A couple days ago, my air bag lamp flashed as I approached a stop. I had to fast blinks followed by one slow, which I translated as a code 21. My internet search found "safing sensor improperly mounted." Any input on whether my translation is correct as well as information on how this code is determined, and where the safing sensor is located would be appreciated.
You have three sensors. Two under the corners of the front bumper, and one either on top of the radiator or on the firewall. They will have
4 to 6 wires and have a blue arrow facing forward. This code could be caused by a bad ground to chassis of any of the sensors.Remove the battery connection for a hour or so. Then remove the sensors one by one and clean up the mount grounds with sand paper or wire brush.
Remove the connector and re plug it while your at it. Then restore the battery connection and see what happens.
The air bag controller and power supply are behind the glove box in blue modules. Bob
Thanks, Bob. I know where this safing sensor is. I always thought that was my main sensor. I'll have to check it. I think I probably took it loose to install my radiator in February. If this bolts onto the radiator support like I suspect, the bolt holes may be stripped.
The center module has both the crash sensor and the safing sensor in it as i recall. If the air bag computer does not see a certain resistance on the safing lines, it sets the fault code. I think the center sensor was
6 wires and the sides four or such. I would have to pull out the manuals to verify .Air bag information is hard to find. It took me a long time to get my 90's fixed. Turned out to be the air bag computer in that case.
Bob
I pulled the sensor off the radiator core support to have a check. All bolts appeared tight and no signs of excessive rust. There is a four hole connector for the sensor, three of them with wires. Reattached sensor and checked voltage drop with car running and headlamps on. About 20mV. The lamp hasn't come on for a few days now. What do you think the odds are there's an internal problem in the sensor that'll trip the light again?
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.