Air Bag Light Flashes 3 times

[White Lincoln]

My air bag light has started flashing when I start the car in the morning. It eventually goes off, but flashes 3 times and stops, then starts over again. I had this issue in the past and it went away, "only to return another day."

From what I have ready, it is the clock spring. But I also read that it be caused by changes in the weather, which we recently have plunged into fall and have had a lot of rain. I also read that it should not be replaced by an armature, but rather a skilled mechanic (whatever that is). I have had my air bag off a lot times and know how to handle it - mainly, make sure the leave it laying against a wall, back side facing your neighbors bathroom window in case it goes off.

The price is anywhere from $50 used to the usual rip off price of new for $300.

Thoughts?

 

[Derphound01]

The codes flash two numbers. If it is flashing three times each time, then you have code 3-3 triggered. I think 3-3 is the code for open circuit or high resistance on the passenger side airbag, but don't quote me on that.

@jco1385 posted something here a while ago that had all the codes listed, but I cannot find it now.

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

From the '97 manual:

 

[theterminator93]

Never fear, there's a tech article for that.

Thread 'SRS (Air Bag) Codes'

May 2, 2025

Code Meaning
12 Low Battery Voltage
13 Air Bag Circuit - Shorted to Ground
14 Primary Crash Sensor - Shorted to Ground
21 Safing Sensor - Not Mounted to Vehicle Properly
22 Safing Sensor Output Circuit - Shorted to Battery Voltage
23 Safing Sensor Input Feed/Return Circuit - Open
24 Safing Sensor Output Feed/Return Circuit - Open
32 Driver-Side Air Bag Circuit - High Resistance or Open
33 Passenger-Side Air Bag Circuit - High Resistance or Open
34 Driver-Side Air Bag Circuit - Low Resistance or Shorted
35...

• theterminator93
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Interior

• 

IIRC the biggest trick to air bags is that the battery needs to be disconnected long enough (at least a minute in most cases) to let the capacitors in the module discharge fully so there's no risk of the module going off inadvertently.

 

[Derphound01]

Hot dang, I'm not going insane. Yet.

 

[White Lincoln]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback.

I started it this afternoon to move it out of the garage so I could work on my e-bike and there were no codes, no flashing orange lights, nothing.

I really think its the weather, but will keep an eye on it and look a bit more into running diags.

 

[White Lincoln]

...and again... drove to an appt this morning at 7 am, air bag was blinking the whole way to the appt. Went back home 10 minutes later and the light never came on.

 

[theterminator93]

Probably temperature related - a cracked solder joint, is my guess. When it's cold the solder shrinks and the crack opens. When it warms up, the solder expands and makes the connection.

 

[Grog6]

My BR tv has the same issue right now; resolder them with some Kester 44 and it'll be good.

 

[Kenz]

I went through something similar recently. The airbag light was randomly flashing when getting into higher RPS. Ended up being the alternator/voltage regulator was bad and causing voltage spikes. It didn't cause any other symptoms at the time, so I just assumed the alternator was fine.

It doesn't sound like what is going on with yours, but it may be worth checking that the charging system is working properly.