Questioni have a 2002 ford ranger,and the airbag light flashes 4 times,then flashes 6 times,then stays on,but when we check the on-board computer there is no codes.i have changed the pastic disk that goes in the steering colume,but the light still comes on.do you have any idea what would be the problem?
AnswerHi Don:
Thanks for asking. The last thing you want to start doing is throwing parts at a problem, especially an airbag system problem. That can get real expensive real fast. The code you are referring to is a code 46.
46--- Driver Pretensioner Circuit Resistance High
That means the buckle in you driver side seat belt system has failed. It has an explosive device called a pretensioner in it which is designed to pull you into place microseconds before the airbag deploys. That component has failed and has deactivated the airbag system. You will need to replace the 'buckle pretensioner'.
But before you do, please get real familiar with the system you are working on before you cause additional damage, hurt yourself or deploy the bags accidentally.
Check out this website. It's one of my companies. You don't need to spend any money if you don't want to....I've given you all the answers. But please go through the site to understand airbags, components and servicing the system properly.
The purpose of this website and company is to help people diagnose and repair airbag problems themselves without taking them to the dealer (if possible). It offers all the photos and data you need to understand your airbag system, read the codes and reset the light. If you want the fault code chart, it’s a pay site, but it certainly is worth the money ($14.95 for 1 day full access)
There’s a place to check if your car is listed on the home page.
This is quite a complete website with pictures, descriptions and factory fault code charts as well as a working demo that shows just how easy these repairs can be. Although it does not give step by step instructions, there is enough information in the pictures and the "how-to" pages that most people can do it themselves.
Lots of insurance companies and body shops use this site for the information they need to repair your car.
Lastly, there's a page in this site that tells you which cars need a scan tool and which ones can be done without one
http://www.airbagsolutions.com
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/vehicles_list.aspx
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/demo.aspx
