Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting air bag replacement

My son has a 1996 ford contour, v6

To make a long story short, both air bags fired (cracked the front windshield in the process).

I am looking for clarification on how to replace the air bags, as I don't want to miss anything that may fire the replacement bags.

1. Does the air bags trigger sensors automatically normalize after the have fired.

2. Does the control module need replacement, what I am after does the module and sensors automatically normalize from a fault / trigger mode to a untriggered mode that will be safe once the airbags are replaced.

Thank you for any help or info

Don Kerr

PM contourkev on here i think he's done it before

Not on my tour, removed them/reinstalled, but never blew my bags, but should replace the Air bag modules with the air bag crash sensors, along with the Air bag computer module located under the center console under the stereo system

Repair manual I have (Mitchell Ondemand 5) only said to replace the air bag modules, I suggest replacing the computer too... And while your air bag is off the steering wheel, take an ohm meter, and test the clockspring. Those go bad sometimes too sometimes....

Try replaing the bags and computer first

Then check for error codes by watching the Air Bag light

OK, I would like to know what this air bag error code is...

3 flashes, short pause, then 2 flashes, then long pause, then repeated. I assume that is likely a 32 error code ( or a 3 and a 2 error code)

I received a message from a friend of mine that spoke to his friend who is a Ford Tech, and I received the following message...


Tell him to disconnect battery when installing it
bumper sensors are most likely OK, but if it was a seat belt tension sensor that set it off most likely needs replacing
Nothing to do with the computer in terms of resetting etc
but for more exact info needed model & year?


I think I will have a service tech do it for me (not the dealer but a small auto repair shop I usually go to)but still would like to know as much about it as possible. I received 2 airbags in perfect condition from an ebay auction, for $ 9.99 (for both drivers and passenger airbags)plus $ 30 shipping, a great deal when the cheapest I have previously come across was $700 for both.

Don Kerr

Thank you, this list of error codes, are the biggest help yet.

The drivers side and passanger airbags were fired, so an error 32-Driver Side Air Bag Circuit High Resistance or Open

would certainly be expected.

abstance of other codes, tells me that everything / sensors have normalized.

Thanks again

Great site
Don Kerr

I can't even count how many airbags I've replaced on Contours and Mystiques!

In anycase, to answer your questions, No you don't need to replace the sensors UNLESS they are physically damaged. You MAY need to replace the module. It is located in the console under the radio.

Just remove your old bags and instll the new ones. Don't forget to pull the fuse before installing the new bags(just in case). Also, put in the bags before you replace the windshield(again, just in case). On the passenger side you may need to do some rebending of the dash and new airbag in order to make everything fit together right. When that bag goes off it bends up the dash and ALWAYS busts the windshield. On the drivers side you will need to bend back the "spring loaded" mounting plates. When that bag goes it bends them rearward.

Once your bags are installed put the fuse back in and start the car. If your airbag light starts flashing, check the code, but it's a good bet that the internal fuse blew in the module. If that's the case then you need to replace the whole module. 9 out of 10 of the ones I've fixed have also needed the module.

I may have the parts you need to fix your Contour. If you're interested or have any more questions, let me know.

Good Luck!

I have replaced the airbags. A real pain to remove the passenger side blown bag, but the new one went in without a hitch.

I find that the drivers side air bag, doesn't recess as much as I would like, but the horn works ok, I would like it to recess a bit more though, but can live with it for now. The error codes previously gotten for the bags now gone but...

I am now getting an error code indicating an internal thermal fuse is gone in teh dianostic unit (module)

Is there anywhere that I can get a cheap module unit, as they can be expensive.

I am also trying to fix / trace a problem (unrelated to the airbags) that the heater blower is not funtioning. Blower works fine as I pulled it out and tested it with a direct hookup to the battery and it runs full blast. So tonite I am hoping to figure if it is the + or ground that the blower is not receiving, I am hoping that the minus is missing as it would be an easy fix by just taping into the ground and running a new ground wire, but will see.

I also have to look at the molding around the driver seat belt as it was cracked during the air bag deployment incident, it is the molding on the wall between the front and back doors, hopefully can pick it up at the wreakers.