C1 is unplugged from the air bag diagnostic monitor, a shorting bar within the harness connector shorts pins 4 (air bag warning indicator) and 5 (ground) together. This shorting bar turns the air bag warning indicator On. Because the shorting bar makes a continuous connection between pins 4 and 5 when the connector is disconnected, the air bag indicator will not flash - instead, it will glow continuously.

When the ignition switch is turned to ON, the air bag diagnostic monitor "wakes up" and after approximately six seconds turns the air bag indicate Off. If the air bag diagnostic monitor fails to "wake up," the air bag warning indicator driver circuit will automatically leave 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
A continuous illumination of the air bag warning indicator can be caused by:
- A disconnected or poorly connected air bag diagnostic monitor connector.
- Shorted air bag warning indicator control circuit. A damaged air bag diagnostic monitor.