|
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6 |
Could someone please tell me how to fix this so the light goes off. I read what the code means on this sight but I am not sure how to fix it. Thanks
1998 Contour Sport V6 24V
ATX 91,000 miles
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,725
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,725 |
Originally posted by my98contoursport:
Could someone please tell me how to fix this so the light goes off. I read what the code means on this sight but I am not sure how to fix it. Thanks
51=Air Bag Diagnostic Monitor Internal Thermal Fuse-Fuse Blown Due to Intermittent Short to Ground
First off you need a multimeter to find the short. It appear to be short to ground so the wire going to the ground has broken off, or is cracked and broke,basically something is wrong with the wire going to the ground.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6 |
Could that possibly cause a fire?
1998 Contour Sport V6 24V
ATX 91,000 miles
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,100
Addicted CEG\'er
|
|
Addicted CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,100 |
ground is negative/0 volts.. so if the wire broke somewhere, then it is dangling... the only things that I can see happening are: - the wire momentarily touching metal and turning the circuit on....
- the wire not touching anything
- the wire touching a positive voltage source
touching a positive voltage source, would only send the voltage up the wire towards the sensor, putting voltage on both sides, no difference in voltage, is no felt difference.. the only thing I don't know is how the air bag system works... could a momentary ground(swinging against metal chassis) cause the bags to deploy? i don't know what the trigger voltage is..(low or high) Ray
'99 CSVT - Silver #222/276
In a constant state of blow-off euphoria.
Originally posted by Kremitthefrog:
I like to wear dresses and use binoculars to watch grandmas across the street.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,319
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,319 |
The fuse referred to in code 51 is internal to airbag diagnostic monitor and is not servicable, therefore new monitor required ($200 I believe). In the interim you have no air bag protection.
From another air bag thread I gather that you just bought this car, although you didn't mention whether private or dealer sale. In the jurisdiction where I am located cars are required to be certified as fit by a licenced mechanic before new ownership can be registered and car plated. I doubt a car displaying an air bag fault can be certified. Discussing vehicle history with seller might be helpful.
I'ts possible fault occurred because of prior air bag deployment so I suggest taking car to Ford dealer for inspection/diagnosis and an estimate for repairs. The following tech details from service manual may be of interest to readers.
AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR INTERNAL THERMAL FUSE - FUSE BLOWN DUE TO INTERMITTENT SHORT TO GROUND - Air bag code 51
CAUTION: Do not install a new air bag diagnostic monitor until the short has been located and corrected. If a short to ground has not been located and corrected, then the short to ground is intermittent and is not present at this time. Installing a new air bag diagnostic monitor with an intermittent short in the system will result in repeated blown air bag diagnostic monitors and repeat repairs.
REPLACE the air bag diagnostic monitor.
Thermal fuse not serviceable
Air bag diagnostic monitors can withstand several air bag deployments and do not need to be replaced after every deployment. Only replace the air bag diagnostic monitor if it is damaged.
Occasionally, immediately after an air bag deploys, the internal wiring of the air bag may become shorted to the metal housings of the air bag. This internal air bag short is detected by the air bag diagnostic monitor as a short to ground in the air bag deployment wiring. Since the air bag diagnostic monitor is still operating immediately after most deployments, the air bag diagnostic monitor will detect the shorted wiring and will flash diagnostic trouble code (DTC) 13 or DTC 14 and blow the internal thermal fuse. After the deployment, as the air bag cools off, the internal shorted wire may correct itself, therefore the short to ground will no longer exist and the air bag diagnostic monitor will flash DTC 51. If a vehicle with a deployed air bag is flashing DTC 51, inspect and replace all the damaged areas of the vehicle with crushed wiring, sensors, etc. If no damage is found, assume that the deployed air bag was the cause for the intermittent short and replace the air bag diagnostic monitor when the new air bag is installed.
98 Mystique LS v6 atx 163,000km
97 Contour LX v6 atx 163,000km
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6 |
Thanks for your help on this matter. I bought the car at a dealer but it was a small car lot not a major dealer. As far as the airbag being deployed previously, it may have been. We did not find any signs of a previous frontal crash on this car. My husband works in a auto paint and body shop owned by my father in law. He knows what to look for to see if a car has been wrecked. As far as the airbag not working/deploying, that is fine with me. I am only 4'11" and I have to sit pretty close to the steering wheel. So I think it would hurt me worse than help me in a crash if it deployed.
Does it just affect the drivers side airbag or both?
If we located the ground wire that was cracked or whatever and repaired it would it fix the problem since the airbag is intact?
1998 Contour Sport V6 24V
ATX 91,000 miles
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,319
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,319 |
Both bags would currently be non-functional.
First, it would have been a normally "live" (i.e. +12 volts)wire that had contacted either the body or another wire that connects to the negative side of battery. Body is connected to negative terminal of battery.
Second, monitor has to be replaced even if wiring fault is found and repaired.
I guess there's no safety inspection in Tenn?
You could always complain to car lot unless car was sold "as-is".
Wreckers may sell used monitors, your families' bodymen should have contacts in that area. Monitor located at front of console below radio.
p.s. Many used are available ($50-75) in Tenn. see www.car-part.com
Last edited by horseydug; 03/16/04 04:58 PM.
98 Mystique LS v6 atx 163,000km
97 Contour LX v6 atx 163,000km
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,725
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,725 |
Originally posted by my98contoursport:
Thanks for your help on this matter. I bought the car at a dealer but it was a small car lot not a major dealer. As far as the airbag being deployed previously, it may have been. We did not find any signs of a previous frontal crash on this car. My husband works in a auto paint and body shop owned by my father in law. He knows what to look for to see if a car has been wrecked. As far as the airbag not working/deploying, that is fine with me. I am only 4'11" and I have to sit pretty close to the steering wheel. So I think it would hurt me worse than help me in a crash if it deployed.
Does it just affect the drivers side airbag or both?
If we located the ground wire that was cracked or whatever and repaired it would it fix the problem since the airbag is intact?
Yeah but airbags could save your passangers life, and yours even though you arent tall. I would highly recommend you fix it, that way anyone riding in the front of the car has a better chance to survive a crash. You got to think this way, save the $200, or possibly save my life or injury to myself by spending it, not a hard choice if it was up to me.
|
|
|
|
|
