Whether your Escape came in the base model with a four-cylinder or any other trim level with the 3.0-liter six-cylinder, you have a sophisticated air bag system. You air bag system is designed to self test to ensure all circuits and air bags will work properly if needed. There are two different sets of air bag codes that can be read from your escape. Your air bag light will flash different flash codes when there is a fault, just like the old OBD-1 check engine light. You can also hook up a scan tool to read more in-depth trouble codes that can be more accurate.
Code 15 is related to the driver side air bag being shorted either to ground or to power; This is normally a result of a damaged wire somewhere in the circuit. Code 16 is exactly the same as code 15 only it refers to a short to ground or power in the passenger air bag circuit. Codes 17 and 18 refer to the driver and passenger side pretensioner circuits having a short to power or ground. Code 19 is different from the earlier codes and means that the restraints control module crash data memory is full; It should be replaced along with the crash sensors. If your escape is displaying code 21, there is high resistance in the RCM ground circuit and code 24 means the RCM is faulty and needs to be replaced.
Flash code 29 means that the RCM is programmed with a different vehicle identification number than what the ECM is relaying to it. Code 32 means there is high resistance in the driver air bag circuit and code 33 means the same for the passenger side circuit. Codes 34 and 35 indicate low resistance in the driver or passenger air bag circuit. Code 36 and 37 are displayed as repeats of previous codes; 36 can mean there is a short to power or ground in the driver air bag circuit, along with high or low resistance in the driver air bag circuit. Code 37 means the same for the passenger side air bag circuit.
Code 42 means the driver side crash sensor has a mounting fault; 43 means the same for the passenger side crash sensor. Flash codes 44 and 45 means there is a communications fault between the RCM and the driver or passenger crash sensors, respectively. Code 46 relates to the driver side pretensioner circuit being either open or of low resistance; code 47 means the same for the passenger pretensioner. Codes 48 and 49 mean the driver or passenger crash sensor is faulted and should be replaced.
The dealership has a long list of pinpoint testing that can help diagnose the exact fault, as the description of codes are rather vague, similar to the OBD-1 systems of older vehicles. The most important thing to remember when diagnosing your air bag system is to always disconnect the battery and follow the air bag deactivation procedures listed in your owners manual. Air bags can be dangerous and even fatal if accidentally deployed. In most cases it is recommended to have your local dealership or mechanic perform diagnosis and repair of the SRS system.
