Message Control Center

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JERM

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The message control center in my 93 beeps 5 times pretty often. Is there any information or write ups on how to decode the message?
 
do you have an air bag light blinking? if the clock spring is broken that will trigger a beeping tone in the car, even if a light bulb burns out in the back of the message display button panel, a beep tone will go off.
 
No air bag light blinking, and the clock works. It beeps a total of 5 beeps then pauses, 5 times in a row every time i get in the car and sometimes while driving. It is really annoying!
 
clock spring is what supplies power to your steering wheel for cruise control and horn and allows the power to be sent through a connection allowing the steering wheel to be turned still without breaking an electrical connection. does your horn work? you also could have a defective air bag module, i had one burn up in my old 93 just out of the blue.
 
My horn does work but it sounds like a honda. Do these cars have 2 horns? If there is, it sounds like one is not working. My cruse control does not work but i havent had time to track down the problem. I will check fuses tomorrow.
 
Thanks Jamie, i will have to find out which one quit working. I will get back to you on the fuses. If i dont find any bad fuses, is there a way to check for a bad clock spring or should i just replace it anyway?
 
First, I'd check the air bag light bulb. If it's burned out or not there, it will cause a beep. When the light is working, and there is a problem with the circuit, it will blink a code to tell you if the clockspring is bad.

Then you can test the clockspring with a continuity tester:

Disconnect the battery for a few minutes, then remove the air bag and take the steering wheel off. Disconnect the wires to the clockspring and test it for open circuits.

It sounds like a bad clock spring to me too. I'd have a new one handy at that point.:D
 
i have plenty of good working tested clock springs for all years. i had to buy one for my 97 2 years ago when i changed my rack and spun the steering wheel forgetting to hook the steering shaft back up and broke my clock spring, at the time i didnt have one in my parts so i had to buy one from ford, it was 87 bucks, not sure what they are now. but i have good used ones.
 
Should the air bag light come on for a second when you start the car? If not, how exactly do you test if it is working?
 
Ok looks like the light is not coming on at all for the air bag. Is there any trick to get to the light bulb to replace it so i can get the code?
 
Ok, i got the message control center removed from the dash. I found electrical tape over the hole where the light bulb goes for the air bag, and the alarm i believe. I took the bulb from the OD and put it in the air bag hole. So now the air bag light is blinking like you guys said it would It blinks 4 times pauses 3 seconds and blinks 4 more times, then pauses for 5 seconds and repeats the light cycle. Would that be a bad clock spring?
 
My 94 manual says (I don't think the codes changed but I could be wrong here) 44= RH primary crash sensor not mounted to vehicle properly.

I'd take a look at it. Maybe it's just corroded where it's mounted?
 
JERM said:
Ok, i got the message control center removed from the dash. I found electrical tape over the hole where the light bulb goes for the air bag, and the alarm i believe.
Click to expand...

LOL, I find that hard to believe anyone would do such a stunt. :rolleyes:

DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 44


RH Radiator Primary Crash Sensor Not Mounted To Vehicle Properly


Normal Operation

The diagnostic monitor measures the resistance between Pin 20 (Circuit 618, P/LG) and Pin 3 (diagnostic monitor reference ground). If the diagnostic monitor measures a difference of more than 2.0 ohms between Pin 20 and Pin 3, it will flash out code 44.

Note that Circuit 618 (P/LG) is grounded to the side of the RH radiator primary crash sensor case and the case of the sensor is grounded to the vehicle at its mounting point.


Possible Causes

High resistance on Pin 20 (Circuit 618, P/LG) to ground can be caused by:

1. A poor connection due to loose mounting, dirt, or corrosion at the RH radiator primary crash sensor mounting location.

2. An open or damaged wire in Circuit 618 (P/LG) from Pin 20 of the diagnostic monitor harness connector to RH primary crash sensor.

3. An open circuit inside RH radiator primary crash sensor.
Click to expand...
 
JERM said:
Where is the crash sensor located at? Any pictures in the manual?
Click to expand...

On my '93 they are behind the grille, about at the inner edge of the headlamp, attached to the corners of the radiator support. They are small rectangular boxes about 2"x2"x3" - one for each side.
 
Ok so i found that both crash sensors were not mounted at all! So i mounted them but i am still getting the error. I didnt have time before it got dark to clean the connections so i will attempt that tomorrow. Which side is considered right side, driver or passenger? I assume it is the driver side. If cleaning the connections do not work, is it time to just buy a new sensor?
 
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