need help installing new airbag

[lilmanplease]

I need help replacing my airbag.

the car is an 05 mustang, the airbag deployed after an accident. I have the workshop manual and it said to replace the
1. seat belt
2. clockspring
3. airbag control module
4. front impact sensor
5. airbag

I purchased all the parts from the dealer and I have the workshop manual that the dealership use.

I haven't installed any of the parts

what I want to know is
can I do it myself and how do you clear the crash error message?

[Len]

It's been a while since I've had to deal with an airbag so it may be easier now HOWEVER the risk of injury from unnecessary deployment or from malfunction when needed always made me take it to a dealer for installation. The dealer will have the proper test equipment and you will get an invoice that transfers the liability from you to the dealer in case of malfunction.

[56Ford]

Len,

What about Warranty... won't the warranty be void if a repair is attempted by a non certified person?

I wouldn't do an airbag job even if it was my car, for the exact reasons Len posted.

[TimG]

I do bags on a fairly regular basis,take the battery OUT of the car,and wait a half hour or so before you do anything!
Any codes should clear when the SRS module is replaced,replace it all in one shot so you don't set any new codes.
Most Fords will flash the SRS light in sequence when you first turn the key on to display codes ,for example,one flash,pause,two flashes,pause,is a code twelve,repeats two or three times before it moves on to the next code.
If you have ANY doubts as to your ability to do this,bring it to a dealer,like Len said,THEY take the liability if something goes wrong!

[Henry]

I need help replacing my airbag.

the car is an 05 mustang, the airbag deployed after an accident. I have the workshop manual and it said to replace the
1. seat belt
2. clockspring
3. airbag control module
4. front impact sensor
5. airbag

I purchased all the parts from the dealer and I have the workshop manual that the dealership use.

I haven't installed any of the parts

what I want to know is
can I do it myself and how do you clear the crash error message?

Certain cars require you replace the steering column too. Then again, according to the dealer repair manuals, they want everything replaced to make lots more money. Steering columns come into play because they are energy absorbing and could have taken a shot.
I replace several sets a year on mainly GM cars and never did a column yet but you should check it out and ask. Codes went away and light went off when done as was suggested earlier in this thread.
Also, the ones I do are salvage vehicles and like I said GM. We are hooked up with a large local Buick dealership with a smart service manager who knows what he's doing with airbags. I do the work but need a system test performed that the dealer signs off on attesting the bags are in operational condition.
I currently have a PT Cruiser to change and the manual wants many things changed. I know I'll have to get a Mopar dealer involved; bend over!!!

As far as you changing the parts, I think you could the mechanical part of the job. IF IN DOUBT, leave the fuse disconnected and the system unplugged. Then bring the car to the dealer to have them connect the plugs and run any system check with their equipment. Use caution on the clock spring because the steering wheel needs to be in the correct position before the new one is installed. Find out first and proceed from there. Let us know how you make out. Henry

[lilmanplease]

I talked to a guy who works at a collision repair shop and he said that I should follow the direction in the workshop manual.

So far, I've disconnected the fuse and waited one hour (even though the workshop repair manual said to wait 1 minute for the backup battery to discharge)

After an hour, I replaced the front impact sensor, the airbag control module, and the clockspring (the workshop manual said to make sure the wheels were in the straight forward position).

I'm a bit scare to replace the airbag and the seatbelt because I read a few article on the internet the said that the airbag could deploy just by handling it.

I guess I can do the seatbelt; what's the worse that could happen?

my question is how true is this?

I guess I need a little more encouragment from the pros.

[Henry]

I talked to a guy who works at a collision repair shop and he said that I should follow the direction in the workshop manual.

So far, I've disconnected the fuse and waited one hour (even though the workshop repair manual said to wait 1 minute for the backup battery to discharge)

After an hour, I replaced the front impact sensor, the airbag control module, and the clockspring (the workshop manual said to make sure the wheels were in the straight forward position).

I'm a bit scare to replace the airbag and the seatbelt because I read a few article on the internet the said that the airbag could deploy just by handling it.

I guess I can do the seatbelt; what's the worse that could happen?

my question is how true is this?

