Test Notes

Normal Operation
The air bag diagnostic monitor measures the resistance across pin C20b-10, circuit 31S-MA8 (BK/OG) and pin C20b-11, circuit 8-MA18 (WH/BU) every time the ignition switch is turn to the ON position. Normal resistance across these circuits is between 1.5 ohms and 2.0 ohms. This resistance comes from the air bag itself (approximately 1.0 ohm) and the air bag sliding contact windings (approximately 0.25 ohms to 0.5 ohms per winding, two windings in all). If the resistance across these two circuits exceeds 4.0 ohms, the air bag diagnostic monitor will flash Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) 32.

NOTE: The driver side air bag module connector, air bag diagnostic monitor harness connector and the air bag sliding contact connector have metal spring clips that act as shorting bars. These shorting bars are built into the plastic hard shell connectors. The shorting bars are designed to short 29S-MA8(OG) and 31S-MA8 (BK/OG) 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 air bag sliding contact shorting bar may be removed to measure the air bag sliding contact resistance. Use extreme care when reinstalling the shorting bar to make sure it is installed correctly.

Possible Causes
Excessive resistance across air bag diagnostic monitor pins C20b-10, circuit 31S-MA8 (BK/OG) and C20b-11, circuit 8-MA18 (WH/BU) can be caused by:
1. A poor connection where the air bag sliding contact connections into the main wiring harness. The air bag sliding contact connector at the base of the steering column may have excessive resistance between the male and female terminals in the connector.
2. An open circuit or high resistance in the air bag sliding contact windings inside the air bag sliding contact.
3. An open circuit or high resistance in the wiring harness in either circuit 3 1S-MA8 (BK/OG) or circuit 8-MA1 8 (WH/BU).
4. An open circuit or high resistance in the driver side air bag module. 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.