I guess I need a little more encouragment from the pros.

I really doubt yours or my airbag is going to go off by handling it WITH NO POWER TO IT.
If you are afraid of the job, then let the dealer do it including the seatbelts. Being fearful of a job is being cautious. I have been taking trees down in my yard for the past month. I called my friend who is in the business to drop one for me that I just did not like. It had a little lean but the trunk was straight up from the ground about 6 feet then formed the letter J and then up another 30 feet.
His first words were, "if you don't feel right about it then keep the hell away from it". I say the same to you. Be careful and use judgement. None of can tell you to do it or not to do it. Let us know the outcome. Henry

[jhowell]

I've worked on the airbags in a Mazda Miata which actually uses a Ford airbag controller. The accidental deployment of the airbag is a theoretical possibility due to static electricity in the environment. In reality the airbag is so simple it's almost foolproof. It doesn't have moving parts or gunpowder in it.

The whole system is fairly simple. You have a few sensors (usually 3) in the front of the vehicle. The airbag is fired when the circuit is forced closed in the sensor during an impact. At that time the airbag control module self destructs.

The seatbelt is replaced because it is recommended they be replaced after any collision. It has nothing to do with the airbags.

The clockspring is replaced only because it's a conduit for the wires to the airbag. It's also possible it could be damaged as a result of the airbag deployment.

The airbag control module is replaced because as I said, it self destructs as soon as the airbag is deployed. The Ford airbag control modules (ACM we'll say) are designed to self destruct the moment there is any change in the system. This design feature actually exists to prevent accidental deployment of the airbags. It takes a few seconds for the meltdown to occur so when the airbag is needed it will deploy. It actually does a diagnostic check on the airbag system every time the ignition is turned to the "on" position. If any component fails the diagnostic, the ACM will melt down to prevent accidental deployment of the airbags.

The front impact sensors may vary from car to car but make certain you have changed the correct one. Your shop manual should outline a simple diagnostic procedure that only requires an ohm meter to perform. It is imperative that you check and double check all impact sensors prior to installing the airbags or the new ACM. If they pass muster, plug in the ACM and the airbag unit. The last step is to plug in the battery and you should be fine.

Like I said, the airbag warnings exist because they could theoretically deploy in an environment high in static electricity. You'd need a helicopter with its rotors turning, sitting on your roof in a thunderstorm to generate enough static discharge to fire one of those things by simply handling it.

Position yourself as far from the airbags as possible the first time you turn on the ignition.

[danzgpgt97]

All it takes is a 9 volt square battery to set off an airbag. We set one off in school and its pretty violent. I have a associate degree in auto mechanics and I wouldnt change out anyones airbag but my own at home cause theres no way to test it for sure and even my home diagnostic laptop will not reset airbags for liability. At least at the dealer they can verify the circuitry everything with there scan tool. Just take it to a dealer its not that expensive.

[jhowell]

There's no resetting Ford Airbag Control Modules. You can verify the circuitry in an airbag and the crash sensors with a simple ohm meter.

The reason you can set one off with a 9 volt battery is because the 9 volt completes the circuit and allows current to flow through the unit. It takes very little current to achieve ignition. But short of hooking up a 9 volt battery where else are you going to complete the circuit AND apply electrical current at the same time other then when you install it in the car? Even then, if you exercise some caution and reach in through the window and behind the steering wheel to turn on the ignition that first time, you should be well out of harm's way.

[lilmanplease]

I completed the install and everything looks great.

The first time I install the fuse, the battery, and turn the ignition on, I got an error code. Code 19 (which mean there is a problem with the circuitry), I uninstall everything and checked all the wires and they all looked good.

I reinstall every thing and it works great.

The reason why I got an error the first time was because I didn't follow the instructions on how to repower the system. I guess I was afraid the first time.

I'm going to take the car to the dealership today to have them check the system to make sure everything is O.K.

I appreciate the help from everybody.

Here are some before and after pictures:

[danzgpgt97]

Excellent work and great idea having them check it out, that wont cost much. Can never be to cautious. Your doing the right thing and saved money.